Honda e

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| caption3 = 3-door 2017 Honda Urban EV Concept

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The Urban EV Concept, first shown in 2017, was styled by Yuki Terai (exterior) and Fumihiro Yaguchi (interior) to evoke friendly and comforting feelings in prospective owners.{{cite web |url=https://global.honda/innovation/design/topics/TMS2017/Honda-Urban-EV-Concept.html |title=Design: Honda Urban EV Concept |date=2017 |website=Honda Global Design |access-date=17 September 2019}} Press coverage of the Urban EV Concept's styling called it "an adorable homage to some of Honda's first small cars, such as the diminutive Civic hatchbacks of the 1970s"{{cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/12/16294738/honda-urban-ev-concept-frankfurt |title=The Honda Urban EV Concept is the cool electric city car we need |author=Estrada, Zac |date=September 12, 2017 |work=The Verge |access-date=17 September 2019}} and compared it to other urban cars originally introduced in the 1970s and early 1980s, including the Volkswagen Golf and Polo, Peugeot 205, Fiat 126 and 127, and the Honda's N600, pointing out similarities to the styling of the concept vehicle's predecessor, the EV-N concept.{{cite news |url=https://www.motor1.com/news/180445/honda-urban-ev-concept-design/ |title=9 Cars (And A Toy) That Inspired The Honda Urban EV Concept |author=Bruce, Chris |date=September 14, 2017 |work=motor1 |access-date=17 September 2019}}

The pre-production car (named the Honda e) had its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019.{{cite news|author=|date=March 5, 2019|title=Honda e Prototype - Geneva Motor Show 2019 - (Honda Urban EV)|work=DrivingElectric|url=https://petrolhat.net/video/32391|access-date=}} Its styling is an evolution of the 2017 Urban EV Concept; Honda equipped the 2019 prototype with flush-mounted door handles and compact rear-view cameras on each side to simplify its profile and to improve aerodynamics. To facilitate charging from either side, the charging port is located in the middle of the car's bonnet (hood). The final production version of the e made its world debut at IAA 2019 in September 2019, held in Frankfurt, Germany.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/honda/e-electric-ev/ |title=Honda e: cute electric city car to cost from £26,160 |date=11 September 2019 |magazine=Car |access-date=17 September 2019}} Unlike the layout of the Urban EV Concept, which was a three-door hatchback, the production version is available only as a five-door model. Its name was confirmed by Honda in May 2019.{{cite news|date=8 May 2019|title=Honda e Teased As Production-Ready Urban EV|publisher=Motor1.com|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/348445/2020-honda-e-name-announced/|access-date=25 July 2019}}

On 10 September 2019, Honda announced prices would start at {{Euro|29,470|link=yes}} for the base model with the 100 kW motor (including local government subsidy) in Germany and {{GBP|26,160|link=yes}} with a subsidy in the UK. The more powerful "Advance" grade would start at {{Euro|32,470}} in Germany and {{GBP|28,660}} in the UK with the uprated 113 kW motor. Deliveries began in summer 2020.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/187340/pricing-details-confirmed-for-honda-e |title=Pricing Details Confirmed for Honda e |date=10 September 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}} Honda's stated their goal was to solely offer electrified powertrains in all mainstream European models by 2022.{{Cite web|title=Honda to electrify European line-up by 2022, not 2025|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/honda-electrify-european-line-2022-not-2025|access-date=2021-10-07|website=Autocar|language=en}}{{relevance?|date= November 2023}}

In late 2023, Honda announced production of the e would cease in January 2024, with no plans for a second generation model. This was due to slow sales of the e, with approximately 12,500 units being sold globally in a period of 3 years.{{Cite web|first=Takumi|last=Wakai|date=2023-12-14|title=Honda will cease production of its first EV e car after dismal sales|url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15083865|website=The Asahi Shimbun|language=en}}{{Cite web|first=Juan|last=Felipe Munoz|date=2023-12-14|title=Chrysler 300 and Honda e, two iconic cars drive off into the sunset|url=https://uk.motor1.com/news/700807/chrysler-300-honda-e-discontinued/|website=Motor1 UK|language=en}}

