Honda Motor has recently unveiled its first kei-class passenger mini-electric vehicle (EV) called the N-ONE e: in Japan. Priced at Y2.7m ($18,300), the N-ONE e: offers a range of 295km per charge, surpassing Nissan Motor’s Sakura with a 180km range.
The development team faced challenges but managed to maintain the vehicle’s spacious interior and cargo space by reducing the battery pack thickness and power unit size. This design also allows the N-ONE e: to have a low overall height suitable for multi-level parking structures.
Kei cars hold a significant market share in Japan, with Honda’s top-selling gasoline-powered N-Box leading the pack. Despite the slow transition to EVs in Japan due to high prices and inadequate charging infrastructure, Honda aims to promote EVs starting with familiar car models.
Honda’s Japan regional operations head, Hideo Kawasaka, emphasized the importance of strengthening the Honda brand in the EV market amidst increasing competition. Other Japanese manufacturers like Suzuki Motor and Toyota Motor are also set to release their kei EVs soon. Additionally, China’s BYD plans to introduce an electric kei car in Japan next year.
In other news, Honda recently unveiled the sixth-generation Prelude coupe after a 24-year hiatus, showcasing a design inspired by the model’s legacy. The company also announced plans to relocate its global headquarters to a new development near Tokyo Station by 2029.
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