All Honda cars sold in Europe will feature electrified powertrains by 2025.
The Japanese manufacturer made the announcement at the Geneva motor show, building on a statement two years ago that Honda was planning to electrify two-thirds of its vehicles by 2025.
Honda Motor Europe senior vice-president Tom Gardner said that since the first pledge was made in March 2017, the shift towards electrification has gathered pace considerably.
“Environmental challenges continue to drive demand for cleaner mobility – technology marches on unrelentingly and people are starting to shift their view of the car itself,” Gerdner added.
The announcement coincided with the reveal of the Honda e Prototype, which points directly towards Honda’s first production battery-electric vehicle for Europe. This is expected on sale in Europe later this year followed by a UK launch in early 2020.
Two more doors
The e Prototype retains the basic format of the concept first seen at the 2017 Frankfurt show but is now a four-door car instead of a two-door.
Honda says that the production version of the e Prototype will be capable of delivering an all-electric range of “over 200km” (124 miles) and charging to 80% capacity from zero in just 30 minutes when using a fast charger.
While technical details of the drivetrain have yet to be revealed the concept is rear-wheel drive, bucking the trend for electric vehicles which are traditionally front-wheel drive. Comments at the show suggested it will offer around 100hp.
UK prices of the production model are expected to be between £30,000 and £35,000. Honda says it has already received 15,000 expressions of interest in the car across Europe.
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