| Honda EV Plus (ZA1) | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Production | 1997–1999 about 300 produced |
| Assembly | Japan: Mooka, Tochigi |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Related | Honda Logo |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | brushless DC |
| Battery | 28.7 kWh, 288 V (12 V×24) NiMH |
| Range | 80–105 mi (129–169 km) |
| Plug-in charging | Avcon (conductive) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 99.6 in (2,530 mm) |
| Length | 159.3 in (4,050 mm) |
| Width | 68.9 in (1,750 mm) |
| Height | 64.2 in (1,630 mm) |
| Curb weight | 3,590 lb (1,630 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Honda Insight |
The Honda EV Plus was an experimental electric vehicle which was the first battery electric vehicle from a major automaker that did not use lead–acid batteries. Roughly 340 EV Plus models were produced and released. Production of the EV Plus was discontinued in 1999 after Honda announced the release of its first hybrid electric vehicle, the Honda Insight.
The EV Plus served to test advanced battery chemistry in an electric car and also met California Air Resources Board requirements for zero-emission vehicles, like the General Motors EV1. It also tested the pancake-style motor, electronic control unit, power control unit and the Nickel–metal hydride battery (NiMH) later used in Honda hybrids and developed further in the first Honda FCX Fuel Cell Vehicles, which were rebuilt from returned (decommissioned) EV Plus chassis.