HONDA The Power of Dreams

Since it started working on the development of EVs in the 1980s, Honda has been advancing a wide range of EV technologies as a part of its commitment to the realization of carbon neutrality.

In addition to the development of motor, control and battery technologies most suitable for EVs, Honda has been taking on continuous challenges to build and advance new concepts for future EVs which will offer a new mobility experience to the customer, while pursuing its long-held “human-centric” thinking represented by the M/M (Man Maximum, Machine Minimum) concept as well as the “joy of driving.”

This story introduces Honda’s initiatives related to EVs, including the history of EV development.

History of Honda EV development

Based on its “human-centric” approach to automobile development, Honda began research and development of EVs in the 1980s to address the needs for alternative energy and low-pollution vehicles.

In 1997, Honda introduced the Honda EV Plus, the first full-fledged Honda EV model with a vehicle body designed exclusively for the model. In the development of this model, Honda continued to pursue the M/M concept, a universal approach to Honda car design. As a result, the Honda EV Plus was designed as a 4-seater hatchback model with a spacious, easy-to-use and versatile cabin space. The adoption of a high-performance, long-life nickel-metal hydride battery, a groundbreaking approach at the time, was also based on Honda’s human-centric thinking of reducing the time and effort required of customers to recharge the battery.

With Honda EV Plus as the starting point, Honda continued research and development of hybrid vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles. By incorporating technologies and new ideas amassed through the development of such models, Honda developed the Fit EV, a fun-to-drive and smart-to-use EV, which began lease sales in 2012 in Japan and the U.S.

Honda continued to pursue the human-centric approach in the development of this model and worked on the realization of longer range with less battery capacity, the further improvement of the quality of driving on an electric motor and the elimination of any waste of time for customers, including the offering of efficient charging.

To achieve these targets, Honda adopted the basic packaging of the Fit, featuring a compact body size and excellent occupant comfort, designed based on the M/M concept. Moreover, with energy efficiency maximized, the Fit EV achieved the world’s best^*1 electricity efficiency performance at the time.

*1 Honda internal research (as of the end of August 2012)

In 2017, with thorough pursuit of the M/M concept, Honda developed the Clarity Fuel Cell, the world’s first^*2 five-passenger sedan type FCEV, and the Clarity Electric, an EV model which shared the same platform.

The Clarity Electric offered new value to customers who demanded both the cleanliness of an EV and the high quality, comfortable and spacious cabin space of a sedan for their daily commuting.

In 2020, with a goal to create a fun-to-drive EV model with “fun-to-touch” features, offering a new lifestyle to users, Honda developed the Honda e.

Based on human-centric thinking, Honda revisited the essential value of EVs, and envisioned use in urban areas where EVs can demonstrate their performance to the maximum extent. Based on this concept, the Honda e was developed as an urban-style commuter model with a sophisticated design, equipped with a compact battery that realized sufficient range for daily commuting.

Moreover, Honda e featured the world’s first^*3 wide-vision digital dashboard with five horizontally positioned screens, as well as a voice-enabled cloud AI-powered Honda Personal Assistant which offered relevant recommendations. Both of these features were developed while looking into the future with flexible ideas. Being at the forefront of the times, the Honda e also featured advanced functions that enabled Honda e to externally output electricity to a home/building (V2H: Vehicle to Home) and serve as a power source for appliances (V2L: Vehicle to Load). Moreover, by featuring a compact yet powerful motor in the rear to drive the rear tires, the Honda e thoroughly pursued driving pleasure that is unique only to Honda.

*2 Among sedan-type production FCEVs. Honda internal research (as of February 2016).
*3 Among all production models. Honda internal research (as of August 2020.)

Honda EV lineup (as of January 2024)

The period until the latter half of the 2020s is considered as the “dawn of EVs” in the process of popularizing EVs. During this period, Honda has been developing and introducing EVs tailored to the market characteristics of each region, including the major markets of North America, China and Japan.

In 2022, Honda announced its plans to launch 30 EV models globally with production volume of more than 2 million units annually by 2030. Based on this plan, Honda began sales of e:NS1 and e:NP1 in China in 2022, and of e:Ny1 in Europe in 2023. Moreover, in 2024, Honda will launch EV SUV models co-developed with General Motors (GM), namely Honda Prologue, Acura ZDX/Acura ZDX Type S in North America, and N-VAN e: developed by Honda based on its commercial-use mini-vehicle, in Japan. From 2024 onward, Honda will continue to take an aggressive approach to the develop of new EV models.

