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Honda believes that such vehicles will not be fully understood until many people have experienced them. To this end, Honda has produced the practical, dedicated EV-Plus for consumer use in every-day life.

Honda started research on electric vehicles in the 1980s as part of its study of alternative fuels.

During the 1990s, Honda tested EVs converted from the Acty Street, a compact commercial vehicle, and the Civic Wagon.

Other efforts included the EVX displayed at the '93 Tokyo Motor Show, and a fleet market test in the US using an experimental vehicle, the CUV-4.

A more radical research program developed the world-beating Honda Dream solar cars which tested various EV technologies on the way to winning back-to-back World Solar Challenges in 1993 and 1996.

All these efforts led to the successful creation of the Honda EV-Plus.

Honda concluded that to be practical and attractive, the EV-Plus needed to have features and utility equivalent to conventional cars. Honda wanted an EV that:

· Could be used in daily activities such as commuting and shopping.

· Made use of state-of-the-art technology for EV and passenger vehicles.

· Offered high practicality and refinement.

Aiming for the best EV achievable with current technology, Honda's new structure and packaging provides safe and comfortable driving.

Honda developed a package that offers enough space for four adults and a level of performance equal to petrol-powered vehicles.

The Honda EV-Plus has a range of 210km on one charge in city mode or a maximum of 350 km at a steady 40km/h. It consumes electricity at a rate of 130Wh/km, and has a top speed of more than 130km/h.

The study of the body started with the frame structure to make it safe and highly efficient.

The main frame has a large cross section and is straight from front to rear. The battery box was reinforced, and the cross members and outriggers were extended to reach the side sills. Side impact beams were also applied. The batteries are under the floor in the centre of the car for safety.

The bonnet and bumper beams are made of aluminium for reduced weight.

DC brushless motor

The powertrain is equipped with a light and efficient DC brushless motor. Rare-earth high-strength magnets are used as permanent magnets in the motor, and an optimally designed rotor and stator improve energy efficiency up to a maximum 96 per cent.

Output is 49kW at 1700-8750rpm, torque is 275Nm up to 1700rpm, and the top speed is more than 130km/h. stress-free driving is provided in traffic with other conventionally-powered vehicles.

Fully-automatic control system

A computer instantly checks the driver's instructions to control the motor at the most efficient level possible.

Electrical safety system

The high voltage lines are full-floating and completely separated from the passenger area. The power supply line is switched on/off by a contact when signalled by the start key. A fuse is placed on each line. Grounding - when a line contacts the body - is picked up by a sensor which shuts down the power

Controller

IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors) are solid-state high-voltage switching devices. A PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control system that maintains the power at the ideal level and the phase control system (advanced angle control, field weakening control), enables optimum motor operation in both normal urban traffic and on the freeway.

Battery

High energy, long life Ni-MH (nickel-metal hydride) batteries are used, obtaining a balance of recyclability, maintainability and reliability.

Range, the distance driven on one charge, is 210km. Twenty-four 12V batteries are held in the exclusively designed battery box under the floor, which allows sufficient interior space.

Recharging system

The vehicle is equipped with an on-board charger, capable of recharging at 100 or 200 volts AC. The vehicle can be recharged by the customer at home. A lightweight, compact switching regulator system achieves efficiency of more than 85 per cent. The connector is a highly reliable conductive type.

Transmission

A fixed ratio reduction gear was adopted to take full advantage of the motor output characteristics. Smooth acceleration achievable only by an EV has been highly refined. The simple shift lever has four lever positions - Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive.

PCU (Power Control Unit)

Seven major EV dedicated electrical units - the controller, junction board, electrical charger, 12V-AO-DC converter, air conditioner inverter, motor ECU, and management ECU -; are combined in one box to make for an electrically safer package.

The light-weight box and its frame are of aluminium.

Power plant cooling system

A central water cooling system cools several components collectively, unlike other vehicles which use air cooling with individual fans to cool the motor, controller, converter and inverter.

