Honda's future will still be hybrid, at least until 2030

The Japanese manufacturer has announced that it is working on a new generation of the full hybrid e:HEV powertrain, consisting of new engines

Photo by: Honda UK

By: Gianmarco Gori

Dec 19, 2024 at 3:58am ET

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Honda's future will continue to be hybrid, at least until the transition to 100% electric mobility is fully completed. The company announced this during a press conference to present the evolution of its business and the progress made with its two-motor hybrid system.

The Japanese carmaker is also studying how to make its cars more efficient, using new-generation engines, implemented capacity batteries and new platforms.

New platform and new engines

Honda's future hybrid cars will be equipped with the evolution of the current e:HEV powertrain and will be based on a new, more rigid and lighter platform.

To go into more 'practical' detail, this new full hybrid system - just like the current one - will be able to be used in three very different driving modes: EV mode, i.e. with electric drive only, hybrid mode, i.e. with the electric motor fed by the combustion engine as a range extender, and 'engine' mode, with the combustion engine directly connected to the wheels by means of a clutch pack.

And speaking of petrol engines, the new powertrains will be made up of new 1.5 and 2.0-litre Atkinson cycle engines with direct injection and several innovative features, combined with a new automatic transmission Honda S+ Shift. Finally, there will also be the option on some models to have E-AWD with a second electric motor positioned on the rear axle.

Honda CR-V PHEV (2023)

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Target 2050

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Honda aims for battery and fuel cell electric vehicles to account for 100 per cent of its global sales by 2040.

However, considering the current high demand for hybrid cars, the company explained that it will continue to develop new full hybrid models in the coming years, at least until the end of the transition period to electric, which it expects to be 2030.