Honda EV-neo Ready for Lease Sales

Developed for business use as a delivery vehicle, the EV-neo was first introduced at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show as the EVE-neo. Honda plans to deliver 100 units between December 2010 and March 2011 as an initial monitoring period. Data from this monitoring program, as well as data from a test run of 10 prototypes conducted in October, will be used for expanded lease sales by April. Honda targets annual lease sales of 1,000 units.

Honda will offer two versions of the electric scooter, the base EV-neo and the EV-neo PRO which adds a rear carrier and a front bracket that can be used to mount a basket or other container. The EV-neo has a cargo capacity of 30 kg (66.1 lbs.), the legal loading capacity for 50cc scooters in Japan. Up to 5 kg (11 lbs.) can be carried at the front (e.g. with a basket mounted on the EV-neo PRO), 20 kg (44 lbs.) on the rear deck and another 5 kg (11 lbs.) under the seat. The EV-neo has a claimed weight of 233.7 lbs. while the EV-neo PRO claims a weight of 242.5 lbs.

The EV-neo uses technology derived from Hondas hybrid electric car, the Insight. The EV-neo is powered by an AF71M AC synchronous motor. Honda claims a maximum power output of 3.75hp and maximum torque of 8.11 ft-lb.

The motor is powered by a 72V lithium-ion battery. The battery can be fully recharged in 3.5 hours using its regular portable charger, but a proprietary quick charger will be offered, capable of charging the battery in 30 minutes. Honda claims a range of 34 km (21.1 miles) on a single charge, based on a constant speed of 30 kph (18.6 mph) on a level surface.