Don’t fear EVs, says Honda. They’ll be fun to drive. That’s the promise at least with the carmaker’s first full electric vehicle, the Honda e, built on a new dedicated EV platform.
Designed from the ground up to deliver the driving dynamics Honda is known for, the battery is positioned at a low level under the floor and centrally within the wheelbase of the car. This results in a 50/50 front-to-back weight distribution and a low center of gravity for optimal handling and stability.
Honda's new compact electric vehicle, the Honda e, is the first Honda to be built on a dedicated EV platform, designed from the ground up to deliver excellent Honda driving dynamics. Power from the high-torque electric motor is delivered through the rear wheels, which gives steering precision even at high acceleration.
Moreover, the four-wheel independent suspension is engineered to offer outstanding stability in all conditions. Even the elements of the suspension components themselves are built around performance and efficiency and are made of forged aluminum.
The Honda e will use a 35.5 kWh lithium-ion high-capacity battery (smaller than the Nissan Leaf), but will still deliver a range of over 200 kilometers. Moreover, thanks to a fast-charge capability, it will provide a 80 percent charge level in just 30 minutes.
The battery pack is water-cooled to maintain an optimum thermal state therefore maximizing the efficiency of the battery and charge state, while also ensuring its size and weight are minimized so that it does not compromise cabin room.
Designed with a focus on simplicity and usability, the Honda e charging port is integrated into the hood, with LED lighting visible through a glass panel to illuminate the port for the driver and highlight the battery charging status. The positioning of the charging port allows easy access from the front of the car or from either side. Displays on the dual touchscreens inside the car present the current level of battery charge, while a drivetrain graphic charts the current power flow and the regeneration and recharging status.
Honda says they’ve already received 31,000 “expressions of interest” for the Honda e and it will be launched first in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Norway by the end of this year with the rest of the world to follow.
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