Despite its compact size being suitable for certain markets such as Europe, the car was not on par with customers' expectations, with a base starting price of €39,900 ($44,100), limited electric range on WLTP, and impractical interior ergonomics. Rivals in its class offered a better package at a more affordable price, contributing to the e's lack of success.{{Cite web|first=Chris|last=Chilton|date=2023-12-12|title=Honda's Cute-But-Costly E Is Getting The Chop In January|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2023/12/hondas-cute-but-costly-e-is-getting-the-chop-in-january/|website=CarScoops|language=en}}

Honda stated their first BEV had brought “many new customers to the brand” in the European region, and continued to strengthen their electrification plans in Europe with the recently introduced Honda e:Ny1 model.{{Cite web|first=Chris|last=Randall|date=2023-11-29|title=Honda e sales discontinued in Europe|url=https://www.electrive.com/2023/11/29/honda-e-sales-discontinued-in-europe/|website=electrive|language=en}}

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File:Honda e Advance – h 18102020.jpg

The e project was led by Kohei Hitomi; the exterior styling team was led by Ken Sahara and the interior styling team was led by Akinori Myoui.

According to Hitomi, the e faced significant resistance from within the company; other executives, concerned about the vehicle's range, argued that a larger battery was needed, but the project team insisted on using a smaller battery to complement the vehicle's small size and urban use. The positive feedback from the Urban EV Concept led to the approval of the production car.{{cite interview |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/why-honda-bosses-werent-convinced-about-e-prototype |title=Why Honda bosses weren't convinced about the e prototype |interviewer=James Attwood |date=27 February 2019 |subject=Kohei Hitomi |access-date=17 September 2019}}

The e uses a dedicated rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle platform, to facilitate agility and compact proportions for the urban market.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/161976/honda-e-prototype-world-premiere-at-geneva-international-motorshow-2019 |title='Honda e Prototype' World Premiere at Geneva International Motorshow 2019 |date=27 February 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}} The water-cooled battery pack is carried within the wheelbase of the car, below the floor to provide a 50/50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity. Driving the rear wheels eliminates torque steer.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/183624/all-new-honda-e-platform-engineered-to-deliver-exceptional-urban-driving-experience |title=All-New Honda e Platform Engineering to Deliver Exceptional Urban Driving Experience |date=13 June 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}} Agility is aided by torque vectoring.{{cite news |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-goodwood-festival-speed/new-honda-e-compact-ev-tackles-goodwood-hillclimb |title=New Honda e: compact EV tackles Goodwood hillclimb |author=Attwood, James |date=4 July 2019 |work=Autocar |access-date=17 September 2019}} The rear-drive also enables the front wheels to have a greater steering articulation, resulting in a turning radius (at wheel centre) of approximately {{convert|4.3|m}}, or {{convert|4.6|m}} at the body, i.e. a turning circle of {{convert|9.2|m}}, {{convert|1.6|m}} wider than the {{convert|7.6|m}} turning radius of the famous London black cabs.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/dec/09/history-london-black-cabs |title=The history of London's black cabs |author=Beetlestone, Ian |date=9 December 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=3 January 2020}} The platform features MacPherson strut independent suspension for each wheel.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/185161/honda-e-the-perfect-balance-of-efficiency-and-performance-for-urban-commuting |title=Honda e: The Perfect Balance of Efficiency and Performance for Urban Commuting |date=2 July 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}}

File:Charging interface Honda e.jpg Combo 2 connector charging port]]

The e features an electric motor at the rear, offering a power output of either {{cvt|100|or|113|kW|hp}}; both variants offer {{cvt|315|Nm|lbft}} of torque. According to Honda testing, the car can accelerate from {{cvt|0|to|100|km/h}} in 8.3 seconds. The e offers a 'Sport Mode' to sharpen acceleration response and can be driven in 'Single Pedal Control' mode, where releasing the accelerator will engage the regenerative braking system, slowing the car without using a separate brake pedal. Rumours of a potential higher-performance variant were quashed at the car's debut in Frankfurt.{{cite news |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-frankfurt-motor-show/honda-silences-rumours-hot-e-type-r |title=Honda silences rumours of hot e Type R |author=Burgess, Rachel |date=11 September 2019 |work=Autocar |access-date=17 September 2019}}

