The new all-electric 2013 Honda Fit EV is seen during its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, in Los Angeles. Honda said Wednesday that the 2013 Fit EV has received the highest fuel efficiency rating ever from the Environmental Protection Agency.DETROIT — At 118 miles per gallon, the Honda Fit electric vehicle is the most fuel-efficient in the United States. But getting that mileage isn’t cheap — and it isn’t always good for the environment.
Honda announced the eye-popping figure Wednesday, making the small, four-door hatchback more efficient than electric rivals like the Ford Focus, Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
The electric Fit has an estimated price tag nearly twice as high as the gasoline-powered version.
It would take 11 years before a driver makes up the difference and begins saving on fuel.
With gas prices falling, the high sticker price for electric vehicles is becoming more of a barrier for American buyers, even though the vehicles are far more efficient than their gas-powered counterparts. That’s hurting sales of electrics.