The e:N Series (China, Europe)

As new EV series models, Honda launched e:NS1 and e:NP1 in China in 2022 and e:Ny1 in Europe in 2023.

These models are a part of the e:N Series being developed by combining cutting edge electrification and intelligent technologies with Honda DNA for monozukuri (the art of making things) represented by its originality and passion.

Development of the e:N Architecture exclusively for EVs

Honda developed the e:N Architecture in order to realize a sporty and exhilarating driving experience unique only to Honda EVs. The e:N Architecture consists of key components such as an electric motor which realizes smooth and dynamic acceleration and delicate control from the start in a wide range of driving situations, a large-capacity battery that realizes outstanding range and body frames designed exclusively for EVs.

Among three types of e:N Architecture for front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive, the e:N Architecture F (front-wheel drive) was adopted for the first set of e:N Series models introduced in China and Europe.

With the e:N Series, Honda has been continuing human-centric development and offering unique value which cannot be described simply by vehicle specifications. From the moment drivers put their hands on the steering wheel, the e:N Series models offer a comfortable fit with human sensibilities, respond faithfully to the intentions of the driver in various driving situations and offer a different level of comfort and fun of driving. By offering such unique value to customers, Honda has been striving to redefine the fun of driving EVs.

The e:N Architecture for front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive models

The e:N Architecture F adopted for the first set of e:N Series models in China and Europe

Development of e:N OS, advanced operating system for EVs

In order to offer a safe and pleasant space for the customers’ mobility experience with its new EV series models, Honda developed the e:N OS, an integrated system consisting of Honda SENSING, Honda CONNECT and a smart Digital Cockpit.

Prologue, Acura ZDX (North America)

As part of its EV strategy to introduce models tailored to the market characteristics in each region, Honda will introduce Honda Prologue and the Acura brand’s first EV models, ZDX/ZDX Type S, in 2024, as pioneering models to spearhead the full-fledged expansion of the EV lineup in North America. Both models are co-developed with General Motors (GM) and powered by GM's Ultium battery and will powerfully accelerate Honda’s electrification strategy in North America toward achieving carbon neutrality.

Dynamics, Range and Charging Performance

The electric powertrain for the Prologue was designed to achieve both excellent driving performance and outstanding range on a single charge.
To ensure excellent driving performance, the front and rear suspensions were optimized particularly for Prologue. Based on sporty driving enabled by dynamics expertise Honda has amassed to date, both single-motor (front-wheel-drive) and dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) versions were made available, offering more choices for the customers.

The high-power, high-torque dual-motor version generates maximum output of approximately 288hp and maximum torque of approximately 333lb.-ft. for more powerful acceleration and driving at the will of the driver.

As for driving range, Honda is striving to realize EPA (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) range rating of more than 300 miles (approximately 482 km) on a full charge of an 85kWh battery. In addition, Prologue models feature a DC fast charging system that accommodates high-power charging of more than 150 kW, and provide approximately 65 miles (approximately 104 km) of range after 10 minutes^*4 of charging, enabling the user to quickly charge on the go.

*4 When a fast charger with at least 150 kilowatts of output capacity is used. The charging time will vary depending on various factors such as the charger and battery conditions.

Image of the system configuration (Prologue)

N-VAN e: (Japan)

In Japan, mini-vehicles are important and indispensable vehicles that support people in their daily lives. Honda believes that the introduction of mini-EV models will be the first priority to popularize EVs in Japan.

Especially for commercial-use mini-vehicles, there is high demand for electrification among businesses from the perspective of reducing their environmental impact. To accommodate this demand, Honda will rollout a lineup of mini-EV models, starting with the introduction of N-VAN e:, a commercial-use mini-EV, in 2024.

The N-VAN e: is a commercial- and personal-use mini-EV model developed not only as an environmentally-responsible vehicle but also as an EV which will make every activity in a customer’s daily livfe, including working, performing daily chores and leisure time, more comfortable, fun and enjoyable.

