Honda to bring brand a new EV next fiscal, not Elevate EV. Hybrids on cards as well
Honda has always been an icon in India. The company launched the Honda City way back in time, and from then on, this sedan has seen constant development. The Honda CR-V SUV also created quite a buzz back in the day with its good looks and strong performance. Then came the iconic Honda Civic which back in the day looked nothing short of a spaceship. It got even better when the company showed a brave face by launching the Civic Hybrid as well. From then on, the company somehow changed focus and in came cars like the Honda Amaze and now the Honda Elevate. But somehow, the new generation Hondas were not well received by the Indian audience. But all that could change rapidly, going by the words of Takashi Nakajima, the new president and CEO of Honda Cars India Limited. Nakajima says that the first BEV from the company is all set to launch next fiscal year and that more hybrids with the next-gen HEV technology will also make their way into India. So what does that mean? Let's delve deeper.
As per the new president and CEO of Honda Cars India Limited, Takashi Nakajima, the first BEV from the company will come next fiscal year, along with more hybrids.
advertisementThe Honda EVHonda had recently announced that it is getting an EV ready for India and that it will be based on the recently launched Honda Elevate. However things have changed now and the new EV will be a brand new vehicle and will not be based on the Elevate. While details are yet to emerge, we understand that Honda now believes that to succeed in India, the company has to differentiate between EV and ICE models. So rather than go the Hyundai way, where the Creta ICE and EVs look rather identical, it might go the Mahindra way and create a brand new models like the Mahindra BE 6 and the Mahindra XEV 9e. This, we believe is a great move and should establish the Japanese major as a strong player in India.advertisementConsidering the brand is all set to launch an EV soon, Honda is busy developing its charging network so that customers can buy the vehicle in confidence.More hybrids on cards
Honda was one of the first movers with hybrids. They launched the civic hybrid in 2008.
Honda launched the first hybrid in India back in 2008. It was the Civic Hybrid and was quite a revolution back in the day with its sleek looks and excellent performance. The company also offers the Honda City e:HEV in India that apart from ultra low emissions also offers an incredible fuel efficiency of 27.26kmpl. Hybrids surely is what India needs and Nakajima says that the company will bring the new generation HEV technology to India.The new gen tech deploys a 1.5-litre petrol engine that is cleaner than ever before offering nearly 40 per cent better efficiency. It will also be cost-effective. The system could also deploy a dual-motor system where there is one traction motor and the other one being a generator motor.advertisementTo conclude, Honda surely is getting back on track to offer products that are not only aimed at fan boys but a more younger audience and we believe it is the right way forward.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
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