Honda Fit EV axed: Is this proof Honda sees no future in electric cars?

by Richard Lane of www.econmento.com

The Honda Fit EV is regarded as one of the best electric cars on the market. Demand has far outstripped supply and the combination of practicality, fun and decent range have made it an almost unanimous hit. Honda even apologised for a shortage of cars last summer.

But the Japanese automaker has now decided to stop building the Fit EV when its intended production run of 1,100 examples comes to an end later this year, despite full waiting lists. Until then around 40 example will be delivered each month.

Honda’s plans to cease production of the Fit EV were outlined in a message posted by a member of the Honda Fit EV Drivers Facebook group.

Thank you for your email and your interest in the Fit EV. Honda dealers received a significant increase in customer interest in the Fit EV when we announced the updated lease program in June. As a result, many dealers are maintaining lists of customers who want to lease the Fit EV. Most are
reporting that their list is quite long.
Honda introduced the Fit EV with an announced volume of 1,100 units over two model years. The 2014 model year will end early this fall, marking the end of production of the Fit EV. Honda will continue to produce and distribute to authorized Fit EV dealers about 40 Fit EV’s per month until that time. While I understand your request for clarity about the timing and/or likelihood of leasing the Fit EV, it depends on a variety of factors such as customer ability or desire to wait for the car that are beyond our ability to predict. Honda’s experience with wait lists is that they eventually subside, though this appears to not be the case for the Fit EV.
Thank you again for your interest in the Honda Fit EV.

There are two likely reasons why Honda is discontinuing the Fit EV.

The first is that it has now complied with California’s zero-emissions vehicle requirements. This law only applies to large automakers and Honda is one of the largest. Box ticked.

The second reason is that Honda – unlike Nissan – sees hydrogen fuel cells as the future of personal mobility, and not battery-electric vehicles. The company unveiled a new fuel cell concept – due in 2015 – at last years Los Angeles Auto Show and has been leasing fuel cell cars to Californian customers on a small scale for years. It sees 2015 as a breakthrough year for hydrogen.

Honda will still have to meet state regulations in California next year, however, so must have a plan. There’s a chance that we could see an electric version of the new 2015 Honda Fit, although nothing has yet been said and its reluctance to build the current model speaks volumes.

Honda may try and meet requirements with its hydrogen fuel cell car, although given the tiny refuelling infrastructure this seems unlikely.

Source;
http://ecomento.com/2014/02/28/honda-fit-ev-axed-proof-honda-sees-future-electric-cars/