04-291 3136 (Sales)
04-291 3008 (Service)
How Honda Is Advancing Its EV Strategy
Category : News
Honda was among the pioneers of hybrid powertrain tech in the world, but in recent years, the company has fallen behind other automakers that have invested heavily in fully-electric vehicles. In order to play catch up and make up for the head start that others have gained, Honda is looking to partner with companies with more advanced EV tech in order to advance its own.
Toshihiro Mibe, who was appointed Honda CEO in April 2021, is a former R&D boss for Honda. Among one of his most notable roles is helping Honda maintain its relationship with US carmakers General Motors, which gives him the relevant experience in keeping partnerships between automakers going. Mibe has also played an integral role in Honda’s strategy for connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles, which is a critical part of today’s automotive industry.
Mibe wants Honda to go fully-electric by 2040, although its larger vehicles may actually have a hydrogen fuel cell, not a big battery to store electricity. However, as of today, Honda only has one EV on offer, the Honda e, which is only available in Europe. Despite its great design and qualities, it has not gained traction due to its low travel range. Still, Honda is hopeful in the future, announcing plans to launch 10 new EVs over the next 5 years.
To achieve this, Honda has strengthened ties to other automakers, especially Mazda, Subaru, Ford and Volkswagen, with a specific focus on electric vehicles and autonomous driving tech. Another logical step would be for Honda to join forces with another Japanese automaker – representatives of all the major Japanese automakers have already begun cooperation talks under the umbrella of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).
Along with that, Honda plans to expand its partnership with General Motors, with a goal to jointly develop vehicles for North America based on a common platform, as well as share electrified, electric or ICE powertrains.
Although General Motors will build Honda’s first two fully electric vehicles for North America; one Honda Prologue SUV and one Acura SUV, Honda plans to change course and manufacture its own later this decade. While Honda and GM have been partners on hydrogen fuel cell and electric vehicles, both SUVs will have bodies, interiors and driving characteristics designed by Honda.
“It’s absolutely our intention to produce in our factories,” Honda of America Executive Vice President Dave Gardner said, adding that Honda has developed battery manufacturing expertise from building gas-electric hybrids. “We absolutely intend to utilize that resource.”
Honda has also taken proactive steps forward to advancing the EV push, notably signing a joint development agreement for Lithium-Metal secondary batteries with Boston-based SES Holdings, an EV battery research and development company. Seeing that the battery is a crucial component of EVs, Honda’s agreement looks at several options for next-generation batteries, including the all-solid-state batteries Honda is developing independently. This step is seen as a move to produce safe, high-durability and high-capacity next-generation EV batteries.
Still, despite the challenges faced due to the late push into EVs, Honda CEO Mibe said he relishes the opportunity.
“In fact I agreed to take on the top job because I get excited about the challenges that come with it. My motivation comes from the difficulties we find ourselves in now, especially with the pandemic and the once in a lifetime industry paradigm shift towards EVs and self-driving,” he commented.
“It’s not enough to come out with products we can call EVs, we have to push our efforts to make it a viable business.”
2022 may go down as the year the floodgates opened for EVs, with a huge number of them coming to showrooms to get almost every manufacturer into a seriously electric posture. Honda too is committing to this; with a target of two-thirds of its sales focusing on electrification—EVs and hybrids—by 2030.
We hope you enjoyed the article!
If you’re looking for a brand new Honda car, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.
