At a media event held at the brand’s European research and development facility in Offenbach, Germany, Honda outlined the next steps its European operations will take in contributing towards the global target of carbon neutrality by 2050. Honda officials gave more details on the approach it is adopting with a range of new products and services to be rolled out in the region. These include the launch of three new SUVs, one being the all-electric e:Ny1, a significant broadening of the company’s e:Progress “energy management” charging service, and the introduction of the company’s first electric two-wheeler for the region called the EM1e:.

“Today, we’re expanding the range of automobile products and technologies to the widest it’s been for many years,” said Katsuhisa Okuda, President and Director of Honda Motor Europe. “Furthermore, by evolving our offer beyond a product focus to also include energy services, we are laying the foundation for future electrification, whilst contributing towards our global sustainability targets.”

When the new Civic was launched last year, the brand achieved full electrification—mostly through hybridization—of its automobile range in Europe, making it the first Honda region to do so, according to Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President, Honda Motor Europe. “With the arrival of these three new SUVs, including our second EV, and our first electric moped, we are delivering against our commitment to sustainability and the contribution Europe will make towards Honda’s global transition.”

Honda’s electrification extends beyond its latest vehicles, with continued investment and broadening in scope of the brand’s charging infrastructure ambitions. Focused on the development of clean-energy services, its projects include research into hydrogen as a clean energy carrier, along with further charging and storage solutions aimed at maximizing efficiency and sustainability—the first real-world application of which is e:Progress.

“At Honda, we believe in mobility and energy as a service, and our energy research program is a test bed for how best to offer smart and sustainable solutions for both society and our customers,” said Takehiro Wada, President of Honda R&D Europe. “Not only will these be of benefit to the environment and take pressure off domestic energy infrastructure, but they will also deliver cost-savings back to our customers and further demonstrate the breadth of Honda as a full-service electric mobility company.”

 

e:Ny1 SUV

The e:Ny1 is aimed at meeting the growing customer demand in Europe for all-electric B-segment SUVs. The new EV is built on Honda’s newly-developed e:N Architecture F, a front-motor-driven platform focused on three fundamental attributes: a dedicated high rigidity body structure, a low center of gravity, and carefully managed underfloor aerodynamics.

The new chassis developed specifically for battery-electric vehicles has improved torsional rigidity thanks to high-tensile-strength steel used across 47% of the body by weight. Clever packaging of the electric drivetrain components is said to ensure that it offers “remarkable” interior space and comfort.

“The e:Ny1 is the logical next step on our electrification journey in Europe,” said Gardner. “Our development philosophy blends intelligent, customer-centric technology with beautiful design and fun-to-drive dynamics.”

The new EV debuts a new electric identity for Honda, with white “H” badges on the vehicle’s nose, wheel center caps, and steering wheel. A new typeface spells out “Honda” on the tailgate—a look that will feature on the brand’s future EVs.

The platform incorporates a high-performance, lightweight three-in-one integrated power drive unit, electric motor, and gearbox. The combination generates a maximum output of 150 kW and 310 N·m (229 lb·ft) and is engineered to provide smooth and comfortable acceleration and deceleration. An underfloor 68.8-kW·h lithium-ion battery pack delivers up to 412 km (256 mi) of range on the WLTP cycle and DC fast-charging capability from 10% to 80% in 45 min.

Inside, the center console features a simple layout of easily accessible buttons, multiple storage options, and wireless charging. The uncluttered dashboard is topped by a large 15.1-in touchscreen that provides access to a suite of infotainment and driving options.

 

e:Progress charging

The dramatic scale-up of the e:Progress charging service will be available for owners of the e:Ny1 full EV and the CR-V e:PHEV plug-in hybrid. In the next 12 months, the service will be offered in more European markets, and then Honda plans to expand the service to non-Honda EV owners. Already live in the UK and available to owners of the Honda E since 2021, it schedules access to low-cost renewable electricity by combining a smart EV charger with a dynamic energy tariff and intelligent charging app.

Following an analysis of UK customers, Honda can confirm average annual savings of £500, increasing to as much as £1000 for high mileage customers.

Honda says it is the only car company providing such a service under its own brand. With the commitment to widen its availability in the future, the brand is aiming to be a major player in the European smart charging market.

“We believe e:Progress has the potential to revolutionize the efficiency and cost-effectiveness with which EV owners charge their vehicles going forward,” said Jorgen Pluym, General Manager, Energy Solutions and Business Development Division, Honda Motor Europe. “Now, as we make it possible for customers to integrate their residential solar array into their charging network, in addition to making the service available across Europe and to owners of non-Honda vehicles, we expect to supercharge the growth of the service in the years ahead.”

The solar optimization feature was recently made available in the UK and Germany, intelligently scheduling a customer’s charging for when they are likely to have the most available self-generated solar energy. It considers upcoming weather forecasts and user-defined requirements—such as state-of-charge and planned departure time—to calculate when is best to charge the vehicle. Along with a “time of use” tariff, the new feature will ensure the most efficient and renewable vehicle charging for customers while also reducing stress on the local grid.

Future phases of development will include additional grid and bi-directional charging services, which can further maximize the use of renewable energy and reduce the burden of EVs on the power grid. In the long term, the service may even extend beyond EVs, adding household appliances such as static batteries and heat pumps into the domestic charging infrastructure.

 

EM1e: two-wheeler

The introduction of the EM1 e: in Europe follows the September 2022 announcement of the company’s plans to introduce 10 or more electric two-wheelers globally by 2025. It is also a notable first step towards meeting Honda’s stated aim of carbon neutrality for its motorcycle line-up during the 2040s.

The electric moped is aimed at a young demographic looking for easy, fun, emission-free urban transport. It is compact, flat-floored, and has “smooth” styling that marks out its unique identity within the Honda range.

Honda believes the EM1 e: is a compelling proposition for a typical student who might do a 30-km total “lap” of the city during an average day. Compact, easy to use, and offering clean mobility, most of the moped is conventionally designed, with a steel underbone frame, telescopic forks, twin shock absorbers, and disc front/drum rear braking.

What’s new are the electric in-wheel motor and the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: that can be removed for easy recharging at home using a custom charging unit.

The in-wheel motor produces a peak of 1.7 kW. The moped’s top speed is 45 km/h (28 mph), and the EM1 e: can climb a 10° angle with a 75-kg (165-lb) weight on board.

The in-house developed 50-V Honda Mobile Power Pack e: offers a usable riding range of 41.3 km (25.7 mi). Econ mode sets output at 0.86 kW, softens throttle operation, and reduces top speed, extending the usable range to about 48.0 km (30 mi).

The EM1 e:’s swappable battery can be easily removed for charging at home. The 10-kg (22-lb) pack can be easily carried and replaced via its handle. Its charger with air-cooling fan draws from a single-phase AC 100 240-V domestic source to produce a maximum of 270 W. Charging time is about 6 h from zero to maximum and 2.7 h from 25% to 75%. The battery pack can be charged over 2500 times.

Also new is the sales method. To ensure customers do not have to take responsibility for the disposal or recycling of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, the EM1 e: and its Honda Mobile Power Pack e: and charger will be available based on a lease, rental, or subscription scheme depending on the country. This is intended to give customers peace of mind throughout the life of the EM1 e: regarding both the continued performance of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: and its eventual disposal.