Honda to present near-serial Urban EV for Europe
Honda’s first all-electric model for the European market is taking shape. Following the presentation of the Urban EV concept car at the IAA 2017, a near-serial version of the battery electric vehicle will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show coming Tuesday, 5 March.
According to Honda, 95 percent of the “e Prototype” already corresponds to the production version, the production start of which is “still planned for this year”. Sales are expected to begin in 2020. Honda has already revealed that the range of the electric car, designed as a city car, will be over 200 kilometres according to the WLTP standard and that it has a quick-charging function with which the battery can be charged to 80 percent within 30 minutes.
A video from Fully Charged on e Prototype shows that Honda relies on a CCS connector and Panasonic cells. The model is based on a new platform for electric cars that allows compact proportions with relatively long wheelbase, wide track and short overhangs. A “powerful” electric motor is used to drive the rear wheels. Honda has not provided any further technical data in the run-up to the fair. Also the price not yet been announced.
By 2030, Honda is targeting worldwide sales of electric vehicles (BEV, PHEV and HEV) of 65 percent. In China alone, the Japanese company intends to offer more than 20 electrified models by 2025. With the first electric model VE-1 already presented, a second electric vehicle for use in car sharing services is to follow this year. No technical details have been provided for the vehicle yet.
Meanwhile, Honda is saying goodbye to diesel in Europe. Starting in 2021, when the new Civic comes, there will be no more Honda diesel models in Europe, said Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda in the UK, at the end of last year. In all likelihood, the diesel models will be phased out in the upcoming model changes.
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