Honda to halve electric cars' charging time to 15 minutes

Honda Motor plans to release in 2022 a selection of fully electric cars that can run 240km on a single 15-minute charge. Most electric vehicles now available take at least twice that long to reach an 80% charge even using a high-speed charger.

Key to this plan is developing a new type of high-capacity battery that can handle the ultra-quick charging. The carmaker sources batteries for its electric-gas hybrid vehicles from Panasonic and others, but plans to create the new batteries in collaboration with a partner to be chosen later. A lighter vehicle body and more efficient power control system will ensure the new cars can go farther on a single charge.

Before then, Honda plans to release mass-market electric vehicles in Europe in 2019 and in Japan the following year.

Fast chargers in Japan now provide a maximum output of 150kW, but industry plans call for raising that to 350kW starting in 2020. Europe is expected to have a network of several thousand 350kW charging stations by that year. Honda's next-generation electric vehicles will take advantage of this faster charging infrastructure.

Nissan Motor's new 2018 Leaf will also offer quicker charging times than the current model and range 30% longer -- more than 500km on a single charge. The automaker has a head start on Japanese rivals Honda and Toyota Motor in mass-market electric vehicles.

There were 470,000 electric vehicles on the world's roads in 2016, according to Tokyo-based research firm Fuji Keizai, making up 0.5% of the total. That share is expected to climb to only 4.6% by 2035. By offering faster charging and longer range, Honda hopes to give its electric cars an edge with everyday drivers.

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Honda's all-electric NSX 4-Motor EV is more advanced than any Tesla

Honda's head of research and development, Sekino Yosuke, has revealed the next-generation Honda NSX could be based on the firm’s 1,000 hp Pikes Peak race car, the NSX-inspired 4-Motor Acura EV Concept.

The 4-Motor Acura EV finished third overall at the Pikes Peak hill climb in 2016. That was thanks to its all-electric all-wheel-drive powertrain, comprising four electric motors that developed around 740 kW and 800 Nm of torque with a 70 kwh lithium-ion battery pack and a kerb weight of only 1,500 kg. Honda claims the electric NSX is capable of 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

With the current all wheel drive hybrid NSX having only been on sale since last year, an all-new NSX is unlikely to be launched before 2023, when battery technology is expected to have progressed significantly.

Honda first demonstrated a 4-Motor EV CR-Z prototype in 2015 with journalists who test drove the vehicle suggesting torque vectoring gave it cornering ability in a whole other league to a Model S.

While there's no denying Tesla, especially with ludicrous mode, have re-calibrated the auto-industry's definition of 'quick', it's probably less well known that Tesla's powertrain is actually based on 1990s technology with the 3 phase AC induction motor and controller designs originally licensed from EV1 drive system engineer Alan Cocconi.

Unlike current high performance all-wheel drive electric vehicles, like Tesla's Model S P100D, which use 2x electric motors and conventional mechanical differentials, Honda's electric NSX features four electric motors — one for each wheel.

With a dedicated motor at each corner, the Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system can precisely apply either positive or negative torque individually to each wheel. This opens the door to torque vectoring and full-time active yaw control - something that will make consumer EVs safer and more energy efficient.

How does this work? Imagine electronic stability control that, instead of applying friction brakes (wasted energy), applies negative torque (regenerative braking) to individual wheels. Unlike friction-brake based ESC, the NSX 4-Motor system can also apply positive torque to individual wheels. Not only that but positive and negative torque can be applied simultaneously across the vehicle adjusting pitch, roll, and yaw to accurately position the vehicle along any vector. Combining that range of precise control with a multi gyro inertial measurement platform unlocks an entirely new level of safety and high performance active dynamic control.

While it might be another 5-6 years before Honda's 4-Motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive makes it into production, the team at Evans Electric are developing an AWD torque vectoring system based on compact Axial flux induction motors.

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1,350 hp 4-motor SH-AWD NSX EV Concept to race @ Pikes Peak

Acura will field a pair of 2017 Acura NSX supercars in the 100th Anniversary of the running of the Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 26, marking the North American racing debut of Acura's next-generation NSX: the pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance and the only supercar made in America.

The two Acura NSX supercars will compete in the Time Attack 1 and 2 classes and will be piloted by brothers James and Nick Robinson, respectively, both from the company's North American engineering team. In addition, Acura will campaign an NSX-inspired prototype vehicle in the Electric Modified Class, featuring a further evolution of the experimental all-electric, 4-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) powertrain that won last year's Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class.

