Is this cute EV the car Honda needs in Australia?

Perth Now

3 days ago

Honda has revealed its N-One e, a pint-size electric vehicle (EV) offering almost 300km of range and the ability to supply power to your home.
While the company has released images of the N-One e ahead of its launch in the northern Autumn (September to November), it has released little in the way of specifications.
Honda has confirmed it offers 270km of range on the WLTC cycle – one of the cycles used in WLTP testing – and vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging functionality, as well as a one-pedal drive mode.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
It hasn't released any performance figures, charging rates or dimensions, but the N-One e is almost certain to be under 3.4m long and produce less than 47kW from a single electric motor, per Japanese kei car regulations.
As is often the case with Japanese kei cars, the N-One e has a boxy shape and 'friendly' styling.
'She's so adorable you'll want to call her your partner,' reads Honda's website.
'The electric N-One has a face that makes you feel attached to it. You'll want to talk to it every day, asking, 'How are you doing?'' Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Honda has used recycled materials in parts of the N-One e. The grille, for example, is made from discarded bumpers, while the carpeting and insulation is made from materials like PET bottles and old employees' work clothes.
The interior is simple and versatile. The 50:50-split rear seats fold flat, while it appears you can shuffle between the front seats without snagging yourself on a console.
A recessed shelf also runs along the dashboard, with USB outlets located just above it to make it a handy spot to put your phone.
There's a free-standing infotainment touchscreen, as well as plenty of physical switchgear including for the climate control. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
The basic layout is similar to the N-Van e, a kei-class electric van launched late last year. However, it appears more plush inside.
The N-Van e offers 245km of WLTP range. Its single electric motor produces 47kW and 162Nm, while its battery can be charged at up to 50kW on DC power and up to 6kW on AC power.
Pricing hasn't been announced for the N-One e yet, but the N-Van e starts at ¥2,699,400 (~A$27,800) while offering front, front-side and curtain airbags, a heated driver's seat and a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, as well as active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
It measures just 3395mm long, 1475mm wide and 1960mm tall. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
ABOVE: Honda N-Van e
The N-One e joins Honda's N series of kei cars, which also includes the petrol-powered N-One, N-Box, N-Wgn and N-Van.
Honda says the N-One e 'inherits the endearing exterior design, spacious interior space, and easy handling' of the N360, one of the brand's first vehicles which was launched in 1967.
While the N-One e goes up against a growing contingent of electric kei cars – which includes the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X twins, as well as potentially at some point a rival from BYD – it's unlikely to come here. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
ABOVE, from left: Honda e:Ny1, Prologue, Ye P7, Afeela 1
Mitsubishi said it looked at importing the eK X, only to find it would be 'uneconomic' to sell it here without modifying it to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The company argued these federal regulations were a hindrance, as the eK X met Japanese type approval and safety requirements there.
The closest thing to these vehicles is the Hyundai Inster city EV, launched here this year with a base price of $39,000 before on-road costs. It's larger, measuring 3825mm long, and has up to 84kW of power and 360km of range depending on the variant.
Honda doesn't offer any EVs in Australia, despite selling a growing EV lineup in China, a couple in Japan, one in Europe, and the Prologue in North America that uses a General Motors (GM) platform. It has also established a joint venture with Sony to produce EVs under the Afeela brand.
The company's Australian arm said in 2024 that its first EV would be released here before 2028.
MORE: Everything Honda