TOKYO, Japan, August 31, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today began lease sales of the Fit EV to local governments and businesses in Japan.
The Fit EV, comprehensively pursuing the potential of electric vehicles, origins back to the EV Plus that was introduced in 1997 for lease sales. In this new electric vehicle, Honda applies its latest technologies and ideas cultivated through research and development of electric mobility products including electromotive powertrain technologies used for the latest hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles.
The Fit EV was developed as an electric vehicle that is fun to drive, yet can be used smartly. The development team adopted two key words - “Fun” and “Mottainai” (no waste) - and strived to 1) create a vehicle with greater range requiring less battery capacity, 2) further pursue motor drive performance, and 3) eliminate any waste of time during battery charging and other areas.
To achieve these points, Honda adopted a basic package of the Fit with its compact body size and occupant comfort and planned the maximization of the energy efficiency of EV. As a result, the Fit EV has achieved world's best*1 AC energy consumption rate*2 of 106 Wh/km and one-charge mileage of 225 km in JC08 mode. Furthermore, the Fit EV features functions to charge the battery or obtain information through the information and communication system.
Honda plans to lease approximately 200 units of the Fit EV in the next two years, mostly to local governments and businesses.
- *1Honda internal research (as of the end of August 2012)
- *2Calculated based on the traveling distance and the amount of AC energy (alternating-current power) required to charge the battery. The AC energy consumption rate used for the calculation was measured under the conditions required in Japan, and the actual rate will vary depending on the environment where the vehicle is used and how the vehicle is driven.
Fit EV (Japanese version)
Lease sales plan (in Japan, for next 2 years):
approximately 200 units
Key specifications of the Fit EV (Japanese version)
| Number of occupants | 5 |
| Motor | Gearbox coaxial motor |
| Maximum motor output Maximum motor torque |
92 kW 256 N・m (26.1 kgf・m) |
| EV range per charge*2 | 225 km (JC08 mode) |
| Maximum speed | 144 km/h |
| Battery | 20 kWh Lithium-ion battery (made by Toshiba, to be installed underneath the floor) |
| Maximum output of the battery | 100 kW |
| AC energy consumption rate*2 | 106 Wh/km (JC08 mode) |
| Charge time | Rapid charger: Approximately 20 min*3 200 V: Approximately 6 hours*4 |
| Price | ¥4,000,000 (including taxes) |
- Body color (one color): Reflection Blue Pearl (new color)
- Interior color (one color): Light Gray
- *3Time required to charge the battery to 80% of capacity after the low battery power warning light comes on.
- *4Time required to fully charge the battery after the low battery power warning light comes on.
[Key features of the Fit EV]
The World's best electric energy consumption performance*1 achieved as a result of the comprehensive pursuit of efficiency
Excellent energy consumption performance such as the AC energy consumption rate of 106 Wh/km and EV range per charge of 225 km (both measured in JC08 mode) were achieved as a result of 1) an increase in the efficiency of the powertrain, 2) reduction of charge/discharge loss achieved through advancement of the battery, 3) improved rolling resistance achieved through the downsizing and weight reduction of the powertrain and improvement in the vehicle aerodynamics and tire performance, 4) an increase in the braking energy recovery rate with a newly-developed electric servo brake system.
Newly-developed electric servo brake system significantly increases energy regeneration
In a regenerative braking system, the motor functions as a generator during braking and converts braking torque into electricity that is stored back into the battery. Honda developed a new electric servo brake system which is capable of efficiently recovering more braking energy by making the components that operate the brake pedal and actual brake unit independent of each other. For the component that applies the brakes, a brushless motor, reduction gear and a ball screw were adopted to achieve high-precision fluid-pressure control and quick response. As a result, it became possible to recover braking energy from the very beginning of braking until right before the vehicle comes to a stop, which was difficult to achieve with a conventional regenerative system using a hydraulic brake booster. This brake system increased the amount of regenerative energy by approximately 8%. Furthermore, the newly-developed servo brake system achieves natural braking even when the allocation of motor torque deceleration and fluid-pressure braking changes.
