Honda is saying goodbye to combustion engines in 2040
Honda commits to EVs and fuel cell vehicles in 19 years
In case you missed it, automakers are announcing their intention to shift towards electrification instead. The latest to do so is Honda. The Japanese automaker announced that all vehicles sold by 2040 are to run on electricity. Unlike others manufacturers, however, Honda’s electrification goals by 2040 aren’t region-specific.
The news comes from Honda’s new CEO, Toshihiro Mibe. According to the timeline presented, 40% of its global sales will be EVs and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCVs) by 2030. It will then jump to 80% by 2035, and finally to 100% by 2040. The global markets, at least according to Honda’s timeline, are comprised of North America, China, and Japan.
To achieve its goal within a short period, Honda will make use of its connections and partnerships.
In North America, Honda will leverage its partnership with General Motors to release two “large-sized” EVs by 2024. The company also plans to release its first-ever EV Kei-car for the Japanese market in the same year. Over in China, Honda will introduce ten EV models within five years, the first being a production model based on the Honda SUV e: prototype coming in 2022.
As mentioned earlier, Honda won’t just be making battery electric vehicles alone. Like Toyota, Honda is also committing to hydrogen fuel cell technology. There are no specifics yet, but the automaker says there is more in store for the FCV line-up. Its use of fuel cell technology will also see more applications, including commercial trucks and other vehicles.
Aside from making zero-emission vehicles, Honda, as a whole, wants to be carbon-neutral by 2050. Considering Honda makes other products, including motorcycles and even planes, that is a tall order. In the same year, they want to eliminate road deaths involving its vehicles. To do so, Honda is pouring in extra effort into research and safety.
To show that Honda is serious about its goal, the automaker will be investing a total of JPY 5 trillion (over PHP 2.2 trillion) in the next six years for research and development.
Will these goals be realized? It’s likely considering how all other manufacturers are going in the same direction. However, it might be a little bit longer for the Philippines and other developing nations to adapt to full EV mobility. The widespread adaptation of EVs will all depend on a country's power grid.
