Honda Motor has introduced its inaugural kei-class passenger mini-electric vehicle (EV), the N-ONE e:, in Japan, with a retail price of Y2.7m ($18,300).
N-ONE e: development manager Hideaki Horita emphasised that the development team for the N-ONE e: faced numerous challenges but succeeded in maintaining the vehicle's roomy interior and cargo space.
This was achieved by reducing the thickness of the battery pack and the size of the power unit, while ensuring that the overall height remained low enough to accommodate multi-level parking structures.
With a range of 295km per charge, the N-ONE e: surpasses the 180km range of Nissan Motor’s Sakura, as reported by Bloomberg.
The publication noted that kei cars represent approximately one-third of Japan's car market, and Honda is a leading player with its top-selling gasoline-powered N-Box.
However, the transition to EVs in Japan has been slow, with consumers deterred by high prices and insufficient charging infrastructure, showing a preference for gas-electric hybrids.
Hideo Kawasaka, who is responsible for Honda’s Japan regional operations, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: “When it comes to promoting EVs, our way of thinking is that it should start with the cars most familiar to people.
He added: “We anticipate that the competitive environment will become increasingly severe going forward, so we plan to make ongoing enhancements in order to strengthen the value of the Honda brand in the EV market.”
Other Japanese manufacturers, including Suzuki Motor and Toyota Motor, are said to release their kei EVs within the year.
Additionally, China's BYD has plans to introduce an electric kei car to the Japanese market next year, according to the Financial Times.
Recently, Honda revealed the sixth-generation Prelude coupe after a 24-year hiatus, touting a design inspired by the model's legacy.
Furthermore, Honda announced its intention to move its global headquarters to a new development near Tokyo Station in the Yaesu district by 2029, departing from previous plans to rebuild at its current location.
