Honda Brings Another EV to Europe While the U.S. Gets More Hybrids

Electric Vision

These days, quite a few automakers are focusing on building EVs for the European market and hybrids for the U.S. market. Mostly because, well, we lack the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles. This list includes Honda, who recently confirmed that it will add a second EV to the Euro market in 2021 or 2022 to go along with the new all-electric Honda e. And that's just the beginning of their continued "Electric Vision" strategy.

Photos: Honda

One of Four

This second Honda EV will be one of four new electrified vehicles the automaker plans to launch next year. It'll be joined by the next-gen Civic hybrid, for starters. Honda is also giving serious thought to producing a plug-in hybrid version of the Civic, which sounds quite promising.

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>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Seeking Clarity

Automotive News has also reported that Honda is thinking about bringing its Clarity plug-in hybrid to Europe. This would be an easy way for the automaker to expand their electrified lineup in Europe, of course, though the company doesn't believe that these vehicles will make up more than 5% of the brand's total sales there by 2021.

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>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Strong Sales

However, the hybrid version of Honda's CR-V compact SUV, launched in 2018, now accounts for 60% of the model’s sales in Europe. So these strong sales could indicate a willingness on buyer's parts to make the switch to electrified counterparts when and if they're available.

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>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Final Options

The final two electrified Hondas are expected to be the hybrid HR-V crossover and a new Jazz, which would be sold in America as the Fit, which would only be available as a hybrid. 

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>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

New Architecture

Ultimately, Honda wants EVs to account for 15% of its 2030 sales. But it's likely going to take a few years before they start approaching that goal. The automaker is working on a global rear-wheel-drive electric-vehicle platform for its larger EVs destined for the US, China, and other markets. The new EV architecture will not arrive before 2025, however.

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>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!

Waiting Game

At least for now, it doesn't look like Honda will sell an all-electric vehicle in the U.S. until 2025, which is when they'll be able to offer a longer-range, larger option for American consumption. Which is somewhat of a bummer, but completely understandable given the current state of things.

Photos: Honda

>>Join the conversation on Honda's "electric vision" right here in the Honda-Tech Forum!