The Honda e was Supposed to Enter the US Market But...
Honda feared that it wouldn't perform well and thus steered the hatch clear of the U.S.
Narrow Miss
The Honda e is a lovely electric hatchback that stole the hearts of many EV fans when it debuted not too long ago. Unfortunately, the United States missed the opportunity to be included in the automaker's distribution plans. According to the project manager, the car was designed with Europe and other global markets in mind. The U.S. was to be included, but the decision was scrapped about three years ago.
Photos Courtesy of GreenCarReports.
Low Demand
The reason behind the decision was due to fear that the car would not have been in demand for the American EV car market. Apparently, small cars don't perform very well in the U.S. and according to Kohei Hitomi, the Large Project Lead for the Honda e development, if the car makes it to America, Honda would have to carry out some changes for it to meet the U.S. safety standards.
Surprising Response
Having already decided not to distribute the Honda e to America, the guys at Honda were surprised at the positive response received from the U.S. media about the car. The automaker has been keeping an eye on the E's response worldwide and according to Hitomi, the outcry of the U.S. was the most surprising. He went on to add that the company might have to rethink its distribution strategy with time.
The e Strikes a Chord
In the past, the American market has not been kind to smaller EVs. This can be seen in the low sales numbers of the Smart Fortwo and the Fiat 500e vehicles. When it comes to the Honda e, however, it seems to have stricken a chord with consumers eager to hop on the EV wagon. Its form and function allow it to maintain full utility while offering a competitive estimated 110-mile range and 50-kWh DC fast charging.
Amazing Specs
The e doesn't win any range battles, but it does pack a host of wonderful features to complement its simplistic look. Buyers get a spinning motor with either 134 horsepower or 152 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels. The car takes about eight seconds to get from 0-62 mph in full ninja-like silence. The battery is one of the most compact in its range and makes the e a great choice for urban commuting. Recharging it for 30 minutes gives you about 80 percent juice which is pretty great for recharge time vs range.
The Inside
The inside of the Honda E comprises a full-width digital dashboard that comes with five screens. Two 12.3-inch LCD displays are included with a host of applications so that the occupants have all the information they could need at their fingertips. Included in this display is the infotainment system that will feel right at home for anyone who uses a tablet or smart phone.
Hybrids
According to Honda, a continuous roll-out of hybrids is the best way to prepare the U.S. market for EVs. For the time being, America will have to settle with the idea of a rather slow release of two-motor models. The next car expected from Honda is the Honda CR-V Hybrid which will debut early next year. The Honda e is expected to reach dealerships in Europe just in time for the summer of 2020.
Future Plans
Honda plans to enlarge its hybrid lineup such that it accounts for up to 60% of sales by 2030. Plans for electric vehicles aren't clear yet, but we expect that pressure and competition from other automakers will raise the chances of seeing more EVs shipped to America.
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