"Pikes Peak is like no other race in the world and offers a unique opportunity to showcase the power and performance of our products," said Jon Ikeda, vice president and general manager of the Acura Division. "We are excited for this year's 'Race to the Clouds' to test the endurance and engineering of the Acura NSX and our advanced powertrain technologies – as well as an expression of our racing spirit."

A team of North American R&D engineers has been working on both NSX entries, which feature the same three-motor Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive powertrain (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD) as the production NSX. This powertrain features a twin-turbo V6 engine mated to a 9-speed dual clutch transmission and Rear Direct Drive Motor, and a front Twin Motor Unit with a world's first electrically powered torque vectoring capability in the supercar realm. Modifications to the NSX competing in the Time Attack 1 class included chassis lightening and a custom high-flow racing exhaust.

The NSX competing in the Time Attack 2 class is a production car with the required safety equipment for competition. The Time Attack 1 NSX will be driven by James Robinson of the company's North American powertrain development group, who drove a first-generation NSX in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from 2012 to 2015. His brother Nick Robinson, an engineer in charge of the new NSX's dynamic performance during its development, will drive the Time Attack 2 NSX. Nick is also the reigning PP250 winner from the 2015 Pikes Peak Hill Climb.

The supercar-inspired 4-Motor EV Concept will be driven by Tetsuya Yamano, who campaigned last year's CR-Z-based electric prototype. The EV Concept is the ultimate embodiment of the all-wheel-drive Electric SH-AWD powertrain featuring a 4 motor torque vectoring powertrain similar to that used by Mitsubishi Motors MiEV Evolution III at Pikes Peak in 2014. The Electric SH-AWD powertrain, an evolution of the CR-Z prototype powertrain, produces three times the total system output of last year's electric prototype (an estimated 450 horsepower) Giving the NSX bodied version approx 1,350 hp.

As Official Pace Car sponsor, Acura will feature three pace cars – the NSX, the seven-passenger MDX performance-luxury SUV and the TLX sports sedan. President of Polyphony Digital and Producer of the Gran Turismo series Kazunori Yamauchi and Pikes Peak legends Randy Schranz and Leonard Vahsholtz will lead the field of 100 entrants to the top of the 14,115-foot Colorado peak.

For Pikes Peak race attendees, the NSX and other pace cars will appear at a number of pre-race activities, including the popular Fan Fest in downtown Colorado Springs, 5 to 10 p.m. MDT Friday, June 24.

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Honda NSX Hybrid to use turbocharged engine [VIDEO]

The Honda NSX will be powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, instead of the naturally aspirated V6 originally planned, according to internet reports.

The U-turn was revealed when the Japanese car manufacturer demonstrated a mock-up twin-turbo V6 unit during a media event on the eve of the Tokyo motor show.

Unlike the original NSX, the new model will have its powerplant mounted longitudinally instead of transversely. Two of the Honda NSX's perceived rivals - the McLaren 12C and Ferrari 458 Italia - both have their engines mounted longitudinally.

The engine, which will be completely unique to the NSX, is planned to be mated to Honda's SH-AWD (super handling all-wheel drive) system that uses a three-motor (one for each front wheel and a third one integrated into the engine as a motor generator) hybrid layout.

Putting the finishing touches to the powertrain will be a new dual-clutch transmission, but Honda officials are yet to finalise the number of ratios.

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Acura NSX Hybrid Prototype Laps Mid-Ohio Race Circuit [VIDEO]

It's not finished. But it is complete. The Acura NSX concept has moved to prototype and added an essential piece, a driver. The prototype NSX supercar took to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor DriveUnit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission and a third electric traction motor integrated within the transmission housing, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, "the synergy between man and machine," added Ito. "The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way."

Honda (UK) has opened a pre-order bank for the hotly anticipated supercar. For a deposit of £5,000 potential owners can be among the first in the UK to get behind the wheel of the brand new NSX when it hits showrooms in 2015.

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Toyota Nissan Honda & Mitsubishi co-operate to promote plug-in cars

Four of Japan's leading carmakers, including Toyota, today announced a plan to expand sales of next-generation green vehicles by co-operating on the development of electric charging stations.

Toyota, along with Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi, said there is a critical need to develop an infrastructure in Japan for vehicles that can be charged from a power point, such as plug-in hybrids and electric cars.

