Honda confirms the launch of two new electric vehicles in 2018

Honda will launch two new electric cars in 2018, one for the Chinese market and another that will be sold worldwide. The Japanese brand has taken this decision to keep pace with rivals that have already launched several zero-emission cars, and in this way aims to have two-thirds of its sales come from electric vehicles before 2025; its main goal with electrified mobility.

Honda has been a leader in the development of hydrogen cars with the Clarity model, and has been a pioneer in hybrid cars since the launch of the Insight in 1999. But the growing political pressure to sell electric cars in China has forced it to change strategy. For this reason, the brand also wants to stand out in the electric car market and will develop two new models next year.

To speed up the development of future electric cars, the CEO of Honda, Takahiro Hachigo, ordered the creation of an independent electric vehicle development division in October 2016.

Hachigo has made it clear that the first electric model will feature “a high-density, lightweight battery, as well as a thermal management system and an evolved energy transfer device. The layout of the propulsion system will allow greater freedom in vehicle design”. The first electric vehicle from Honda is expected to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September of this year.

Hachigo also revealed that Honda is researching new high-speed charging systems that would be capable of delivering 240 kilometres of range per 15 minutes of charging. In addition, the Japanese firm intends to develop a new wireless charging technology.

On the other hand, Honda will launch an innovative hybrid powertrain across its entire European range, starting with the new CR-V, which goes on sale next year. The system already used in the Odyssey Hybrid and Accord Hybrid models consists of two motors: a 2.0-litre petrol engine accompanied by an electric motor; a unit already sold in the United States and Japan.