While most four-wheeler manufacturers have been focusing their attention on Electric Vehicles, one particular brand hasn’t shown the same kind of eagerness – Honda. The Japanese four-wheeler giant gave its popular SUV, the CR-V, a hybrid treatment for some international markets. However, there was no news about a full-electric CR-V. Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK, Honda CR-V assistant project leader, Tetsuo Mikasa confirmed that Honda has no plans for a full-electric CR-V, as the hybrid version offers the ‘best benefit’ to its customers.
While there wouldn’t be a CR-V EV anytime soon, the Japanese brand did confirm that it plans to unveil more electric cars by end of this decade. Honda launched the Clarity Electric in the US market last year and has also confirmed the launch its first EV in China, this year – the production version of the Honda Everus EV Concept. Honda has also confirmed that it will sell the HR-V-based EV only in the Chinese market.
As for Europe, Honda will launch the production version of the Honda Urban EV concept, next year. The compact EV will compete against the Nissan Leaf and the production version of the VW ID concept, the latter of which was showcased earlier this year.
Honda also has plans to upgrade the Honda Fit (known as the Jazz in India) from a hybrid to full-electric in 2020. According to the Japanese four-wheeler giant, the Honda Fit EV will have a range of 300km and the brand has plans to sell over 1 lakh units, globally.
However, when it comes to the Indian market, Honda has no plans to introduce EVs any time soon, as it feels that the infrastructure and the market isn’t ready for electric cars.
Honda has launched the hybrid variant of the Civic in the past and it currently sells the Accord Hybrid in India. High import duties (brought via the CBU route) and insignificant subsidies from the government didn't allow either of these cars to gain popularity. The company will, however, launch the CR-V diesel in India in the near future.
Also see:
2018 Honda CR-V diesel video review
2018 Honda CR-V review, test drive
India-bound Honda CR-V likely to get 120hp diesel engine
Honda Civic, CR-V at Auto Expo 2018 first look video
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