Radically High Efficiency Vehicle
June 8th, 2012 by 
Once upon a time 10 miles per gallon for a car was fairly normal. The 2013 Honda Fit EV (Electric vehicle), has received a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPG(equivalent), and an unprecedented low consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles. With an EPA rated annual fuel cost of only $500 , the fun-to-drive 2013 Honda Fit EV can help consumers get more miles for each dollar. The Fit EV is a part of Honda’s portfolio approach, which includes the development of battery- electric, hydrogen, natural gas, and gasoline-electric powered vehicles, to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce C02 emissions.
In 2006, Honda became the first automaker to announce voluntary CO2 emissions reduction targets for its global fleet of automobile, power sports and power equipment products and its global network of manufacturing plants. Today, the company is striving for even greater reductions in CO2 emissions that contribute to global climate change, while also working to minimize waste, water use and the total environmental footprint of its operations worldwide.
The next best model is a Mitsubishi i-MiEV at 112 mpg followed by a Ford Focus Electric at 105.
Honda credits the Fit EV’s range and efficiency to the car’s lightweight design, aerodynamic exterior and savvy powertrain, which includes a 92 kW electric motor sourced from the FCX Clarity that generates 189 ft-lb or torque. The car also has a fully independent suspension and an electric drive system that’s been adapted from the Honda CR-Z. That, says Honda’s Environmental Business Development Office VP Steve Center, makes it “an absolute kick to drive.”
The Mitsubishi i — known everywhere else as the i-MiEV — came out on top when the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy crunched the numbers. To calculate ratings, the bean counters considered manufacturing and recycling processes in addition to fuel economy and tailpipe emissions. Of course, we all know the greenest car is the one you already own and rarely use, but these rankings can help if you’re in the market for something new.
Honda debuted the 2013 Fit EV at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and announced plans to begin leasing the battery-electric commuter vehicle to customers in select California and Oregon markets during the summer of 2012, followed by an East Coast roll out in 2013.
For further information see Honda or Fit.
Article appearing courtesy Environmental News Network.
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Tags:  Climate Change commuter vehicle efficiency epa Honda tailpipe emissions | [ Permalink ] |
Another noteworthy innovation in the world of EVs is the BMW ActiveE.
While it’s still in its “trial phase”, many of the test owners are starting to write about their experiences with the car (here’s a link to a blog written by one such test driver: http://bit.ly/KvDxC2).
Any thoughts out there about how the ActiveE will compare to the Fit EV?