Japan's Honda Motor has announced its plans to launch a new electric vehicle (EV) series from 2026, as the company strives to catch up with its global competitors in the shift to battery-powered cars. Honda, which is the second-largest carmaker in Japan, has been relatively slow in increasing EV sales compared to European and American rivals like General Motors and Volkswagen. Simultaneously, it faces competition from newer players like China's BYD.
At the CES trade show in Las Vegas, Honda unveiled its "Honda 0 Series" and two concept models. These new additions are part of the company's strategy to have all of its new car sales powered by either battery or fuel-cell vehicles by 2040. Honda plans to roll out the first models of the new series globally, starting with the North American market.
During a media briefing in Tokyo, Honda executives revealed that the company aims to introduce the first models of the series by 2026. However, specific details such as pricing, the number of models, and sales targets were not provided at that time.
According to Honda's sales data, battery-powered vehicles accounted for less than 0.5% of the company's worldwide sales, with approximately 11,000 vehicles sold in the first nine months of 2023. Most of these sales (93%) occurred in China, while none were recorded in North America.
Honda has previously expressed its goal to manufacture two million EVs globally per year by 2030 and aims to introduce 30 battery-powered models by that time. In line with these plans, the automaker unveiled two concept models at CES: the Saloon, a sedan likely to seat four or five passengers, and the Space-Hub, a van-like vehicle capable of accommodating six or seven people. While the designs may undergo some changes, the concept models are expected to closely resemble the final production versions.
In addition to its new EV series, Honda also revealed a revamped logo for its electric vehicles. The redesigned logo features a more tilted and sleeker design compared to the existing one.
Amidst these developments, Honda is reportedly in discussions with Canadian officials regarding the possibility of constructing a nearly 2 trillion yen ($13.9 billion) EV plant in Canada. While details about this potential manufacturing facility are still emerging, it demonstrates Honda's commitment to expanding its presence in the growing EV market.