The carmakers said they will work with the Japanese Government to more than double the number of charging outlets to at least 4,000 quick chargers and 8,000 regular chargers.

They said an expanded charging network would maximise the electric-only driving performance and combined fuel economy of plug-in hybrids.

It would also enable motorists to extend the driving range of electric vehicles, which do not produce any tailpipe emissions.

Normal chargers would be installed in commercial facilities such as large shopping malls or highway service areas where motorists typically stopped for long periods.

Quick chargers would be installed for shorter-duration stops such as highway parking areas, convenience stores and fuel stations.

The carmakers will temporarily bear part of the installation and maintenance costs that are not covered by government subsidies of 100.5 billion yen ($1.1 billion) announced for 2013-14.

Their co-operation is based on an understanding that the charging infrastructure has public value and enhancing it should be done quickly during the limited period the subsidies are available.

The collaboration extends to car owners being able to use the same credit card for payment at all charging stations.

The Japanese government would like to see sales of these next-generation cars accounting for 15-20 per cent of new-car sales in 2020.

The four carmakers are committed to developing a more user-friendly charging infrastructure and to contributing to a society making maximum use of electric-powered vehicles.

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Acura NSX Prototype to Lap Mid-Ohio Prior to Honda Indy 200

Acura today released an image of a prototype NSX supercar, announcing that the running prototype will take to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The NSX prototype with custom graphics will lap the road course in advance of the race on August 4, 2013. The race will be broadcast live by NBC Sports Network starting at 3 p.m. EDT.

Global development of the NSX, slated for launch in 2015, is being led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio. Additionally, it was announced in May that the next-generation Acura supercar will be produced at the newly established Performance Manufacturing Center in nearby Marysville, Ohio.

The prototype model maintains the styling and proportions of the NSX Concept that debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, while packaging the production vehicle's mid-mounted V-6 engine mated to Acura's innovative new three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

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Plug-In EVs report strong June sales month in US

Electric vehicles had their strongest month in June this year as major automakers cut prices and added hefty incentives to boost sales.

General Motors reported sales jumped by 53 percent to 2,698 in June, up over the 1,760 in June 2012 after it offered incentives worth as much as $5,000 off 2012 models and $4,000 off 2013 models. For the first half of 2013, sales are up 11.8 percent.

Nissan said sales of its all-electric Leaf were up 315 percent over June 2012 to 2,225, for its second-best ever month. Nissan has now sold 9,849 in the first half of 2013, more than the 9,819 it sold in all of 2012. In January, Nissan said it was cutting the price of the entry-level Leaf 18 percent to $28,800 for the 2013 model as it launched U.S. production.

Honda had its best-ever month in June with 208 Fit EVs sold, after selling 83 in the first five months of the year. Honda announced in May that it has cut the monthly lease payment on its Fit EV from $389 to $259 and also is cutting the payment for those who already had leased the vehicle. Honda sold just 93 last year.

Honda started sales in July 2012 of the Fit EV and said it plans to sell just 1,100 over two years, citing capacity constraints. The company has 200 dealers selling the Fit EV and said it plans steadier availability. Honda spokeswoman Jessica Fini said after the lease price was cut, “basically everything on the ground sold,” but she emphasized that the company still has inventory to sell.

GM plans to keep the same incentives in place for at least another month. GM is offering $5,000 off the 2012, and $4,000 off the 2013, and a $269 lease for 36 months with $2,399 due at signing. More than 40 percent of Volts are sold in California, followed by Michigan in second.

Malcho said GM has increased its incentives to stay competitive in the electric vehicle market. The company also wants to clear out some inventory before it begins building 2014 Volts later this summer.

In January, Ford Motor Co. dropped the price of the lease for a Focus EV from about $350 a month to $285, plus $930 due at signing. Ford reduced the base price of the EV Focus by $2,000 to $37,995. But Ford EV sales have remained very modest. Ford sold 157 Focus EVs in May to 723 for the first five months of the year. By contrast Ford has sold 8,177 hybrids in the first five months of the year.

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Honda trims lease payment 30% for Electric Fit

Honda Motor Co. is trimming the lease price for its electric Fit hatchback by a third as the carmaker follows similar moves by General Motors Co. and Nissan Motor Co. to boost demand for plug-in models.

