Honda has made good on its promise to deliver its first Fit EV, and that delivery took place in California on Friday. Matt and Becky Walton, of Ventura County, can now claim they have the first example of Honda's all-electric car, which costs $389 a month. The Waltons got the first Fit EV because they were the first ones to sign up for a lease at the car's website. They've owned at least four other Hondas, the automaker says, going back to the 1970s.
In a statement, Matt said, "It's truly an honor to take delivery of the first Honda Fit EV and participate in the advancement of all-electric vehicles in the real world," but he didn't mention the fact that Honda's "real-world" EV push is, in this case at least, available for a limited time only, and in limited areas. Leases start in California and Oregon now and will expand to the East Coast early next year.
The EPA rated the Fit EV at 118 MPGe and gives it an official range of 82 miles. The car's highly efficient energy consumption is 29 kWh per 100 miles. Read our First Drive review of the Fit EV here.
Honda Delivers First Fit EV to California Customer
The EPA-rated 118 MPGe Fit EV is now available for lease in select California and Oregon markets
07/20/2012 - WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., delivered the first all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV to a couple in Southern California, the company announced today. The 2013 Honda Fit EV is the latest in Honda's diverse and expansive portfolio of alternative-fuel vehicles, earning a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe1, and an unprecedented low consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles.
Ventura County, Calif., residents, Matt and Becky Walton, took delivery of their Honda Fit EV at the Woodland Hills Honda dealership located north of Los Angeles. The couple was the very first registrant to sign up to lease the Fit EV at www.FitEV.Honda.com and plan to use their vehicle as a daily commuter car. Matt and Becky Walton have a long history of owning Honda vehicles, beginning with a Honda N600 sedan and a Honda Z600 coupe in the 1970s and now a Honda Odyssey which will be used as a secondary car.
"It's truly an honor to take delivery of the first Honda Fit EV and participate in the advancement of all-electric vehicles in the real world," said Mr. Walton. "The Honda Fit EV is not only a sustainable and energy efficient transportation option with the highest fuel-efficiency rating of any EV, but it has the added bonus of being fun-to-drive and can fully recharge from empty in less than three hours."
Addressing a critical step in advancing electric vehicles in the real world, American Honda initially will certify Honda dealers in select California and Oregon markets as Fit EV dealers to provide an excellent customer experience for Fit EV customers' sales and service needs.
The Fit EV will be available for lease-only in key markets starting in California and Oregon, after which availability will expand to East Coast markets in early 2013. The Fit EV's lease price of $389 per month2 over a three-year term computes to a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,625.
Customers interested in leasing or learning more about the Fit EV are encouraged to sign up at www.FitEV.Honda.com.
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1132/105/118 city/highway/combined miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) rating; 82 mile combined (city/highway) driving range rating (adjusted). Ratings determined by U.S. EPA. Your MPGe and range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-electric-label.shtml.
2Subject to limited availability through October 2014 in designated market regions on approved credit through American Honda Finance Corp. Closed end lease for 2013 Honda Fit EV for well-qualified lessees meeting specific use and operation requirements. Not all applicants will qualify. No purchase option at lease end. MSRP $37,415 (includes destination). Excludes tax, title, license, registration, options and insurance. Zero capitalized cost reduction. Total monthly payments $14,004.00. Lessee responsible for non-routine maintenance, excessive wear/tear and up to $0.20/mi. over 12,000 mi./yr. Lease includes collision coverage, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and navigation system updates
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