Honda begins European demonstration program of EV-neo electric scooter
15 June 2011
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| The EV-neo. Click to enlarge. |
Honda will begin a European demonstration program of the battery-electric EV-neo scooter in conjunction with Barcelona City Council (Spain) beginning in July 2011. Honda will provide Barcelona City Council with 18 EV-neos for the period of one year. Montesa Honda, Barcelona City Council and RACC, Spain’s leading Automobile Club will work together to carry out daily research and monitoring activities on the EV-neo’s usage in Barcelona.
The EV-neo operates using a Honda in-house manufactured brushless 2.8 kW motor and a 0.9 kWh SCiB lithium-ion battery from Toshiba Corporation which is well-suited for repeated charging and discharging and for quick charging, and also delivers stable performance at extremely low temperatures. The EV-neo’s newly developed battery cooling system uses a specially equipped cooling fan.
The motor has rated output of 0.58 kW, and maximum output of 2.8 kW at 5,000 rpm; maximum torque is 11 N·m (8 lb-ft)—sufficient, Honda says, to allow the scooter to be started uphill on a 12-degree grade while loaded with 30 kg of cargo.
A quick charger, designed exclusively for the EV-neo and using a 200-volt power source, provides full charging from empty in about 30 minutes under 25°C conditions, making it possible to recharge the vehicle quickly during spare moments in the working day. The portable regular charger can be stored under the seat and provides 100% charging from empty in about 3.5 hours at 25°C.
The EV-neo has a range of 34 km (21 miles) at 30 km/h (19 mph) on level ground.
We are delighted to bring Honda’s EV technology to Europe for the first time. Testing the EV-neo in European conditions is an important step as we develop our EV activities.
—Yukitoshi Fujisaka, President of Montesa Honda
A wide range of incentives exist for EVs in Barcelona and with motorcycles accounting for 30% of all vehicles in the city, Barcelona was an ideal location for the program, Honda said.
Lease sales of the EV-neo started in Japan in April 2011 with Honda expecting to sell approximately 1,000 units in the first year. The base price is ¥454,650 (US$5,627).
The EV-neo is also being used in Honda Electric Vehicle Testing Programs in Kumamoto and Saitama prefectures, Japan. These testing programs, which include motorcycles, automobile and power equipment products based on electromotive technologies, will help to test future forms of personal mobility and their potential in CO2 reduction. In the Kumamoto Program, EV-neo scooters are rented to residents and tourists to provide feedback on their use and benefits and in Saitama they are leased to delivery companies.
I don't understand why it would normally take 3.5 hours to charge, as Europe uses a 240volt 16 amp circuit as standard.
That charges a 0.9kwh battery in a few minutes.
Posted by: Davemart | 15 June 2011 at 06:57 AM
US$5,627
That seems a bit expensive for a 3hp scooter.
Posted by: SJC | 15 June 2011 at 09:09 AM
You could theoretically buy two TATA NANOs for that price, and they were developed to provide the population of India as safe and more comfortable form a transportation than a scooter. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 15 June 2011 at 12:03 PM
Electric cars don't come cheap either. I like that thing - I start saving money now.
@Davemart, it's only the portable charger that takes h3.5 - for weight reasons likely.
Posted by: ds | 15 June 2011 at 01:46 PM
Scooter gliders cost less than $1000, I would say that someone could come up with an electric one for less than $5000 retail and make money. The MARS three phase 7.5 hp motor and controller costs less than $1000 and batteries can not cost THAT much.
Posted by: SJC | 15 June 2011 at 07:50 PM
Here is one you can find online with the same power and twice the batteries at half the price.
http://www.zapworld.com/zapino-electric-scooter
Posted by: SJC | 15 June 2011 at 07:56 PM
@SJC
The standard Zapino does not use Li batteries (probably lead acid, deep cycle ones) which would be pants. I have gone through 4 lead acid batter scooters. They are too heavy, loose discharge capacity below 10C and if you push the range the batteries die in 6 months.
I agree that Honda seem to be behind the curve and too expensive. The Peugeot e-vivacity (http://www.peugeotscooters.co.uk/peugeot-scooters-detail.php/Vivacity-3-e-5/)is being released next month in the UK for £3,750 and the e-max (http://www.vmotoscooters.co.uk/products/e-max-120l/) also sells for under 4 grand (GBP). Both of these seem to outperform the Honda except on the fast charge capability.
Posted by: Thomas Lankester | 16 June 2011 at 02:33 AM
Thomas,
Changing those amounts into dollars the prices are comparable to the Honda.
For many city dwellers the fast charge capability may be critical too, as there are an awful lot of people who live in apartments and so can't get to a charger at home.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 June 2011 at 05:17 AM
Lithium batteries are not a major change and should not add thousands of dollars to the price. Honda has priced this high, which makes room for competition. I think this is a useful vehicle in many situations, but the price will have to come down for more buyers to appear.
Posted by: SJC | 16 June 2011 at 07:29 AM
1. Lithium batteries are more expensive than the old fashion lead acid batteries.
2. Good batteries that are capable to withstand the stress of quick charge, be charged repeatedly for years, and with high performce under low temperature can outlast others many times and well-worth the higher initial cost.
Posted by: Pierre | 16 June 2011 at 11:32 AM
1 kWh of lithium ion batteries might cost $1000 and the same capacity of lead acid might cost $500. The lithium will be smaller, lighter and with modern chemistry can take quick charges.
Posted by: SJC | 16 June 2011 at 11:37 AM
Who is going to be the first place to ban ICE noisy bikes but allow every quiet e-bikes.
Posted by: HarveyD | 17 June 2011 at 06:34 PM
Lots of scooters are two cycle and they are noisy and dirty. Electric is smooth and quiet, where scooters are used is short range, which is a good match.
Posted by: SJC | 18 June 2011 at 10:11 AM
A firm in Malaysia will soon produce an interesting e-scooter for the local and export markets. Their capital city, Kuala Lumpu, would certainly benefit because the current 3,000,000+ ICE scooters are polluting the city above acceptable levels. People have to use mask for many days of the year. The smoke and noise they generate is unbelievable.
Posted by: HarveyD | 19 June 2011 at 09:35 AM
The last time I bought 1 kWh of PbSO4 battery, it was under $100.
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