The monthly fee to lease a Fit EV for 36 months will drop to $259, from $389 previously, with no down payment, from June 1, Honda said today in a statement. Customers who’ve already leased one will pay the lower rate starting in June. The company also said it will provide a 240-volt charger at no cost with the lease, which includes collision insurance coverage.

With the changes, the car is “the only EV on the market with no down payment, unlimited mileage, collision coverage and a free home charging station,” said Steve Center, Honda’s U.S. vice president for environmental business development, in the statement.

While the rechargeable model from Tokyo-based Honda has better all-electric range than either GM’s Chevrolet Volt or Nissan’s Leaf hatchback, it trails both in U.S. deliveries since going on sale this year. Through April, Honda reported sales of just 68 Fit EVs compared with 5,500 Volts and 5,476 Leafs, according to market researcher Autodata.

GM and Nissan began low-priced lease promotions for their rechargeable models last year. Nissan is promoting a $199 per month lease payment for Leaf, with $1,999 down, according to the carmaker’s website. GM’s Volt plug-in hybrid is available for a $269 monthly lease with a $2,399 down payment.

Honda’s Fit EV is rated by the U.S. as averaging 82 miles per charge, compared with 75 miles for Leaf. Volt averages 38 miles per charge before a gasoline engine engages to power the car, giving it combined range of 380 miles, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Honda, with U.S. sales operations in Torrance, Calif., plans to deliver 1,100 Fit EVs in the car’s first two years.

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Honda Opens Pre-Order Book for All-Wheel-Drive Hybrid NSX Supercar [VIDEO]

The new NSX is already receiving unprecedented demand, so much so that Honda (UK) has opened a pre-order bank for the hotly anticipated supercar. For a deposit of £5,000 potential owners can be among the first in the UK to get behind the wheel of the brand new NSX when it hits showrooms in 2015.

Phil Crossman, Managing Director, Honda (UK), commented; “We are really pleased with the interest we’ve already seen for the new NSX. We are still two years away from the launch of the car and yet we’ve received over 20 deposits and that’s before we’ve even announced prices or seen the final production car. With this process in place we are confident demand will remain strong and early hand raisers can now visit any Honda dealership in the UK and place a deposit.”

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept was first unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in 2012 giving an indication of the design of the next great performance vehicle from Honda.

The NSX Concept features a low and wide stance with dynamic proportions highlighted by clean, modern and simple surfacing, and edgy details that communicate supercar attitude. While the interior package boasts outstanding visibility, a strong driving position, and an intuitive “Simple Sports Interface” that minimises interior clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the driving experience. Consistent with the spirit of the original NSX, Honda’s designers have strived to deliver synergy between man and machine.

The new NSX will aim to deliver a new sports car experience that combines supercar dynamic capabilities with advanced environmental performance. The NSX will be powered by a mid-mounted, direct-injected V6 engine mated to Honda’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) system. It will also utilise a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system so the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

The new NSX is being developed by a global R&D team led by designers and engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. located in Los Angeles, California, and Raymond, Ohio. The new NSX will also be manufactured at a new production facility in central Ohio.

The news of a pre-order bank follows in the footsteps of the previous NSX which saw 25 pre-orders being taken a year ahead of its UK launch. The first generation NSX was launched in 1990 and spent 15 years in production selling 18,000 units globally with 290 being sold to customers in the UK.

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Next Evolution Honda NSX Concept Debuts in Europe [VIDEO]

Honda presents the new Honda NSX Concept for the first time in Europe, highlighting the design and technology direction for the next-generation supercar.

The dynamically-styled NSX Concept gives an indication of the next great performance vehicle from Honda. Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the NSX Concept employs several new technologies, including an innovative new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, who was part of the development team of Honda's first NSX supercar, recently explained the values of the new NSX, "Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a supercar must respond positively to environmental responsibilities."

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine, the NSX Concept represents the true racing philosophy of an extremely favourable power-to-weight ratio.

Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor DriveUnit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission and a third electric traction motor integrated within the transmission housing, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, "the synergy between man and machine," added Ito. "The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way."

The new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years, will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio, USA and is targetted for true sports driving enthusiasts throughout the world.

NSX Concept Dimensions
Length, mm	4,330
Width, mm	1,895
Height, mm	1,160
Wheelbase, mm	2,575
Wheel size	19×9 (front), 20×10 (rear)
Tyre size	255/35R19 (front), 275/30R20 (rear)

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Honda Accord Plug-in Now Available in New York and California

Residents of California and New York state, or any one willing to go to either state, can now purchase the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid, a car that the company says is “the most fuel-efficient sedan in America.”

