dashrear viewfront viewhov stickerfront seatremoteback seat
OwnerEd Thorpe
Owner's Other EVs2000 Corbin Sparrow
2001 Xootr eX3
1993 Kewet EL-JET3
1973 Aurenthetic Charger
1998 Ford Ranger EV
1974 Fiat Bertone X1/9
2012 Yikebike Fusion
LocationAlameda, California United States map
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Vehicle1998 Honda Evplus
(OEM Electric)
* Taken out of service by Honda on Sept 2002 *
MotorHonda Brushless DC
3 phase, 49 kW, 66 HP at 1700-8750 RPM, torque 275 Nm / 203 foot pounds at 0-1700 RPM
Drivetrain1-speed, direct-drive (automatic-like forward/reverse)
ControllerHonda PCM
power control module
Batteries24 Panasonic EV Energy EV-95, 12.00 Volt, Nickel-Metal Hydride
95 Ah, in a fully enclosed 28.8 kWh nominal battery capacity pack, 449kg/990lb, water cooled
System Voltage288 Volts
Charger
on board high-frequency switching, 1.1 kW at 120 VAC, 4.8 kW at 240 VAC, Avcon level 2 conductive charging (with 120 VAC portable connector)
HeaterVariable-speed heat pump for passengers, batteries water cooled/heated
DC/DC ConverterHonda
for 12 Volt auxilary battery
InstrumentationDigital display with 10 horizontal bars to signify 10% increments, horiz. length determining remaining range based on driving history.
Top Speed86 MPH (138 KPH)
governed
Range100 Miles (160 Kilometers)
80 miles freeway, 120 miles city, down to 80% DOD, verified. Max driven on single charge was 108 miles for a distance Rally. Driven several 150+ mile days through multiple recharges.
EV Miles
Current:89,000 Miles (143,201 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight3,590 Pounds (1,631 Kilograms)
TiresDunlop
Additional Features1.) electric variable power-assisted steering
2.) automatic, high-efficiency climate control (AC / heat / defrost)
3.) multi-function remote with 4-levels battery status, pre-heat/pre-cool, keyless
entry, arms/disarms security system
4.) grade-sensitive regenerative braking with ABS
5.) dual airbags, 3-point seat belts in all seats
6.) power windows, door locks, mirrors
7.) AM/FM/CD with 4 speakers
Note: This vehicle was for lease only, never for sale. Honda's leasing program ended in 2002. The vehicle no longer exists, after it was returned to Honda in Sept 2002.

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1.) electric variable power-assisted steering
2.) automatic, high-efficiency climate control (AC / heat / defrost)
3.) multi-function remote with 4-levels battery status, pre-heat/pre-cool, keyless entry, arms/disarms security system
4.) grade-sensitive regenerative braking with ABS
5.) dual airbags, 3-point seat belts in all seats
6.) power windows, door locks, mirrors
7.) AM/FM/CD with 4 speakers

Very practical commute car, able to maintain 65+ mph diamond-lane freeway driving (2.5 years) 51,000+ miles on first battery pack, before capacity dropped to 80%. In 2.7 years have 56,000 all-electric miles. As on Jan 2002 (3-1/2 years), have driven 120700 km/75,000 miles all-electric miles.

During most of second and third year, was mostly commuting about 175 km/110 miles/day or about 965 km/600 miles/week. Recharging during the workday at work. All recharging at 240V.

First battery pack lasted about 82000 km/51,000 miles before suddenly dropping to 80% of capacity. Second pack must have had bad cells, lasted only about 22500 km/14,000 miles before similar drop. Was able to switch to current third pack before end of standard 36 month lease. Now on 18 month lease extension, until end of Honda's program in Dec 2002. Hope to be able to log 161000 km/100,000 miles before end of program.

In service June 1998 - Sept 2002. (Nov 2002 update).
Turned the Honda back in a couple months ago, before end of lease in Dec 02, because of range reduction. Had capacity of 3rd pack drop to 80% in June and lived with it since. But getting tired of long charges and ever-reducing range. Ended up with almost 89,000 miles (just a few files short) in just over 4 years (June 98 - Sept 02) - with a total of about 4+ months of in-the-shop due to battery swaps and charger(inverter) replacement.

Wonderful car, would have loved to get the battery pack problem resolved. Unfortunately, since the pack is environmentally sealed (water cooled), if one cell or battery goes bad, the whole pack is affected. (This is a big advantance for RAV4 EV, where each battery is separately servable.)

Times in "limp" mode: 5
Max daily drive: ~150 miles
(2 partial recharges and still getting home with reserve)
Top speed driven: 84 mph
Typical commute: 35 mile freeway, diamond lane at 70-75 mph
Single charge round-trip cities (from Alameda): Vallejo, San Rafael, San Bruno, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Livermore, Concord/Clayton (all less than 45 miles one-way, mostly freeway). San Jose gets to be a stretch.

Most fun Transporting the whole family in quiet EV smoothness. Commuting the diamond lane with or without passengers. Giving demonstration rides for neighbor's entire Cub Scout troup (4 different trips, great expressions). Participating in Spare-the-Air and other outreach events. years, to show the progression. Not having talked up the benifits of EVs early on to encourage others to lease an EVplus (could have really gotten Honda's inventory on the road sooner). Unable to convince the local Costco (San Leandro) over the 4 years to modify their EV parking to include Avcon (only once saw an EV1 using one of the Magnachargers).

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