Honda Australia confirms interest in e Prototype

Honda Australia has set itself a mandate to electrify 25 per cent of its new car fleet by 2025, on the back of landmark new models like the new e Prototype shown at the Geneva motor show (pictured).

The director of Honda Australia, Stephen Collins, announced the target during a media briefing in Sydney this week, essentially aligning with Honda Europe's target of achieving 100 per cent electrification by 2025.

"We pioneered hybrids in Australia with the first generation Insight, and have offered many hybrid models since, including the Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z, later generation Insight and Accord Hybrid," said Collins.

Honda can lay claim to selling the very first hybrid model in Australia – the first-generation Insight that beat the Toyota Prius to market by three years. However, the car-maker essentially ditched the technology (with the exception of the NSX and other low-volume examples) four years ago because "the market was tiny and we couldn't make it work economically".

Collins believes that acceptance has shifted for hybrid and electrified vehicles, which continue to capture attention courtesy of developments abroad.

"Today the market is different – yes it's only at 1.5 per cent of total sales, but it's going to grow in the future as acceptance is improving," Collins said.

"Having hybrids and electric models in Europe will likely bring the cost of them down in Australia, yes," he added.

"We don't yet have the emissions regulations that necessitate the hybrid and electric technology in Europe, so the premium over a regular petrol-powered car in Australia needs to be at maximum reasonable and the value equation needs to be there to sell in bigger numbers."

Leading the way for broader acceptance of electric vehicles in the local line-up is the Honda e Prototype shown at last week's Geneva motor show. The concept is said to be 98 per cent reflective of a production model, with first sales slated globally for 2020.

Based on all-new bespoke architecture created for pure-electric models, the new e Prototype is claimed by Honda to be capable of covering around 193km between charges under the strict WLTP test regime. Collins described the e Prototype as a perfect candidate to lead Honda Australia's electrification charge.

"We absolutely want it as an urban roundabout for Australia. We have had an extraordinary amount of interest in it and if we can get the business case to stack up, we'd love to offer it locally," he said.

Collins, who is also on the board for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said the upcoming May election had virtually put a hold on any ongoing electric talks with government. He warned that government policy would make the difference in broader electric car take-up, and Honda is not the only brand making this call.

"Government uncertainty here makes it hard for us to go to head office and ask for what we want," he said.

"All we call for is certainty regardless of government party: when new legislation will be introduced, what the legislation is, how it will change the market for consumers and so on, so we can prepare for the future in terms of models, drivetrains and local offerings."