Battery Strategy

We will address the rapid pace of electrification by formulating a variety of battery procurement strategies to meet both current and anticipated needs.
Beyond our procurement of liquid lithium-ion batteries, we plan to initiate mass production of batteries in North America by 2025 through a joint venture with LG Energy Solution Ltd, aiming to establish a new value chain. For the procurement of essential minerals, we have formed partnerships with Hanwa Co., Ltd. and POSCO Holdings Inc. Additionally, we collaborate with Ascend Elements, Inc. and Cirba Solutions, LLC in the recycling sector.
From the late 2020s, we will not only advance our liquid lithium-ion batteries but also develop and introduce next-generation batteries, including semi-solid-state and all-solid-state varieties. To enhance the performance of our liquid lithium-ion batteries, we will collaborate with GS Yuasa Corporation to develop high-capacity and high-power versions specifically for EVs, supporting Japan’s rapid electrification. Furthermore, our investment in SES Holdings Pte. Ltd. will bolster the joint development of semi-solid-state batteries. Our goal is to produce batteries that are safe, have high capacity and exhibit increased durability. Regarding all-solid-state batteries, we’re ramping up efforts to initiate a demonstration line in Sakura City, Tochigi Prefecture by 2024, targeting a market launch by the late 2020s.

Charging and Infrastructure Strategy

We are actively working on expanding charging services in line with our growth in the BEV market. To promote the adoption of EVs in North America, seven companies, including Honda’s U.S. subsidiary, American Honda Motor, BMW Group, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz Group and Stellantis N.V., have agreed to form a joint venture. Their goal is to establish a high-capacity EV charging network across the U.S. and Canada. The first charging station is slated to open in the U.S. by the summer of 2024, with subsequent expansions focusing initially on metropolitan areas and major highways.
The station will feature multiple high-output DC chargers compatible with all vehicles adhering to charging standards such as CCS*1 and NACS*2. With environmental considerations in mind, all power will be sourced exclusively from renewable energies. The initiative aims to deploy at least 30,000 chargers across the U.S. and Canada, establishing a high-power recharging network that is user-friendly for EV drivers. For home charging, we will utilize Honda Smart Charge, an established EV charging service in North America, and plan to gradually introduce smart energy services that leverage the power supply capabilities of EVs.

• *1 CCS: Combined Charging System
• *2 NACS: North American Charging Standard

SW (Software) Strategy

Under the “Software-Defined Mobility” concept, which delineates the value of both hardware and services, we are accelerating our software development. Specifically, Honda is advancing the E&E architecture and developing its unique vehicle OS, aiming for its adoption in the mid-size and large EVs set to launch in North America in 2025. Using this vehicle OS as a foundation, Honda will continue to evolve its in-vehicle software, offering advanced functions and services even after the vehicle purchase. Furthermore, we will swiftly provide digital services highly compatible with BEVs, centered on safety, comfort and reliability. These services, designed with a focus on UX, will be offered under a unified management, including user-friendly charging guidance and other appealing features.
Regarding the proprietary development of software in areas such as vehicle OS, AD/ADAS, UX and digital services, we plan to double our recruitment of skilled professionals specializing in advanced software. We will also actively bolster our collaborations with partners to amplify our capabilities. Through our partnership with SCSK Corporation, we will merge Honda’s system control and safety control technologies with SCSK’s IT expertise. This synergy aims to maximize the potential of engineers from both companies, offering continuous training and skill enhancement. Furthermore, by deepening collaborations with development partners like KPIT Technologies Limited and by pioneering initiatives in fields like electrification and ADAS with Hitachi Astemo, Ltd., we seek to fuse Honda’s strengths in control and safety technologies with the software development prowess of our partners, thereby realizing the new value that software can bring.
In the realm of digital services, we aim to enhance software development to consistently provide outstanding user experiences (UX) from the customer’s perspective. To achieve this, we have appointed the CEO of Drivemode, Inc. as the new Global UX Officer, centralizing decision-making authority.

Advancements in Software Technology

• *1 PT: Powertrain
• *2 IVI: In-Vehicle Infotainment

BEV Production System

In response to the rapid electrification worldwide, we are advancing the establishment of an electric vehicle production system globally within Honda. In North America, Honda has identified its three existing plants in Ohio (Marysville and East Liberty, which produce automobiles, and the Anna Engine Plant, which manufactures automobile powertrains) as central locations for EV production. While utilizing these existing facilities, we are constructing efficient and highly flexible EV production lines.
Moreover, with an eye on the EVs set to launch in the late 2020s, we have initiated the transformation of our production system towards a “state-of-the-art BEV manufacturing facility.” We will approach this transformation from the following three perspectives:

1） Evolution of factories capable of producing products with strong appeal efficiently and flexibly, and the establishment of a supply chain.
2） Development of production lines that prioritize automation and intelligence to adapt to future workforce shifts.
3） Transition to production processes that emphasize resource circulation, with a commitment to minimizing CO2 emissions to the greatest possible extent.

In anticipation of higher production volumes post-2030, we aim to offer competitive BEVs with significant product appeal and price competitiveness through the global expansion of the state-of-the-art BEV manufacturing facility.

Strengthening of the EV production

Alongside the acceleration of electrification, we remain committed to continuous development, ensuring we deliver attractive products to customers who choose ICE vehicles.
We’ve implemented the Honda Architecture, which distinctly differentiates between the “common components” and “unique components” for each vehicle model, in the full redesign of the CR-V and Accord. Building on this foundation, we will persist in advancing this initiative. By merging a “Modular Architecture with Unified Components and Layout” with the “Shared Utilization of BEV Advanced Technologies,” we aim to extend state-of-the-art features, including advanced safety technologies, to ICE vehicles as well. Starting in 2026, these features will be incorporated into our core model lineup for worldwide expansion. Furthermore, with the introduction of a lightweight platform, next-generation power units and electric AWD, we commit to delivering superior environmental performance and enhanced dynamic capabilities.
From a business perspective, we will accelerate the standardization of lineups and powertrains globally to enhance business efficiency and establish a complementary structure, including production across various regions.
To swiftly address evolving customer needs, we will continue to deliver appealing products by implementing measures such as shortening development timelines and utilizing derivative series.

CR-V

Accord (for North American market)