Honda Officially Launches 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid

By Eric Loveday · January 15, 2013

Today is the official launch date for Honda's first entry in the plug-in hybrid vehicle market in the United States: the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid. Initially, the 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid will only be available in New York and California, but as time passes by, the plug-in sedan is expected to be offered in other states.

The Accord PHEV is the first gas-burning vehicle to qualify for CARB’s Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle 20 (SULEV 20) standard. This implies emissions of 20 milligrams or less per mile.

The $39,780 (base MSRP prior to federal tax credit of $3,334) Accord plug-in is rated at 124 MPGe city; 105 MPGe highway; and 115 MPGe combined. Its electric-only range is listed at 13 miles and its fuel economy rating is 47 mpg city, 46 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

The Accord plug-in features a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine and a 124-kW electric motor. Honda claims that the plug-in Accord can be charged in less than one hour using a Level 2 setup or in three hours with a 120-volt outlet.

The Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid joins the Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Fisker Karma, and Ford C-Max Energi in the PHEV market, offering an unprecedented amount of consumer choice in terms of price, brand, technical configuration, and all-electric range. The Ford Fusion Energi follow later this year, and the Cadillac ELR in early 2014, giving car shoppers seven plug-in hybrids to consider.

Comments

· Brian Schwerdt · 18 weeks ago

I like that 124kW motor!

This car will end up in direct competition with the Ford Fusion Energi. The electric range is disappointing, but hey, it's a mainstream model with an optional plug. I hope it sells well for Honda, and compels them to offer the Fit EV for sale (not just lease) nationwide.

· CharlesF · 18 weeks ago

If you look at the plug in hybrids that have a real all EV range (ie, not the PIP*) and are not performance cars, there is an almost perfectly linear correlation between range and MPG. The Volt is 38/37, the Fords (C-Max and Fusion Energies) are 21/43 and the Accord is 13/46.

MPG = EV Range * -0.36 + 50.58
RR = 1.00

So if you know the EV range that works for you, use the above formula to predict the MPG.

*If you include the PIP at 6/50 it does not change very much. RR=0.99.

· Brian Schwerdt · 18 weeks ago

@CharlesF,

Fascinating observation, thanks for sharing! It makes sense that increased AER will result in decreased MPG. Interesting that it appears to be linear.

· paulwesterberg · 18 weeks ago

@CharlesF,

Interesting hypothesis and I agree that the extra weight of larger battery packs does drag down extended range mileage, but I think that the volt's engine is not as efficient as some of the other hybrids.

In order to bring the vehicle to market quickly they used the 1.4L engine designed for the cruise. I think it would be interesting to see if swapping in the 1.3L lotus range extender or smaller 1L would offer improved mileage while reducing vehicle weight.

· Spec · 18 weeks ago

Like the Plug-in Prius, I just don't understand why they don't put more batteries into these PHEVs! It's free! The additional tax-credit they will receive will pay for more batteries!

I'm not saying they should always do the full 16KWH like the Volt since that tends to cause space constraints. It is difficult to squeeze a full ICE drivetrain, an EV drivetrain, batteries, and charger while still having enough passenger and storage space. But Ford has managed to make 20 mile electric-range PHEVs. 13 miles just seems pathetically low.

GM needs to put Atkinson cycle engines in their next generation Voltec cars.

· Bill Howland · 17 weeks ago

Maybe I'm wanting battery storage to improve faster than it reasonably can, but I'll eschew all these "early" models in favor of the much "earlier" 2 models I already have. I see no point in all the complication of a PHEV if they're not going to put a decent battery in them. I thought we keep reading that battery prices are rapidly decreasing?

@Spec

Not sure exactly what ur getting at but Im sure u know my 2011 Volt is Atkinson cycle.

· Brian Schwerdt · 17 weeks ago

@Spec: "I just don't understand why they don't put more batteries into these PHEVs! It's free! The additional tax-credit they will receive will pay for more batteries!"

If this is true, why is the C-Max Energi more expensive than the Hybrid, even after the tax credit? What's more, the tax credits will not last forever.

· Ningbo Power Cord · 12 weeks ago

A lot of people drive 10 or 15 miles per day all but once a week or so when they drive some long distance. Weekend warriors or people who occasionally have to go to the next city over for work. This is the perfect car for them.

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Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid

Honda Officially Launches 2014 Accord Plug-In Hybrid

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