A 35.5{{nbsp}}kWh lithium-ion battery pack was claimed to offer a range of around {{cvt|220|km}} as per Honda internal data.{{cite web |title=Production Honda e final specs confirmed |url=https://www.autodevot.com/2019/09/production-honda-e-electric-vehicle-final-specs-confirmed/ |website=autodevot.com |access-date=8 September 2018 |language=en}} The e is equipped with a CCS Combo 2 connector, enabling both AC charging and DC fast charging. With DC fast charging, the car can be charged to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.{{cite magazine |url=https://magazine.automotivepurchasingandsupplychain.com/magazine/issue33/kohei-hitomi-honda.html |title=An uncompromising and stylish approach to the urban EV |author=Smith, Simon Duval |issue=33 |magazine=Automotive Purchasing and Supply Chain |access-date=17 September 2019}} Honda also announced the pending availability of its Power Charger, allowing a charging power of up to 7.4{{nbsp}}kW (single-phase). Three-phase charging (22{{nbsp}}kW) was not available. With a 7.4{{nbsp}}kW charger, the vehicle would charge to 100% capacity in approximately 4 hours.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/187341/honda-announce-next-steps-towards-electrification-of-european-business |title=Honda Announce Next Steps Towards Electrification of European Business |date=10 September 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}}

File:Dashboard Honda e.jpg

The instrument panel, which extends the full width of the interior, consists of five screens, including one dedicated {{cvt|8.8|in|disp=flip|adj=on}} instrument display in front of the driver and two large {{cvt|12.3|in|disp=flip|adj=on}} infotainment touchscreen displays flanked by two smaller {{cvt|6|in|disp=flip|adj=on}} displays for what Honda calls its Side Camera Mirror System.{{cite web |title=Honda e prototype |url=https://www.honda.co.uk/cars/new/coming-soon/honda-e/overview.html |website=Honda UK |access-date=25 July 2019}} The dual infotainment displays can independently run separate applications and are swappable; they support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/185983/honda-e-offers-advanced-connectivity-for-modern-lifestyles |title=Honda e Offers Advanced Connectivity for Modern Lifestyles |date=25 July 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}} The car is equipped with the Honda Personal Assistant, which uses machine learning to train its voice recognition; voice commands to the car are prefixed with "OK Honda".{{cite press release |url=https://hondanews.eu/eu/en/cars/media/pressreleases/186717/mass-production-honda-e-revealed-and-set-to-debut-at-frankfurt |title=Mass Production Honda e Revealed and Set to Debut at Frankfurt |date=4 September 2019 |publisher=Honda European Media |access-date=16 September 2019}}

The Honda e in its standard European market configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/honda/e/41399|title=Official Honda e 2020 safety rating|website=www.euroncap.com}}

Reception, in general, was positive due to the retro styling and mix of design and functionality. However, it was criticized for its limited range{{Cite web|title=Honda E long-term test review|url=https://www.whatcar.com/news/honda-e-long-term-test-review/n21833|access-date=2021-06-01|website=What Car?|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Honda e: long-term test review|url=https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/e/353911/honda-e-long-term-test-review|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Auto Express|language=en}} and high price.

Starting on 20 May 2019, customers in the UK and selected European markets (Germany, France and Norway) {{cite web |title=Honda's adorable electric car is officially on sale |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/hondas-adorable-electric-car-officially-sale |website=Top Gear |access-date=16 October 2019 |language=en |date=20 May 2019}} could place an order with an £800 (or equivalent) refundable deposit and Honda received over 25,000 expressions of interest across Europe,{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Luke John |title=Honda e electric car goes on sale in the UK with five bold colour options |url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/1129486/Honda-e-prototype-electric-car-on-sale-UK-new-colour |website=Express.co.uk |access-date=16 October 2019 |language=en |date=20 May 2019}} of which 6,500 came from the UK.{{cite news |title=Honda e confirmed as name of manufacturer's electric city car |url=https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/cars/honda-confirms-honda-e-name-for-its-new-electric-car-502408 |access-date=16 October 2019 |work=inews.co.uk |date=8 May 2019 |language=en}} By September, Honda had received 40,000 expressions of interest.{{cite news |title=Honda E Electric Hatch Price and Range Announced |url=https://www.automobilemag.com/news/honda-e-electric-car-pricing-why-it-doesnt-belong-in-the-usa/ |access-date=16 October 2019 |date=10 September 2019}}

