Honda Leasing Electric Fit to a Few Lucky Customers in US

Honda announced today that it will lease electric versions of the Fit to a few lucky customers in the US. Honda plans to produce 1,100 electric Fits over the next three years for lease at $399 per month. 

The Fit EV has a range of 123 miles of city use as judged by the EPA, but Honda predicts a 76 mile range in mixed city and highway driving. It is powered by a 92kW (123hp) electric motor with a 20kWh lithium-ion battery. The car uses a three-mode driving system adapted from the CR-Z that can be switched between normal, sport and econ modes. Econ mode increase the car's range by 17% over normal mode, while sport mode offers better acceleration. The Fit EV can be charged in three hours from a 240 volt outlet, and Honda will have a partner for a home charging system at the car's launch. 

The actual Fit EV is identical to a standard Fit except the seats sit higer to accomodate the under-floor battery. It will come only in blue with EV badges applied around the car. On the interior, the gauges have been changed to display battery level and display in red, green or white how you are driving. The car will also be connected to drivers' phones, so that they can view the state of charge or activate the air conditioing or heater while away from the car. It will also come with a navigation system with the location of charging stations pre-programmed.

The first locations to get the Fit EV will be Torrence, California, Google Inc in Mountian View, California, and Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Honda will keep tabs on leasees to research their behavior and usage of the car.  

If you are interested in entering the lottery to lease a Fit EV, you can enter at www.FitEV.Honda.com