Honda is charting big plans — it is working on a new car platform from where it plans to roll out mid-to-high range electric vehicles (EVs), and by 2025, it will launch an EV that would be priced, perhaps, above the basic hatchbacks or compact SUVs.
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| Honda cars from new EV platform may have a tech edge -- Photo: Notebook Check. |
Honda tight lipped on details of new platform
Even though Honda has remained tight lipped about the details of its strategy, it has revealed plans of launching electric variants of the Acura ZDX and Prologue, maybe in 2024.
Affordable EVs from 2027
Honda also has a plan of launching affordable EVs from 2027 onwards, and this series of cars could head for emerging markets such as India.
Honda’s US, China plans
Honda wants to make its North American facility the production hub for electric vehicles.
According to Honda, it plans to set aside several electric cars for the Chinese market, which is quite lucrative.
Among the cars that could be rolled out there are the NS2 and NP2 EVs. There would also be an SUV version of the N-series cars.
Moreover, seven more electric vehicles — cutting across categories — would be launched in this market by 2027.
Honda global two-wheeler plans
The Japanese giant recently held a press conference in the US on the progress it has achieved towards business transformation and electrification.
The company lined up its ambitious plans — to introduce at least 10 electric motorcycle models globally by 2025 and is eyeing a higher annual sales of electric models at 3.5 million units.
Honda will roll out the EM1 e electric scooter by this year itself. It will be equipped with a Honda Mobile Power Pack e: swappable battery, and the launch plans are for Japan, Europe and Indonesia.
India launch plans
For the Indian market, Honda immediately plans to bring in a mid-sized SUV, a segment that is seeing the highest growth rate in the passenger vehicles’ category.
Honda has revealed a sketch of this SUV (see photo), which may be unveiled in June itself. It will compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, MG Astor, Skoda Kushak, Volkswagen Taigun and the Kia Seltos.
The new SUV will not be an electric car as India’s EV market is yet to come of age. This SUV may be based on the same platform of Honda City and be powered by a 1.5 litres petrol engine.
Honda may bring some modifications to suit the needs of Indian conditions, while the pricing may be around the Rs 13-lakh mark (Rs 13,00,000).
The engine of this SUV would be mated to a six-speed manual gearbox along with a CVT automatic transmission.
Semiconductor pact
Honda has set a target of transforming into an only-electric vehicle maker by 2040. The Japanese giant plans to partner Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company to ensure a steady supply of chips, owing to its mega EV plans, globally.
E-Vroooom’s views
Honda’s mid-to-high range electric vehicles from a new platform could rev up the company’s sales globally if some breakthrough in technology and features is achieved in the cars from this stable (with the first one coming in 2025), even though they are set to be priced above the basic hatchbacks and compact SUVs.
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