Reviewing the e Prototype for Car, Jake Groves wrote that it demonstrated "how electric cars should drive" with a caveat that the test drive took place on a test track in Germany. The "low-ish available range and expected-to-be-lofty price tag" were expected to put the car at a disadvantage compared to entry-level EV rivals such as the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia e-Niro.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/honda/e-electric-ev/ |title=Honda E prototype (2019) review: charm offensive |author=Groves, Jake |date=2 July 2019 |magazine=Car |access-date=17 September 2019}} James Attwood, reviewing for Autocar, wrote the e Prototype has "nimble handling that fits its credentials as a versatile urban runaround — while offering the sort of fun driving response that should keep anyone already won over by the car's style happy."{{cite news |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/first-drive-honda-e-2019-prototype |title=First drive: Honda E 2019 prototype |author=Attwood, James |date=2 July 2019 |work=Autocar |access-date=17 September 2019}}

The Honda e won "Red Dot: Best of the Best 2020" in the automobile category.{{cite web |url=https://global.honda/newsroom/news/2020/c200330beng.html |title=Honda e and CBR1000RR-R FIREBLADE win Design Awards in the "Red Dot Award: Product Design 2020" - Honda e wins "Red Dot: Best of the Best" |date=30 March 2020 |website=Honda |access-date=18 April 2020}} It was named the overall "German Car of the Year" for 2021, becoming the first Japanese car to win the award.{{Cite web|last=Sensiba|first=Jennifer|date=2020-12-08|title=Honda e Is The First Japanese Car To Win The "German Car of Year" Award|url=https://cleantechnica.com/2020/12/08/honda-e-is-the-first-japanese-car-to-win-the-german-car-of-year-award/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=CleanTechnica|language=en-US}} At the 2021 World Car Awards, it won the "World Urban Car of the Year" award.{{Cite web|title=Honda Global {{!}} April 21, 2021 Honda e Triumphs at 2021 World Car Awards|url=https://global.honda/newsroom/news/2021/4210421eng.html|access-date=2021-10-07|website=global.honda|language=en}}

Honda expected to sell around 1,000 units annually in the Japanese market, and around 10,000 units annually in the European market.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-27|title=Honda to roll out its first mass-market electric car for Japan in October|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/08/27/business/corporate-business/honda-first-mass-market-electric-car/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=The Japan Times|language=en-US}} The car was not sold in the US market.{{Cite web|last=Baldwin|first=Roberto|date=2020-01-28|title=Why the Honda e Should (but Won't) Come to the U.S.|url=https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a30690248/honda-e-u-s-market-why/|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Car and Driver|language=en-US}}

• Honda Clarity, Honda's electric and fuel cell vehicle family in North America and Japan.
• Honda EV Plus, Honda's late 1990s subcompact EV
• Honda E:Ny1, the battery electric model of Honda HR-V

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Honda e}}

• {{Official website|https://www.honda.co.uk/cars/new/honda-e/overview.html}}
• {{Cite web |url=https://www.honda.co.jp/design/Honda-e/design-story/ |title=Honda e Design Story |publisher=Honda |access-date=April 14, 2020 |language=ja }}

{{Modern Honda vehicles}}

{{Honda vehicles timeline 2020 to date}}

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e

Category:Cars introduced in 2020

Category:Cars discontinued in 2024

Category:Subcompact cars

Category:Hatchbacks

Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Euro NCAP small family cars

Category:Production electric cars

Category:Retro-style automobiles