Honda's electrification plans for the Chinese market are, to say the least, ambitious. Over the next five years the Japanese brand plans to launch 10 new 100% electric models in the world's largest market and has even created a specific designation to identify them — e:N.
Developed, produced and marketed in China, models in the “e:N range” may then reach other markets, with Honda claiming it is “planning the global export of models in the e:N range developed and produced in China”.
Honda's first two electric models destined for the Chinese market will be the e:NS1 and e:NP1. Scheduled to reach the market in 2022, none of them hide their proximity to the new Honda HR-V. Interestingly, Honda claims that all e:N models will resort to a specific platform for electrics, a stretched version of the one used by the Honda E.
The Honda e:NS1 will be produced by Dongfeng Honda…
If you are questioning why Honda will offer two practically identical models in the Chinese market, this is very simple: the Japanese brand has two joint ventures in that country and each of them produces “its own models”. So, as with the “Chinese” Civic, Dongfeng Honda and GAC Honda will each have their own electric SUV.
look to the future
In addition to the Honda e:NS1 and e:NP1 Honda also revealed three prototypes that anticipate future models in this “e:N range”.
With a much more aggressive look than the two SUVs already ready for production, these three prototypes also have an aesthetic that more easily “denounces” their exclusive diet to electrons.
Thus, we have the e:N Coupé, the e:N SUV and the e:N GT, names that, given their simplicity, end up being practically self-explanatory. For now, Honda has not revealed any technical data about the Honda e:NS1 and e:NP1 or the three prototypes it has revealed.