As of January 15 the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) went on sale at select Honda dealers, with a base price of $39,780.

With an EPA rating of 115 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), the Accord PHEV currently holds the MPGe lead among mid-size sedans, with Ford’s Fusion Energi PHEV rated next highest at 100 MPGe.

In addition to being Honda’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Accord Plug-In is the first production car in the U.S. to meet the new, more stringent LEV3/SULEV20 emissions standard, and will also qualify for single-occupant carpool-lane access in California.

The 2014 Accord PHEV is powered by an all-new Honda two-motor hybrid system utilizing a 124-kilowatt (kw) electric motor that also acts like a continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) mated to a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. A 6.7-kilowatt-hour (kwh) lithium-ion (li-Ion) battery provides power in all-electric mode, and regenerative braking is handled by an all-new electric-servo braking system.

Drivers will have the option to manually select from the default start-up all-electric mode to hybrid mode.

The plug-in Accord can be fully charged from a low-charge indication point in less than three hours using the supplied 120-volt charger when plugged into a standard 120-volt household electrical outlet, and in less than one hour using a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

Honda’s smartphone app, HondaLink EV will allow owners to remotely monitor the charging state of the car.

Source: Honda

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Honda Unveils Micro-sized Electric Vehicle "Micro Commuter Prototype"

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Micro Commuter Prototype, a micro-sized short distance EV commuter. This vehicle was developed in consideration of the vehicle categories for micro-sized mobility products that are currently being discussed under the initiative of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan as well as for the regulations for the L7 category in Europe.

Using vehicles based on this prototype model, Honda will begin demonstration testing in Japan in 2013. The demonstration testing will verify the potential of the vehicle in various uses including supporting everyday short-distance transportation for families with small children and for senior citizens, home delivery services, commuting and car sharing.

Advancing the Micro Commuter Concept that was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show 2011, this prototype model realized a cabin space to seat one driver and two children in the micro-sized body.

The adoption of the Variable Design Platform positions components such as the battery, motor and control unit under the floor and in the rear space to concentrate the vehicle driving functions into a compact space. This made it comparatively easier to develop and produce a body and interior that accommodates various uses and customers' needs than existing vehicles.

Other features of this model include the use of a user-owned tablet device for the application of functions such as meter display, navigation, audio and back-up camera display, and the ability to charge the battery of the tablet using solar cells mounted on the vehicle roof. Moreover, Honda is continuing research of onboard solar cells to provide solar energy to assist the driving.

Furthermore, through collaboration with the Honda Smart Home System (HSHS) that has already begun demonstration testing in the city of Saitama in Japan, Honda is planning to verify the CO2 reduction effect from the optimized energy management in everyday life and the values this vehicle can provide for customers when it is used not only as an EV but also as a household battery.

Striving to continue proposing next-generation mobility products which expand the joy and fun of mobility while minimizing the environmental footprint, Honda will remain committed to proactive research and development of such technologies and products.

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Cumulative Worldwide Sales of Honda Hybrids Reaches 1 Million Units

Honda announced that its cumulative worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles surpassed 1 million units as of the end of September 2012. This milestone was reached 12 years and 11 months after the start of sales of the first generation Insight in Japan November 1999, which realized fuel economy of 35km/liter then the world's highest fuel economy among all mass-production gasoline-powered vehicles.

Capitalizing on the unique features of Honda’s original lightweight and compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, Honda has been enhancing its hybrid vehicle lineup and currently sells eight hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world.

In May of this year, Honda began production of hybrid models in regions outside of Japan with production of the Acura ILX Hybrid in the USA followed by production of the Jazz Hybrid which began in Thailand in July of this year. Moreover, Honda is also planning to begin production of the Jazz Hybrid in Malaysia in 2012 to deliver hybrid vehicles with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions for customers in Asia where demand for fuel efficient vehicles is expected to grow in the future.

In addition to further advancing the current hybrid model offerings equipped with the one-motor IMA hybrid system, Honda will introduce new hybrid vehicles for mid-size models which will be equipped with a two-motor hybrid system. Furthermore, for the pursuit of excellence in driving performance, a highly-efficient and high-output three-motor hybrid system, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), which realizes both a high level of sporty handling and fuel economy, will be applied to the NSX and Acura RLX, as well as the successor model of the Legend which is scheduled to be introduced in Japan.

