Just picked up a '13 EV this past weekend. With the crazy cheap lease deal it is essentially a free car for me since I spend more that the $259 per month on gas.

I build hot rods, customs and motorcycles so this will not remain stock. What I need to figure out is if the suspension and wheels are the same as the regular Fit models. I'd like to start by changing both of those.

Thanks for any info!

 

So far I can tell you that NO they are not!

I got a chance to look into one in detail at a pre opening of a big car show.

I took a ton of pics, can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=6c214742ac

Main changes I noticed:

1. The EV has a 5lug bolt pattern (5x114.3?) while the standard Fit is a 4x100 pattern.

2. The EV has a fully independent rear suspension to support the weight of the batteries compared to the torsion beam rear axle of a GE model Fit. I took a fair number of pics of that in the above link.

I was able to confirm the OEM EV rims are 15x6. If you can confirm the offset and bolt pattern, then you can go forward from there...

Also, a quick Google of the rear suspension... the shock part# MIGHT be the same from the EV and the 2013 Fit...

 

Well that's a big DUH on my part on the five lug thing.

 

Hmm.... If your in the general Bay Area of Nor Cal, 1 Check out our local Fit club on Facebook, HellaFit!

2. Come to an upcoming meet and get a comparison in person!!!

 

Heck yeah! That would be cool!

 

SWEET!!!

We have one other local with an EV but he is a BMW guy and busy with that club

Our next big event is a 6/15 cruise to a big BBQ and meet in Santa Cruise. Would LOVE if you can make that... denno about your range though....

There are several of us local though if you want to meet up, and shoot car talk over a popped hood or under a bumper...

 

Noticed the AutoCross pics there. My company hosts AutoCross, but it's domestic only.

 

Haha... Closest thing we own in my family to a domestic is a Subaru that was assembled in the USA... But that's what happens when your parents tinker with old British junk

I bet the EV would be FUN in AutoX with all the tq available right away in the low end

 

Hopefully I can figure out the rear suspension so I can get it closer to the ground.

I'm thinking I'm the only EV owner here.

 

The setup looks like the Integra so that should work for thed wheels but springs likely difgferent due to weight and necessary dspring rate.

 

They're only leasing now, aren't they?

I would've gone for one but the dealership I ended up buying at basically didn't want to deal with them. Honda says they're who I should go to for the Fit-EV, but they claim ignorance.

 

Only way to get a Fit EV is from a Honda dealer that is authorized to lease them!

KIRK!

Rear suspension should be NO problem. A set of Ground Control "coil over sleeves," effectively an adjustable spring perch, should do the trick. The rear is not THAT complicated. Just take some measurements and with some maths you can estimate pundages for the generic springs. I have a few extra sets, and I know plenty local AutoX'rs with spring sets laying about!!!

 

yeahbut your neighbors are gonna question their electricity bill sooner or later...

@ $4/gal and $259/mo for gas that's 65 gallons of gas, or about 2,000 miles per month (some feat in an electric, but ok). This assumes you're going from a 30mpg gasoline Fit to the electric version.

With an 80 mile range and a 20kwH battery that's about 4 miles per kwH. (that's generous as some will go in the air as waste heat).

2,000 miles will require 500kwH per month

The cost of a kwH in CA is $0.20

So the monthly electric bill attributable to your FitEV would be $100 (compared to a $259 gasoline bill) saving $159 compared to a similar sized gasoline vehicle. Not free but interesting. Unless of course your neighbors don't notice.

Of course, if you're going from a gas-hog to the Fit your savings would be more than $159, but a lot of that would be due to driving a smaller car.

edit: does honda pay for the 220v charging station? How much did that cost you? How many months is the lease?

 

I was reading about the EV this week... Honda dropped the price to $199/month for 36 mo. and they include the charging station (install extra)... iirc...


Nice deal, was thinking of getting one just for fun... but the distance isn't enough.

Post up pics..

 

Fit Sport @ $18,000 will depreciate 17% over 3 years costing $3,060.

FitEV lease @ $199/mo will cost $7164 over the same period.

If we discount the charging station install to -0- (I'm guessing it's a $600 electrician fee, but in some states it's a simple DIY) and add in gasoline engine maintenance of $200/yr (high) we're talking about a higher cost for the electric (besides fuel) of $3,500.

If we swag the fuel cost saving at $159/mo (high) $5,724 for 3 years, so you end up $2,200 better off (savings) on the electric. Estimated fuel savings are high, and the install for the charging station isn't free, but adjusting for these I think you come out slightly ahead doing electric. That's better than I expected. Am I missing something? Oh yeah, the lease was $259, not $199. That added $60 per month comes to $2,160 over 3 years. Still it's about break even if you squint your eyes. Part of the problem is the Fit gas version is so cheap to own/run.

What kind of car did you give up for this, capn? Do the chicks fawn over the electric Fit?

 

huh, you're one of a kind driving a EV with your background.

 

Install of the 220v is nothing for me. I already have the extra 220v outlet for my welder. The $1000 charger is mine at the end of the lease. Gotta have some monetary value at hat point.

Gas-wise, I currently pay well over $300 a month to commute. My Mercedes E350 averages about 22mpg. Plus now we won't be driving our other cars as much on the weekends so maybe another tank or so ($60) a month there.

Looks like the 3-year old Fits are going from between $9k and $11k, so the depreciation is more than 17%, especially if you trade in.

My employer lets me charge for free, so that cuts down on my power bill.

Honda pays my Comp and Collision insurance as part of the lease. I just adjusted my insurance yesterday and will be saving nearly $500 a year only having to liability on the EV.

For me I am making over $100 a month owning the EV. Considering I'm selling my E350 and losing the $550/month payment for that, I'm ahead around $900 a month over my previous situation.

Oh, and the perk that would be worth a few hundred bucks to me a month is the use of the carpool lane to and from work. For me, that's about 15 minutes in the morning and 20 in the afternoon. That's a HUGE benefit in my eyes.

For me it's purely a commuter that ends up being better than free. I have three other cars and my Aprilia to drive and ride when I need something else.

 

Yeah, especially considering I run a hot rod magazine for a living.

 

Huh? My neighbors? I don't plan on plugging in at their houses.

My current gas bill is closer to $350 a month.

The 110v charger comes with the car. The 220v charger is free as part of the cheaper lease deal. The lease is 36 months - no $$$ down, no $$$ at the end of the lease.

 

Math?!?!?

I'll have to dig around for the right formulas and what numbers to plug in (plug in? Get it?).