EAA HONDA CIVIC HYBRID 2003 “One small charge for man, one huge leap for manufacturers” Jim Stack, Phoenix EAA (article & photos) Recently I purchased a new Honda CIVIC Hybrid. My other vehicle is a 1994 S10 Electricar pick-up truck that hadn’t been on the road for over 2 years when I got it and now I drive it every week. Why would an EAA EV driver purchase this kind of car? How is it compatible with electric vehicles? First, I realize the limits of existing all- electric vehicles. Second, there are very few available. Like most EAA members I know the best EV is a converted ICE car, but we can’t make them for the entire world. Even if we could, most new car buyers want one with all the features, backed by nationwide service. If only we could get big carmakers to realize people want EV’s. Also, the batteries are still the weakest link in the EV because of availability, durability and expense. My new hybrid helps with all of these issues. I chose a Honda for many reasons. First, they have been a leader in emission control since 1975 when the CVCC engine in produced cleaner exhaust without a catalytic converter and got better mileage. They also built the all-electric Honda EV PLUS (but that never made it to full time production). Then they came out with the Insight hybrid with a 70- mpg EPA rating, and Toyota followed with the Prius Hybrid. The CIVIC is the first popular mainstream car to be offered with a hybrid option. If it is successful, I feel the next version could be a plug in hybrid or 100% EV option on a mainstream car. The new hybrids use batteries, an electric motor, low rolling resistance tires, and a controller, all common EV components. By making a lot of them and improving the technology, all of us will benefit. My CIVIC has a 144V DC battery pack in a walled divider between the backseat and trunk. It also has a 10-Kw brushless DC motor, low- rolling resistance tires, a PCU Power Control Unit (controller), regenerative braking and electric power steering…

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