Compact and high-output drive motor
For the driving motor, the same coaxial structure as the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle, with the driving motor and gearbox sharing the same axle, was adopted to downsize the unit and realize high output leading to dynamic acceleration performance with maximum output of 92 kW and maximum torque of 256 N・m.
Three-mode drive system further broadens Fit EV's fun-to-drive spirit
Three-mode electric drive system enables the driver to select from three different driving tastes - Sport mode for dynamic driving performance, Normal mode for the ideal balance between driving performance and eco-driving, and Econ mode for the fun of extending the driving range. The driver can enjoy clearly different characteristics for each mode due to the integrated control of motor output, acceleration response and air conditioning operation.
Lithium-ion battery with excellent durability and safety
As a result of the comprehensive evaluation of durability, safety and the ability to receive regenerative energy, the SCiB™ lithium-ion battery from Toshiba Corporation was adopted for the Fit EV. For battery temperature management, battery modules with a lower metal case sealed with a plastic cover are lined up and fixed to a position underneath the floor with two cooling fans located behind the battery pack. This prevents the temperature increases beyond the upper limit even with repeated driving and recharging, and therefore avoided power reductions due to the increase in battery temperature and improved durability for long-term use.
Unique Fit packaging which realizes both spaciousness and ease of handling
Spatial efficiency was comprehensively pursued by positioning every part in a consolidated manner rather than dispersed in various areas. For instance, the coaxial motor and gearbox as well as the PCU (Power Control Unit) are consolidated and positioned in the front.
Aerodynamic performance achieves same Cd value level as a sedan
Taking advantage of an EV that generates less heat, the size of the front opening for cooling was minimized. In addition, aerodynamics was pursued throughout the vehicle including a flat under floor and a rear bumper shape that ensures smooth airflow underneath the body.
Exterior design pursues emotional driving and aerodynamic performance
- The super-forward form of the Fit, where front pillars are pushed forward, was fused together with aerodynamic design. The front view expresses a futuristic feeling with a plated grill combined with a front bumper leading to the headlights, a design inherited from the image of the FCX Clarity, giving this vehicle an identity as Honda's green car.
- The smoothly extended front nose and newly-formed rear spoiler further advanced the one-motion form of the Fit. For the lower body, a sharp image was expressed through the adoption of a fin shape that extends out of the side of the body and the design which curls toward the bottom of the vehicle.
- The bold shape of the edge emphasizes the wide stance of the vehicle, and the rear bumper and large-sized rear spoiler realize the dynamic rear view.
Interior design pursues the clean and advanced feel unique to EVs
- In consideration of the environment, bio-PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which includes a sugar cane-derived substance as a raw material, was adopted for the first time by Honda to be used for seats and door lining. Bio-PET offers the same performance and texture as the conventional PET, but contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions as plant-derived material and does not involve competition with food.
- Exclusively designed meters were adopted which express advanced EV driving. Key information such as speed and range are consolidated in the central part. Advanced EV driving is expressed with the digital speedometer display as well as the ambient meter which changes colors depending on drive mode setting and acceleration/braking operations.
The new refrigerant (HFO-1234yf) was adopted for the Fit EV to the refrigerant of the air-conditioner for the first time in Japan*1
The Fit EV has adopted the new refrigerant (HFO-1234yf) which reduced global warming potential*5 in less than 1/350 of refrigerant (HFC-134a) conventionally for the first time in Japan. Honda is going to escalate the application of this new refrigerant from a green car sequentially in future.
- *5The coefficient to express the effect of an unit weight of the material in atmosphere concerned gave in global warming with a relative value of the CO2 as 1.
Interactive EV remote control enables quick operations near the vehicle
The Fit EV features an interactive remote control which is convenient for near-distance operations between the living room and garage. With the remote, the user can check vehicle information such as remaining battery charge and cabin temperature and turn on/off the re-charging function and air conditioning unit.
EV telematics enables various long-distance communications and operations
By downloading the exclusive Fit EV application to smart phones, users can obtain vehicle information and remote control from distant locations. In addition to the same functions available for the interactive EV remote control, users can check vehicle information such as remaining range and the connection of the re-charging cable, as well as setting timers (for re-charging and air conditioning unit).