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For years , Honda has trust on hybrids — not so much EVs — to drive its electrified mission . All of that is about to change with the Honda 0 Series , a portfolio of new electric vehicle that will go into yield over the next several yr .
Honda has been cod the Series 0 EVs since at least last year with theSaloon and the Space - Hub conceptsthat were revealed at CES . Now the automaker is preparing to showcase raw features and engineering at CES 2025 that ’s meant to preview a future production framework .
The Nipponese automaker recently provide TechCrunch with a stoolie peep of its clean start ( which is what that numeral 0 is meant to symbolise ) , and while some of the feature in this new slate of EVs are not fully baked , it ’s light Honda is occupy a big and high-priced swing at battery electric vehicles . In the U.S. alone , the car manufacturer isinvesting $ 700 millionto retool three of its Ohio factories for EVs , the first of which is slate to go into production in belated 2025 .
I recently visit company headquarters in Tochigi , Japan , where the automaker assure me its aim is to do something Modern . Honda does n’t want to wrench its popular ICE ( home burning railway locomotive ) cars into EVs , but or else wants to revolutionise how vehicles , and more specifically EVs , are designed . And it has adopted a mantra of “ thin , light , and wise ” to achieve it .
The stakes are high for Honda , a troupe know for its low-priced and reliable cars . The Honda 0 Series EV will have to appeal to its loyal customers , while attracting Modern ones — all while standing out from the growing figure of challenger .
Seven Honda 0 Series models by 2030
Honda plan to release seven Honda 0 Series models by 2030 globally . The railcar manufacturing business is direct for 300 miles of range , and it seems like they will render just enough kWh to reach that number regardless of vehicle . In other words , Honda has no interest in providing mega - grasp at the disbursement of a heavier battery .
The party said it ’s point a charge speed of 15 % to 80 % in 10 or 15 min and wants to keep battery debasement below 10 % after 10 long time . Further , it hopes to have some variety of fomite - to - X capability , meaning it will be able to pass along with other equipment or infrastructure , but Honda would n’t give particular . It could power your star sign , or maybe another fomite — perchance both .
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When squeeze for pricing , the troupe would n’t commit even to a price scope . While the flagship Saloon will likely be pricy , the eternal rest of the Honda 0 Series machine will credibly debut in the low- to mid-$50,000 range .
The tech inside the Honda 0 Series EV
While Honda ’s “ slight , light , and wise ” fathom like merchandising , the words do splice directly back to the design and the technology inside these future electron volt .
“ Thin ” refers to the new EV chopine , which has a lowly drive acme and excellent aerodynamics , both of which prey flat into the fun - to - drive theme of “ light . ”
The Honda 0 Series cars will be spacious and feature a fresh build up flesh that works with natural philosophy instead of against it to provide more stability in the corner . Honda hopes to accomplish the thin and light elements through advance in the manufacture outgrowth and design .
Honda read the “ wise ” constituent means its future EVs will be adequate to of Level 3 automated driving , so users will be able-bodied to tug it without their optic on the road or script on the wheel for extended full point of time . It will also feature by - telegram capacity in the steering , hanging , and brakes , meaning no forcible connexion between the physical inputs ( like steering steering wheel and Pteridium aquilinum pedal ) and the factual mechanical components in the railroad car ; the information processing system will interpret all the driver ’s actions to the car . A wise UX system will be capable to monitor the driver ’s climate , undefended doors , and even send passengers into a VR - generated world , Honda lay claim . Honda says it will unceasingly improve its UX feature with OTA ( over - the - air ) update .
While most of the UX “ wise ” technology Honda show us was very much in the epitome stage , the “ thin ” and “ light ” factory tech looked to be the most developed . A storage warehouse - sized mega - split molding machine that applies 6,000 tons of pressure to run aluminum spit out bombardment cause parts for the new thin battery modernize with LG , while a robot weld both thin and thick metal at the same time for a impregnable , lighter human body .
The Honda 0 Series frame might be stronger , but it really has some flex to it . That may vocalize a little counterintuitive — after all , the chassis is the backbone of any vehicle and every year manufacturers blow that their chassis is X percent more rigid than last class . Not Honda . The troupe order it has found a way to use body flex to its advantage , increasing loads to the outside tires for better grip during cornering while at the same metre reducing weighting .
Honda has partner with Hitachi to develop a new eAxle . This galvanising motor has a little inverter and can be installed horizontally , again allowing for more inner space as well as a lower hoodlum and shorter overhangs than competitors . A orotund eAxle has about 240 HP 180 and a smaller one is skilful for about 67 crib .
Test driveof an early representation: Pretty good
I got a brusk drive on Honda ’s run track to try some of these fresh component . What look like an Accord was actually equipped with the flexing framing , thin battery , and an eAxle in the front and ass . However , the contrive steer - by - wire tech was not installed and the suspension had n’t really been tuned for this Accord body .
Nevertheless , it ’s an genuine early representation of what to require and I can say it ’s … good ?
It was a very agile drive with very subtle changes and no current Honda EV fomite on hand for comparison .
great power delivery was quick , and if the figure was turn , I did n’t notice it . I find confident in the turns but I ’ve never been in a Honda thatdidn’tfeel unchanging in the corners . The elevator car felt a little wonky over some pavement undulations but again , the interruption was not graduate at all . At this spot , all I can say is that the railway car felt fine and I face forth to driving the fully baked version .
The UX “ wise ” feature are what will likely make or give away the Honda 0 Series and most of the detail presented on this trip were still in the development phase . The company depict us a video of a car recognise who was approaching and opening the appropriate threshold . We also saw videos about the plan Level 3 autonomy that will lick on unfamiliar roads and in changing environments . A 3D gyro will help oneself foretell instabilities on slippery pavement and make moment change in the by - wire technology to keep the car running smoothly . Again , none of these features were in reality prove , just shown on video .
However , Honda did have a prototype interior arrange up that could recognize equipment driver stress and flirt soothing music . It remember an old rider and his preferred preferences and even make love there was a dog in the car that might need a weewee or toilet fault . At least , it knew there was a toy click in the car . presumptively it would recognize a veridical dog as well .
The most well - developed “ judicious ” tech was a just - for - fun VR characteristic . I put on a VR headset and was send from Honda HQ in Tochigi to a car in downtown Yokohama with two Honda technologist . I had a 360 - grade view that worked sanely well in tangible time and I could spill the beans to my young friend and quest the latest Taylor Swift strain . My opinion had a smaller image with navigation , euphony , or speed information that I could change with a laser pointer - case social unit . This laser arrow would also “ heart ” unlike objects around me . I gave centre to the Ferris cycle , a bozo riding a scooter , and what I think was the CupNoodles Museum . It was swell playfulness .
In all , Honda looks to be on the verge of some jolly cool technical school , sham it all come to fruition . Everything we saw in Japan should debut on the next Honda 0 Series concept car at CES in 2025 . Further , the company has substantiate that in 2026 it will free a production version of the Saloon construct we saw at CES 2024 that will be “ fairly close ” to the futuristic construct car .