The motor has a water jacket in its housing and there is a separate water jacket for the PCU. An electric water pump circulates the cooling water, monitors the water temperature and operates as needed.

Regenerative brakes

With the motor functioning as a generator, the vehicle's kinetic energy is converted into electric energy when the brakes are applied. This regenerative braking system returns electricity to batteries to improve the range.

The offset valve is activated by computer that controls the hydraulic braking effort and the motor's regenerative braking effort As a result, smooth braking is achieved.

A newly developed electric vacuum pump operates the brake booster for assisted braking effort as on a conventional vehicle.

Electrically assisted power steering

A pinion shaft is operated by a dedicated motor. It is operated only when the torque sensor senses steering torque, thus reducing electricity consumption.

A speed-sensitive steering system offers optimum steering according to vehicle speed.

Low rolling resistance tyre

Honda engineers developed exclusive low rolling resistance tyres to reduce the electric energy consumption while driving.

A new compound, optimum configuration and a higher tyre pressure (300kPa) contributed to the decrease of the rolling resistance coefficient by about 57 per cent compared to conventional tyres.

Tyres are lightweight and produce little noise while driving, at the same time assuring driveability.

Safety and comfort equipment

Driver and passenger-side SRS air bags and ABS are standard equipment.

Comfort equipment includes electric windows, electric door locks, retractable remote-control door mirrors and a four-speaker audio system that integrates FM/AM/CD, and emphasises the practicality of the EV.

The Honda EV has a cockpit with a futuristic feel and sufficient space for four adults with luggage.

Heat pump fully-automatic air-conditioner

Heat pump air-conditioner uses an inverter-controlled electric compressor The fully- automatic air conditioner, while saving energy, quickly raises or lowers the temperature to the desired setting. A heater is also available.

Interior

Four individual seats provide enough space for four adults. Distance between the seats, head clearance and rear space were designed for maximum comfort. A high seating position as a result of high-floor design secures excellent visibility. The rear seats can be folded down for flexible cargo space.

Digital meter

A large digital liquid crystal display in the instrument panel includes the speedometer and warning displays.

Displays also show the remaining battery capacity and remaining range based on current driving conditions.

The real-time remaining range is displayed while driving, and on the average while stopping. When the warning lights under the meters come on, the details are displayed on the multi-information panel.

Projector type discharge headlights

Projector type discharge headlights produce about double the light of conventional halogen lights while consuming less electricity. They secure good visibility for night driving.

Specifications

Dimension	Overall length (mm)	4045
	Overall width (mm)	1750
	Overall height (mm)	1630
	Wheelbase (mm)	2530
	Track (front/rear)	1500/1490
	Kerb weight (kg)	1615
Powerplant	Powertrain	Front-wheel drive
	Voltage	288
	Motor type	Brushless DC
	Motor output	49kW/1700-8750 rpm
	(continuous rating)
	Motor torque	275Nm/1700 rpm
	Battery type	12V seal Ni-MH battery
	Battery quantity	24
	Battery capacity (Ah)	95
	Recharger voltage charged	AC 100V/200V
	Recharger discharge	1.1 kW/4.2kW
	Recharger type	On-board (conductive)
	Standard charging time	8 hours (200V)
	Shift	Fixed ratio reduction gear
		(Ratio: 7.446)
Performance	Range 10.15 mode (km)	210
	Constant running at 40km/h	350
	(km)
	Top speed (km/h)	130
Chassis	Suspension (front & rear)	MacPherson/torsion beam
	Steering	Electric rack and pinion
	Tyre size (front and rear)	195/65R14 (EV exclusive)
	Tyre air pressure (kPa)	300
	Brake system	Electric negative pressure assisted brake supported by regenerative brake function
Major equipment	SRS airbag system	Dual
	ABS	Standard
	Air-conditioner	Heat pump full automatic
	Audio system	FM/AM/CD integrated + 4 speakers.