2012 HONDA Fit EV 1AT (123 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Following its quest to gain experience in EV construction, Honda introduced an electric-only Fit on the U.S. market in 2012.

Honda already had a large experience in producing electric vehicles but still tried to find some ways to gather more information and adjust its strategy. That’s why it placed its bets on the Fit EV, which was produced in just 1,100 units. In addition, it was available only for a lease program. Thus, the cars returned to Japan, and the engineers checked what was good and where they needed to improve things.

From the outside, the Fit EV looked almost like a regular Fit or Jazz for European customers. The main difference was at the front. Instead of the upper grille, mounted above the bumper, Honda placed a chromed trim that looked like a smile and connected the headlights. In addition, a lower, broader air dam found its way into the apron. That was needed to cool the motor, located at the front and the rear-mounted battery pack.

Inside, at first sight, it was the same regular Fit. Yet, there was a difference for the rear passengers. The floor was flat but raised to accommodate the 20kWh battery pack. Since the automaker moved the rear seats a little bit more to the back, the Fit EV offered the same amount of legroom for the EV and for the IAC versions alike.

Under the hood, Honda installed a 92 kW motor that sent its power to the front wheels. It was fed by a 20 kWh battery pack mounted inside the car’s floor, towards the rear.