Honda Electric Vehicle Evaluation:

Good Engineering to be praised:

• Excellent regenerative braking system--smooth system maximizes energy recovery
• Excellent on-board energy display--easy for ordinary driver to learn
• No unnecessary gadgetry
• Sound system is excellent (although only two speakers), with built-in CD and good reception
• Locking and remote control (with battery check) is excellent
• Excellent power--plenty of speed and good acceleration
• Runs quiet--little or no road noise
• Automatic variable speed climate control system not only very pleasant, but also saves energy
• Heat reflecting windows reduce heat buildup
• Handling is excellent
• Airbags, side impact bracing, battery placement show attention to safety
• Halide headlight system is excellent
• Indicator on the car charging port is helpful

Problems:

1. Maximum range could be increased from about 148 miles to about 180 with small changes
2. Recharges at only 4.2 kw., and the charging system does not automatically adjust to the power input
3. User features/ interface

Improvements Needed:

1. Weight reduction
2. Energy conservation
3. Simplification of recharging connector and onboard charger configuration
4. Minimize cooling fan noise during recharging
5. Increase 208-240 charging rate to match charging circuit capability

Suggestions for implementing improvements:

• Use composite materials instead of steel for body panels (less weight, more insulation and safety)
• Use aluminum instead of steel for car frame and battery case (less weight, greater durability)
• Use composite materials for car seats and low weight materials for car interior finishes
• Use smaller nickel metal hydride battery for the 12 volt power system (reduce weight by 50-75%)
• Streamline wheels and reduce iron content in brakes (less weight)
• Use LEDs for all turn, brake, and parking signals (greater efficiency and reliability)
• Use compact fluorescent lamps for license plate, interior, and reverse signals (greater efficiency)
• Use LEDs for all interior dash board indicators (greater efficiency and reliability)
• Adjust the speed of the radiator fans to minimize noise and energy consumption by using temp. sensors
• Adjust the control logic on the climate control system to rely more heavily on the low power fan
• Turn off the power steering system at medium and high speeds (reduce energy consumption)
• Provide a battery state of charge meter with 1% resolution (more accurate system status data )
• Display should have a clear graphic power consumption meter correlating to kilowatts
• Provide cruise control with a maximum activation speed of 65 or 70 mph
• Modify the "economy" mode to limit maximum speed, climate control operation
• Modify the accelerator interface to correlate closer to power delivered (kilowatts) rather than voltage
• Add under body panels to reduce aerodynamic drag
• Minimize vehicle profile (height)
• Integrate amorphous photovoltaic cells in the windows and body panels to generate power
• Provide simple, economical charging cords with standard plugs and standard conductive unit:

  All three can be implemented without changing 7-pin connector

  Consumer Type 1:	120 volts	12/16/24 amps, (10/2+g cord)	1.5-3.0 KW
  Standard Type 2:	208-240 volts single phase	12/24/32 amps (8/2+g cord)	2.5-6.6 KW
  Fleet user Type 3:	480 volts three phase	12/24/32 amps (8/3+g cord)	9.0-24.0 KW

  The on-board charger is now capable of "handshaking" with a charging box. Although neat-o and spiffy keen-o, about all it tells you is that the car is connected. The user is still responsible for selection of the power cord to fit the voltage (110 or 220). The on-board charger should automatically detect whatever power is available, e.g. 110 or "220" or three phase 480, and adjust its charging strategy accordingly (and invisibly to the user).

Back to HondaEV.org