Honda announces a new hybrid product assault
With market demands evolving, Honda’s pivoting away from EVs for a whileThe News
Honda has become the latest brand to walk-back its global EV plans, instead opting to focus on hybrid technology with plans to launch “15 next-generation hybrid models globally” by early 2030. The brand even went so far as to reveal two new hybrid concepts that’ll spearhead the future portfolio that’ll be underpinned by next-gen powertrains and platforms.
The Key Details
- Honda ditches its ‘all-EV by 2040’ goal in favour of hybrids
- More than a dozen new-generation HEVs coming by 2030
- Two new concepts shown as a teaser of the new direction
- First new-generation models to be released in 2027
The Finer Details
Having previously wanted to be ICE-free by 2040, Honda has switched to a more sensible multi-technology pathway on its way to being carbon neutral by 2050, a pathway that’ll be lit by hybrids.
“Honda will reallocate more development and production resources into hybrid models … based on our belief that hybrid models will continue to be the key to addressing environmental challenges,” Honda Motor Co global CEO Toshihiro Mibe said during the brand’s 2026 business briefing.
All 15 of the planned next-gen models will sit on an all-new hybrid platform and powertrain architecture, the first of which will be released next year, derived from the Hybrid Sedan Prototype?shown at the business briefing.
Details are few and far between beyond a targeted 10-30 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency, an all-new e-AWD system (on certain versions) and the tandem rollout of Honda’s next-generation ADAS.
The sedan’s design is far from traditional, with the same true of the Acura-badged Hybrid SUV Prototype, the production version of which will emerge in 2028.
The Road Ahead
According to Honda’s global HQ, the bulk of the 15 new models will be aimed primarily at the North American market, many of which will be produced stateside.
How many will be made available to Australia is unclear for now, but company bosses have made it clear they’re not entirely done with EVs; they’ll just be limited mainly to kei cars in the short-term while groundwork’s laid for future product.
“Honda will continue laying the groundwork for introducing a highly competitive EV hardware platform for the future, so that Honda will be well prepared to meet demand when it emerges, Honda will continue the groundwork for introducing a highly competitive EV hardware platform as well as the research and development of all-solid-state batteries,” a spokesperson said.
Related: Honda Australia: Why we’re taking the tiny Super-ONE EV
Related: Honda Civic e:HEV L 2025 Review
Related: VFACTS April: Electrified vehicle sales soar
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