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Honda E electric car still a chance for Australia

Despite reports to the contrary, Honda head office hasn't ruled out offering the pure-electric E hatchback in Australia.


Honda Australia hasn't given up on bringing its cute-as-a-button electric hatchback – known simply has the Honda E – into local showrooms, despite reports that it has already been ruled out.

Reports from the Tokyo motor show claimed the Honda E was not coming to Australia based on a quote from Honda CEO, Takahiro Hachigo.

"Honda E is just for Japan and Europe," he told Australian media. "There are no plans unfortunately for Australia now."

But Honda Australia, which has previously said it wants a quarter of its volume to be hybrid or fully electric by 2025, is still holding out hope for the retro-styled hatchback.

“We love the Honda E, it’s a really exciting glimpse into Honda’s future and of course we would love to see it in Australia, but at this stage it has only been confirmed for Europe and Japan," a company spokesperson told CarAdvice.

Earlier this year, Honda Australia boss Stephen Collins said: “We definitely want it. As an urban funky looking runabout, absolutely."

“The world’s changing. Honda in Europe plans to have 100 per cent of its line-up electrified by 2025. There’s clearly regulatory change which is driving that in some markets (but) eventually our view is that will happen here," Collins said.

"There is greater (customer) acceptance, we are seeing signs of growth and we think that’s going to continue.”

Power in the Honda 'E' comes from a rear-mounted electric motor making 315Nm of torque, and either 100kW or 113kW. Driving range from the 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack is a claimed 220km – down on the 311km offered by the updated Hyundai Ioniq, and the 270km you get from the Nissan Leaf.

Hooked up to a fast charger, the batteries can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes.

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