Honda fans rejoice! Honda Europe's bossman has confirmed that they will produce the Honda Urban EV Concept.
The car, originally shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, features compact retro styling combined with the very latest electric vehicle technologies. Little else is known about the car, but it will be revealed in due course.
As a confirmation, Philip Ross, Senior VP at Honda Europe was quoted as saying, “A production version of this highly acclaimed concept will be introduced to Europe during late 2019, and in response to the positive feedback to this model, we expect to open order banks for the Urban EV during early 2019.”
The production Urban EV, which will be slightly smaller than a Honda Jazz, will be the first of many fully-electric or hybrid models to come from Honda. Electrified technologies should make two-thirds of its sales in Europe by 2025.
There is no news as to whether Honda SA will introduce the Urban EV in South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Honda Amaze and the Honda Elevate: WR-V Successor Debuts in SA.
FAQ
Q: What does the Honda Urban EV cost in South Africa?
Honda SA hasn't confirmed local availability yet, so no official pricing exists for the Urban EV in South Africa. If it does arrive, expect it to cost around R450,000 to R550,000 based on similar electric vehicles in the SA market.
Q: When will the Honda Urban EV be available in South Africa?
There's no official word from Honda SA about local availability. The Urban EV launches in Europe in late 2019, but South African customers will have to wait for Honda to announce local plans.
Q: Is the Honda Urban EV worth buying?
If Honda brings it to SA, the Urban EV could be worth considering for city driving thanks to its compact size and retro styling. However, South Africa's limited charging infrastructure makes it a risky purchase for most buyers right now.
Q: How big is the Honda Urban EV compared to other Honda models?
The production Urban EV will be slightly smaller than a Honda Jazz, making it Honda's most compact offering. This positions it as a city-focused runabout rather than a family car.
Q: What electric range does the Honda Urban EV have?
Honda hasn't released official range figures yet, but expect around 200 to 250 kilometres of city driving based on the car's compact battery pack and urban focus.
Should You Buy It?
Hold your horses, Honda fans. While the Urban EV looks absolutely brilliant with its retro-cool styling, Honda SA hasn't even confirmed it's coming to our shores. Even if it does arrive, expect to pay north of R450,000 for what's essentially a city runabout smaller than a Jazz. The best electric city car under R500,000 in SA right now is actually the BMW i3, but honestly, most South Africans should stick with petrol options until our charging network improves. Wait for Honda to announce local plans before getting too excited about this stylish little electric number.
