Honda reveals big plans for an electric-vehicle future

HONDA is getting serious about electric cars, and CEO Toshihiro Mibe has spelled out to Auto Express how the 0 Series will be central to its strategy.

- Alastair Crooks

Mibe announced in an interview at the company's Tochigi plant in Japan: "As we move from the early stage to the widespread adoption stage, the time has come to invest resources in our EV strategy. It's not like we don't have the technology to produce EVs, so we want to compete globally in the future market."

A seven-strong line up of 0 Series models has been announced, kicking off with the striking Saloon in 2026, a mid-size SUV and an entry-level SUV later that year. In 2027, the company will introduce a larger, three-row SUV that could rival the likes of the Kia EV9, and the following year we'll see a compact crossover.

This will be followed by yet another SUV in 2029, before a smaller saloon rounds things off in 2030.

While some have been left wondering if Honda has left it too late to emerge as a force in the EV market, Mibe remains positive.