Under the global environmental slogan of "Blue Skies for Our Children," Honda will continue its efforts to realize the further market penetration of hybrid vehicles to realize a low carbon society.

Year	Month / Model introduced to the market	Honda's cumulative worldwide hybrid vehicle sales
1999	November: First generation Insight
2001	December: Civic Hybrid
2004	December: Accord Hybrid (North America only)
2005		April: 100,000 units
2007		May: 200,000 units
2009	February: Second generation Insight	August: 400,000 units
2010	February: CR-Z October: Fit Hybrid	December: 600,000 units
2011	June: Fit Shuttle Hybrid (Japan only) October: Freed Hybrid (Japan only) Freed Spike Hybrid (Japan only)	December: 800,000 units
2012	May: Acura ILX Hybrid (USA, Canada only)	September: 1,000,000 units

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Honda Begins Lease Sales of Fit EV in Japan

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.

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)

*1 Honda internal research (as of the end of August 2012)
*2 Calculated 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.
*3 Time required to charge the battery to 80% of capacity after the low battery power warning light comes on.
*4 Time required to fully charge the battery after the low battery power warning light comes on.

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Honda Fit EV Test Drive | Translogic 106 [VIDEO]

Honda hasn't been shy about rolling out alternative fuel vehicles, including natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid cars.

But now the automaker is jumping into the electric game with a familiar name. AOL Translogic show drive the 2013 Honda Fit EV, a car that seeks to pair the "fun to drive" characteristics of the original with an emissions-free powertrain.

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Honda Fit EV available for lease in US from July [VIDEO]

The battery-electric vehicle market is about to grow by one model with the introduction of the Honda Fit EV to California and Oregon starting on July 20. Honda promises Fit EV availability will be expanded to six East Coast markets starting in early 2013. This staged rollout to strategic early-adopter markets has been employed by other automakers in rolling out alternative-propulsion models, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Customers in those two West Coast markets interested in getting into the EV version of Honda’s acclaimed compact should be prepared to fork over $389 a month for a 36-month lease. Although that figure is higher on its face that some other leases on similar models such as the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, that figure is a zero-down lease, whereas the Leaf and Mitsubishi i electric require a down payment as part of the lease. On its face, the least-desirable deal is on the Ford Focus Electric, which is $439 a month, and also adds a $2490 down payment, $595 acquisition fee, and $3524 due at signing. Like the deal for the Volt, the Fit EV lease is a closed-end lease, and the car cannot be purchased at the end of the term.

What your monthly payment gets you is the current highest-rated fuel efficiency rating granted by the EPA, a significant 118 MPGe, topping the Focus EV’s 105 MPGe combined rating, as well as the Mitsubishi i’s 112 MPGe, and the Leaf’s 99 MPGe. The EPA recently announced a combined efficiency figure of 89 MPGe for the high-performance Tesla Model S luxury sedan. However, the Fit EV’s modest 82-mile range can’t match the Model S’s 265-mile range with its optional 85-kWh battery pack.

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Honda Fit EV gets highest EPA fuel economy rating - 118 MPG

Honda says its 2013 Fit EV has received the highest fuel efficiency rating ever from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Japanese automaker says the subcompact electric car received a combined adjusted mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 mpg.

The Fit consumes 29 kilowatt hours of electricity per 100 miles and has an EPA rated annual fuel cost of $500.

With such an efficient drivetrain, the Fit EV's 20-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery provides the capacity to earn an EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles, allowing the Fit EV to surpass the EPA efficiency and range ratings of the Ford Focus Electric (105 MPGe, 76-mile range), Nissan Leaf (99 MPGe, 73-mile range), and Mitsubishi i-MiEV (112 MPGe, 62-mile range).

The Fit EV's exceptionally efficient design – encompassing everything from savvy powertrain design, weight-conscious engineering and effective aerodynamics – makes the most of the Fit EV's smaller battery. Additionally, the Fit EV battery can be recharged in less than 3 hours from a low charge indicator illumination point when connected to a 240-volt circuit.

"Just as important as the industry-leading fuel-efficiency and fast recharging time, as a Honda, the 2013 Fit EV will be an absolute kick to drive," said Steve Center, vice president of the American Honda Environmental Business Development Office.

