The Honda Fit EV has shown up on the Indian roads
badged as ‘Honda Jazz’. News18 has posted spy shots of the car that was spotted
in Delhi. The Honda Fit EV is based on the second generation Honda Fit (Honda
Jazz). However, the unique 15-inch alloy wheels, the fin-type antenna, a
distinctive rear spoiler that extends downward alongside the rear glass, the
body-coloured tailgate garnish and the exclusive rear bumper confirm that we
are looking at the battery-powered supermini.
The Honda Fit EV uses the MCF3 electric motor that
generates 92 kW (125 PS) at 3,695-10,320 rpm and 256 Nm of torque at 0-3,056
rpm. A 331-volt, 20 kWh Lithium-ion battery made by Toshiba provides juice to
the motor. The zero-emission hatchback has a pure electric driving range (JC08
test cycle) of 225 km. Its efficiency rating (JC08 test cycle) is 106 Wh/km.
The Honda Fit EV has a normal charging port on the
right side and a fast-charging port on the left side. Using a normal charger
(AC200V 15A), the battery takes about six hours to fully charge from low
battery charge warning. Using a fast charger at a CHAdeMO charging station, the
battery charges to 80% level from low battery charge warning in about 20
minutes.
The availability Honda Fit EV was limited to the USA
and Japan. In the USA, it was available to private customers on a lease, while
in Japan, it was available to local governments and businesses on a lease. The
EV was more a compliance car.
Honda is reportedly planning a B-segment pure
electric car for India, but it's not the next-gen Honda Jazz EV with a 300 km
range. A low-cost model with 150-200 km range is under consideration, for
launch in 2023-2024, and we suspect this EV is here for trial runs and data
logging.
The fourth-gen Honda Fit will also have a pure
electric variant, offering a range of 300 km on a full charge. With the third
generation model struggling in our market, the fourth-gen model’s launch is
doubtful. Regardless, with Honda finding even full-hybrid (locally
manufactured) cars too expensive for our market, a pure electric Honda Jazz is
out of the question.