Honda e moniker confirmed for production-spec Urban EV

-    First pure electric vehicle from Honda.

-    The Honda e will go on sale in Europe later this year.

-    India debut is likely to happen post-2021 

Honda has confirmed that their first all-electric city car will be called the ‘e’. It will be the production-ready version of the Urban EV concept first showcased at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show. The e will go on sale in the European market later this year alongside the upcoming new-generation Jazz. 

A near-production version for the Urban EV was showcased at the Geneva stage this year. It was called the Honda e prototype and now the Japanese carmaker has teased the same moniker for the production version.

The e is a part of Honda’s ‘Electric Vision’ strategy for the European countries. We know now that the cutesy little electric hatch will retain much of its design and shape from the e Concept. The circular headlamps and taillamps will be retained and they’ll be integrated into the blacked-out panels both fore and aft. The floating roof effect will also be present to add to its appeal. 

The e will be slightly smaller than the Honda Jazz. The large alloy wheels seen on the concept will make way for conventional, EV friendly wheels. Other elements like smooth body contours, flush A-pillars and door handle, charging point integrated centrally into the bonnet and LED lights visible behind the glass panel are expected to be carried over in the production model. 

On the inside, similar to the concept, the e will have a futuristic cabin. The e Concept had five screens dominating the cabin and we think the production model will retain most of them. The lounge-like feel of the seats and the sense of spaciousness will also be one of the e’s forte. 

Under the skin, there is an all-new EV-specific platform developed especially for the new crop of electric Hondas. No specific details regarding the powertrain have been divulged at the moment, but the Japanese carmaker claims a range of 200 kilometres and a fast charging battery that will reach 80 per cent in 30 minutes.

The Honda e will be built in Japan and it will go on sale in selected European markets by late 2019. Indian debut of the e is likely to take place after 2021 -  as a part of Honda’s electrification plans.