Honda has revealed details of its first all-electric car, the Honda e, which will be debuted in prototype form at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July ahead of its public debut later this year.
Honda charged ahead with fuel cell and hybrid technology and has now embraced battery electric with the release of details surrounding the chassis, battery and charging of its all-electric e compact car. This is the first Honda to be built from the ground up as a battery electric vehicle and, as such, is on a bespoke ev platform.
The car will feature a water-cooled 35.5 kWh Lithium-ion high-capacity battery that can be charged using either Type 2 AC connection or a CCS2 DC rapid charge with at-a-glance LED indication of charging status.
Phil Webb, head of car at Honda UK, said: “Confirmation of the chassis, platform, battery and charging details of the Honda e marks a key milestone in our preparations to unveil the final production version of the model later this year. I’m looking forward to seeing the Honda e Prototype in action for the first time in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.”
The Honda e is intended for urban environments and will have a low centre of gravity with a 50:50 weight distribution with drive to the rear wheels which Honda said will allow steering precision even under hard acceleration.
“When combined with its compact size and short overhang, the Honda e delivers next-generation small car agility to make city driving enjoyable and tight manoeuvres in urban environments effortless,” Honda said.
Boasting a claimed 200km driving range, the Honda e will be able to be charged via either Type 2 AC connection or a CCS2 DC rapid charger providing 80% charge in 30 minutes.
The Honda e charging port is integrated into the bonnet, with LED lighting visible through a glass panel to illuminate the port for the driver and highlight the battery charging status. Displays on the dual touchscreens inside the car present the current level of battery charge, while a drivetrain graphic charts the current power flow and the regeneration and recharging status.
The Honda e is the first step in the brand’s plan to feature “electrified technology” in 100 percent of its European line-up by 2025. The Honda e will make its European production debut later this year with more details and specs to be released closer to the launch.
