Honda

Currently, Honda has two hybrid electric vehicles on the market: the Insight and the Civic Hybrid.

The Insight is a two door coupe that was introduced in 1999, and is the first vehicle to contain the

Honda IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system. The Civic Hybrid was made available in 2002, and

has a modified IMA system that is fitted to the Civic s 5-passenger 4-door sedan body. The Insight

achieved a fuel consumption rate of 3.4L/100km, while the Civic Hybrid with the manual

transmission attained 5.1L/100km and 4.6L/100km in the city and on the highway respectively. [1, 6]

Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) System

The IMA system schematic is shown in Figure 2-7. In this system, a permanent magnet DC brushless

motor is placed with direct crankshaft connection between the engine and the transmission. The IMA

system uses the engine as the main power source, while the motor acts as an auxiliary power source

when accelerating. By using the motor as an auxiliary power source, the overall system is simplified,

and it is possible to use compact and light-weight motor, battery, and power control unit, thus

reducing the overall weight of the vehicle. [1]