Now that it's time to return my leased Honda FIT, after owing it for 6 years and having driven over 120,000 miles, I thoughts it to be a good time to summarize my overall experiences & to build up on my earlier experience : http://indudas.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-fit-ev-2-months-and-4000-miles-later.html
My experience is detailed here
but in summary I :
But before you jump on that conclusion for other EVs, please remember the battery chemistry and cooling systems are different in different cars. Below are some data that I gathered for most of 2019 models with my 2014 FIT:
Later, after 3 years, they reduced the rate to $199 per month.
So, altogether:
Total: $17,688
Total Gas required to drive 120,000 miles: 120,000/31 = 3,871 Gallon of gas.
Assuming an average of $3.5/gallon over last 6 years, this means
3871 * 3.5= $13,548 of gas put in the to drive that 120,000 miles.
So, for 120K miles, i needed to charge the car = 120000/84 = 1463 times.
Each time, since the car has a battery pack of 20 kwh, it would cost me : 20* 10 cents ( in reality my electricity rate is about 6 cents/kwh since I have a pilot program rate from Pepco) : $2.00
So, for 1463 times, It probably costed me : 1429 * 2 = $2,926 to drive that car 120,000 miles.
Total: $8,100
All these service was covered by Honda and also either not applicable or required minimally in an electric car, meaning total savings: $8,100
In other words I owned & drove a brand new compact car for 6 years and made about $1,000 on the way 😃😃
And don't' forget the environmental benefits ( the 48 metric ton of CO2 saved or equivalent of planting 48 trees of 40 years lifespan) !!
The Battery Performance
One of the most important feature of an electric car is its battery and it's degradation.
Surprisingly the battery performance for Honda FIT EV turned out to be excellent. I saw almost no degradation even after driving it for over 120K miles.My experience is detailed here
but in summary I :
- drove a 100+ miles commute every day.
- charged vehicle to 100% twice; once overnight, other time during the day at work
- about 2% of the time, drove vehicle beyond 0% charge, when it reduced the power etc. but still let me go on for another 5-6 miles.
- about 50% of the time, drained the vehicle below 40% battery level.
- never fast charged (car doesn't' have that feature)
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| 2013 picture |
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| 2019 picture |
The maximum range still shows 105-110 miles on a good day and drives closer to that, i.e. No observable Battery Degradation at all in 6 years
But before you jump on that conclusion for other EVs, please remember the battery chemistry and cooling systems are different in different cars. Below are some data that I gathered for most of 2019 models with my 2014 FIT:
| Make | Model | Battery Chemistry | Cooling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda | FIT EV | Lithium Ion | -- |
| Nissan | Leaf | Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese Oxide | air cooled |
| Chevy | Bolt | Li-Ion (nickel-rich) | |
| Hyundai | Kona EV | NMC (Nickel, Manganese, Cobalt) 622 | Liquid cooled |
| Tesla | Model 3 | Lithium Ion (2170) | Liquid cooled |
The $$ Math:
This car I got from Honda through special leasing program that they had running, which gave me the lease for $259 a month for unlimited miles and including free maintenance and insurance.Later, after 3 years, they reduced the rate to $199 per month.
So, altogether:
- Upfront fee (tax, title etc.): $2200.00
- Maryland rebate: -$1,000. 00
- Lease (first 3 years): $259 * 36 = $9,324.00
- Lease (year 3-4) : $199 * 36 = $7,164.00
- Maintenance: $0
Total: $17,688
Gas Savings:
If instead of leasing this car and then driving 120,000 miles, I would have gone to own same car but non EV variant (2013 ICE Honda Fit), then:Total Gas required to drive 120,000 miles: 120,000/31 = 3,871 Gallon of gas.
Assuming an average of $3.5/gallon over last 6 years, this means
3871 * 3.5= $13,548 of gas put in the to drive that 120,000 miles.
Electricity consumed
This car's EPA rating is 82 mpge, which means once fully charged , the car can drive 82 miles.So, for 120K miles, i needed to charge the car = 120000/84 = 1463 times.
Each time, since the car has a battery pack of 20 kwh, it would cost me : 20* 10 cents ( in reality my electricity rate is about 6 cents/kwh since I have a pilot program rate from Pepco) : $2.00
So, for 1463 times, It probably costed me : 1429 * 2 = $2,926 to drive that car 120,000 miles.
Saving Gas vs Electric
So overall saving for driving the electric car vs a similar gas car was: $13,548 - $2,926 = $10,622Maintenance & Insurance Cost
Let us just stick to the very basic cost for a gas car to be as generous as possible for them- Oil & filter Change (every 5000 miles, cost $25/each) = 24 X 25 = $600
- Tire change (once at 60,000 miles): $500
- Brake pads etc. change $500
- Fluid change (transmission oil etc., engine flush etc.) : $500
- Minimum Insurance $500/year = $6000
Total: $8,100
All these service was covered by Honda and also either not applicable or required minimally in an electric car, meaning total savings: $8,100
Conclusion
So in summary, I spend $17,688 to own the car for 6 years and it resulted into $18,722 of gas & related savings.In other words I owned & drove a brand new compact car for 6 years and made about $1,000 on the way 😃😃
And don't' forget the environmental benefits ( the 48 metric ton of CO2 saved or equivalent of planting 48 trees of 40 years lifespan) !!