With user-centric development based on a thorough analysis of the usability of mini-vehicles for businesses, the development team ensured, with sheer persistence, that the N-VAN e: inherits the layout for easy loading and unloading of cargo and a large, low-floor cargo space from the base N-VAN ICE model, despite carrying the EV battery under the floor. Such inherited features were combined with powerful EV driving.

The N-VAN e: is a van-style mini-EV unique only to Honda, which will be offered with a one-seater, tandem 2-seater or 4-seater packaging options.

Two different battery types to accommodate different customer needs

Honda is also working on the development of the MEV-VAN Concept, a mini-EV model powered by the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: swappable battery. In November 2023, Honda began demonstration testing to verify the practicability of this model for a package pickup/delivery service.

There are various issues that need to be addressed to use EVs for pickup/delivery services, including the inability to use EVs while being charged and charging all EVs simultaneously at night would contribute to an imbalance in the use of electricity throughout the day with a surge of use at night. With the use of swappable batteries charged with renewable electricity generated with solar power during the daytime, Honda MEV-VAN Concept will reduce the standby time and mitigate peak electricity use, which will contribute to the realization of more effective energy management.

Equipped with features to expand the value of EV models

To achieve high usability in commercial use, the N-VAN e: is compatible with a standard charger for 6.0 kW AC outlet, which shortens charging time to approximately five hours. By getting recharged overnight, the N-VAN e: will be fully charged and ready to be used the next morning.

Moreover, in consideration of usability while charging, the charging lid was placed on the front fascia, enabling users to get in and out of the vehicle and open and close the doors without worrying about charging cords and other devices when the vehicle is charging or being used for external output of electricity. Moreover, this charging port position makes it possible for users to park multiple units of N-VAN e: side by side and charge them from the front.

Furthermore, the charging port of the N-VAN e: can be used as a power output port. With the use of the Honda Power Supply Connector^*5, an AC external output connector, the N-VAN e: battery can be used to power electrical appliances up to 1500W in total, making it possible to easily use electricity from the vehicle not only for recreational activities, but also during power outages and in times of a disaster.
Also, with the use of a portable external power output device, such as the Power Exporter e:6000 or Power Exporter 9000, the N-VAN e: can realize high-output power output of up to 6kVA and 9kVA, respectively, which makes it possible to use multiple units of high-power electrical appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioning units in times of a disaster and other situations.

*5 A dealer option

Honda 0 Series, new global Honda EV series

During the period for the further popularization of EVs, which will begin in the second half of the 2020s, Honda will strive to introduce the best EVs from a global perspective. As a part of this strategy, in 2026, Honda will begin adopting a Honda e: architecture, a dedicated EV platform that combines the hardware platform and software platform.

The Honda e: architecture combines the EV hardware platform, including the battery, with the next-generation electronic platform which will serve as the basis for OTA updates (Over the Air. Technology to update vehicle software via the Internet) necessary to continue advancing vehicle functions after the purchase. By integrating hardware and software, Honda will maintain its connection with customers through the product, which will make it possible to continue offering various services and values after the initial sales of the product.

Honda e: architecture

Developing the Honda 0 Series by going back to the starting point and refocusing on the pursuit of the unique characteristics of Honda

The Honda 0 Series is the new and original global Honda EV series which will offer customers unprecedented value. In this transformation period for automobiles, Honda went back to the starting point of Honda monozukuri (art of making things) and determined to create new EVs from “zero,” which will become the new starting point of the future Honda. This series also represents Honda’s determination to continue pursuing its goal to realize “zero traffic collision fatalities” and “zero environmental impact.”

The starting point of Honda monozukuri is the pursuit of the M/M concept, the joy and freedom of mobility and the joy of driving. The M/M concept is a basic approach to Honda car design to increase the efficiency of the vehicle interior by maximizing space for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components. Moreover, Honda has always pursued the sense of exhilaration and feeling of oneness with the vehicle, which enables the driver to feel the joy and freedom of mobility. Lastly, Honda has always pursued the “joy of driving” which customers feel when they put their hands on the steering wheel and enjoy the feeling of oneness with the vehicle.

By infusing the upcoming global EV models with its unique spirit as an automaker, Honda will create EVs that offer customers out-of-the-box joys that only Honda can offer.