Honda’s 2020 EV- the Honda e was launched exclusively in the auto markets of Japan and Europe. India is one of the top markets for this manufacturer and has yet to receive an eco-friendly model from the company. Though it is still a potential candidate for Honda’s Indian EV endeavour, we’ll take a look at why Honda e is suited to this very picky customer base.
From two-wheelers to four, Honda is one of the most trusted auto makers in India and rightly so. Their cars are as robust as they are cost-effective; and the company, from years of operation on Indian soil, is well-acquainted with market trends and customer tastes. This is one of the reasons why launching the Honda e here could be a major success.
With the green wave of electric cars, many major companies have launched their own eco-conscious models and the local EV trend is just beginning to take pace with companies like Tesla choosing India as a target bazaar.
The RWD 5-door hatchback Honda e hit the European and Japanese markets as a B-segment compact electric car. Its exterior design recalls the Honda Civic with a touch of design and styling advancement. The body looks extremely sleek for a hatchback with flowing lines and hidden door handles, and is a welcome change from regular hatchback designs on-road. The vehicle is offered in five exterior shades.
On the inside, the subcompact car feels anything but compact. The modern and minimal cabin is functional with a panoramic sky roof and foldable rear seats that add to its spacious feel. Made for an urban setting, the vehicle’s paltry 4.3 m turning radius is a huge plus for driving on the narrow streets of India.
The electric city car goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds with its 154 PS MCF5 Permanent Magnet Brushless motor, 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and 1-speed fixed gear transmission. The vehicle’s driving range is 220 km while its ‘rapid charging’ replenishes the battery to 80% in just 31 minutes.
Electric cars are gaining popularity as means of reducing carbon footprints and cutting costs on refuelling regular vehicles. If produced in India at any Honda facility, the electric car will have an expected starting price of INR 27 lakhs while an imported unit will cost around INR 54 lakhs (Approx.).
Favourite Car: '67 Camaro
Quote: Always focus on the front windshield and not the rearview mirror - Colin Powell
- up! can be Volkswagen’s answer to Maruti Swift & Hyundai i10 Nios in India - February 15, 2021
- Save Gotham! Somebody abandoned a Batmobile in Mumbai - January 24, 2021
- Should Honda e be the Japanese Automaker’s First Electric car in India? - January 22, 2021