The Fit EV's 92 kilowatt (123 horsepower) coaxial electric motor generates 189 ft-lb of torque, and is teamed to a chassis with a fully-independent suspension and a driver-selectable 3-mode electric drive system adapted from the CR-Z Sport Hybrid.

The key to maximizing energy efficiency is Honda’s new regenerative braking system. The Fit EV features an electric braking system that uses an electric motor to directly drive the pump that serves the brake fluid.

This system has very high accuracy. This means more efficiency. It’s more faithful to the brake input from the driver. [Honda estimates that the servo-based system increasing efficiency by at least 5 percent.]

When you take your foot off the accelerator, you immediately have a little bit of regenerative braking. Then, you put your foot on the brake—and if you look at the curve on the hydraulic system, it goes up very sharply. But if you look at the yellow zone in the graph, [in the old system] the regeneration doesn’t go up as sharply and it’s delayed. The idea of the new system is to bring the regenerative yellow zone closer to the hydraulic response.

The first part of the slope is very similar to the hydraulic. Then, as you start reaching the regeneration limit, the slope gradually slows down a little and reaches the limit after what the hydraulic system can do. After that, you can keep regeneration system at the highest level longer than the current system. And just before you stop, the drop is even sharper than the old regeneration system.

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Honda Delivers 2013 Fit EV to Google and Stanford University

Honda recently delivered 2013 Fit EV battery-electric vehicles to Google Inc. and Stanford University as a part of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program. Along with the city of Torrance, Calif., each participant is now conducting general testing as well as providing specific feedback related to the future introduction of electric vehicles. The Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program participants are the first recipients of the 2013 Fit EV in the United States.

“The goal of the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program is to better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with the advancement in battery-electric technology,” said Steve Center, vice president of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda. “Honda has a long history with electric vehicles beginning with the introduction of our first battery-electric car, the EV Plus, nearly 15 years ago. Honda’s experience and the unique feedback that Google, Stanford University and the city of Torrance will provide will be valuable to the future introduction of battery-electric technology.”

Honda debuted the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced plans to begin leasing the 123 city-mile per charge (76 mile range combined adjusted city/highway)1 battery-electric commuter vehicle to customers in select California and Oregon markets during the summer of 2012 with a rollout to east coast markets planned for Spring 2013. Equipped with a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery and 92- kW coaxial electric motor, the Fit EV battery can be fully recharged in as little as 3 hours when connected to a 240-volt circuit.

Google Inc.

The delivery of the Fit EV to Google Inc. was marked by an employee ride and drive. Nearly 100 ‘Googlers’ took the Fit EV for a spin around the Google Mountain View, Calif., campus. Google will now use the Fit EV as a part of its G-Fleet, an employee car-sharing service that features numerous plug-in vehicles. Google’s participation in the Honda Electric Vehicle Demonstration Program will involve analysis of vehicle usage including CO2 reduction, energy consumption on a miles/kWh basis and overall energy cost.

Stanford University Automotive Research

Over the past year, Honda has collaborated Stanford University professors, researchers and students from several departments including Mechanical Engineering and Psychology through various seminars and classes. The year-long collaboration resulted in a research direction on how to study the psychological and physical reactions of using battery-electric vehicles and how these reactions differ when driving a traditional gasoline-powered vehicle.

With the Fit EV now at Stanford, the research team will use both the battery-electric vehicle and a gasoline-powered Fit to test their theories. Successful methodology implementation will yield a goal of not only decreasing anxiety associated with new technology, but also increasing joy in the driving experience. Ultimately, the research results will help Honda to better understand customer acceptance of battery-electric vehicles and how to overcome physiological obstacles associated with the adoption of new technologies.

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All-New HONDA NSX CONCEPT to Be Revealed at 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Honda today revealed its 2012 Geneva Motor Show line-up with 2 Sports Car Concepts, a prototype of the European CR-V as well as the debut of the all-new 1.6 Diesel engine all appearing on the Honda stand.

Highlighting the design and technology direction for Honda's next generation supercar, the NSX Concept features a V6 mid-mounted engine and will employ a range of new technologies including the innovative Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel DriveTM) hybrid system.

The Honda EV-STER, an electric rear wheel drive two-seater open sports car, features dynamic and innovative styling with excellent environmental performance will also make its European debut at the show.

Honda will also present the European CR-V Prototype, a preview model highlighting the exterior styling direction of the all-new fourth generation European Honda CR-V, set to go on sale in Autumn 2012.

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