[TusharK]

Honda is evaluating battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for the Indian market and has initiated a feasibility study for EVs and flex-fuel models.



According to Takuya Tsumura, President and CEO of Honda Cars India, the company is accelerating the launch of its cleaner vehicles in India. It aims to move 2/3rd of its portfolio to electrified vehicles by the end of the decade.

That being said, Honda still believes that strong-hybrid technology is the best bet for India at this point in time. It offers better fuel economy with lower emissions compared to regular models and is said to be a stepping stone toward EVs.

Honda currently offers the City with a strong-hybrid powertrain option, which accounts for 8% of the total sales of the sedan in India. Given the demand, Honda is seeking higher allocation from its headquarters. With increased volumes, localisation could also be an option.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP News

[umohan98]

I hope this feasibility study does give some results to the team, that too in a reasonable period of time, unlike the feasibility study for the HRV/ Vezel.

[Mustang_Boss]

With the way india taxes Batteries and other imported tech, its not feasible for any company.

Whats the point of doing a feasibility study? They need to hire some bureaucrats so, they can push greenness into the system and its policies so the rates could be adjusted.

And Btw, is our Grid capable of supporting few thousands of Electric cars, if plugged in at the same time?

[Everlearner]

We have thousands of fantastic EVs plying on our roads and Honda is still doing a feasibility study? Wakeup Honda

Honda has lost its edge in Indian market with bad product planning. They should be more aggressive if they intend to come back to limelight.

[Livnletcarsliv]

Feasibility study? Seriously?
I don't understand the purpose of feasibility when brands like Tata, M&M, Kia, Volvo, Merc, BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc have already a long strong presence in the Indian EV space.

Again, 1/3rd of the portfolio to EV by end of the decade which is 2030? Honda is selling just 2 vehicles now - City (multiple versions and models) and Amaze. What is 1/3rd here?

Common, Honda - you are already on the losing side and still you think the people/market are dumb enough to take all your insensible stories?

[navpreet318]

They did the same when diesel was on the rise in India. Kept doing feasibility studies then. Lost out on the Great Indian Diesel Wave! And now they're doing the same thing again in Electric. When almost all other brands are coming out with EVs, they still want to do a feasibility study.

[ArTigor]

When your competition is aggressively launching or even planning to launch products in all segments, here is Honda looking to start a feasibility study. I think more than gauging market demand it will be more of a kind of Go No-Go exercise, or rather an internal assessment. It will not be a surprise if at the end they come up with a statement saying that the domestic market is not mature enough for Honda to cater with their EV's and hence they will focus on their ICE portfolio.
So say the feasibility takes 1 year and add another 1-2 year for the headquarters to approve/decide on it(remember the HRV saga), and then another 3-4 years for developing an India centric product, we are looking at anywhere between 5-7 years for this to become reality(if it does). Now imagine Tata and Mahindra EV portfolio 5 years down the line and the competition Honda has to face.
I have very less expectation in the EV segment from Honda in India, they have failed to even understand the feasibility of regular internal combustion products even after being present in India for more than two decades, They lost out with respect to time on diesel, now they are already losing time in the EV segment. For product launches, time is not only money, but also value.

[payeng]

Ironically, its quite opposite to the Famed Maketing Case Study "The Honda Effect".

[CarNerd]

Narcotics Control Bureau should raid Honda to know where they are getting their supplies from. Every now and then they come up with such silly stuff! Meanwhile, Indians waiting for Honda SUV 👇

[SKC-auto]

At the end of the study, Honda will let us know how India is not ready for electrification. Honda will also suggest us India needs more Hybrids, and why City ehev is the perfect car for Indians.

[aim120]

The Japanese companies are all pushing for either hybrid or hydrogen, this is because the Japanese government itself wanted this and the reason for that is the massive job losses in Japan associated with going full EV.

They will also push for flex fuel engines next.

[for_cars1]

Honda started and gained popularity in India as a niche automobile manufacturer/premium brand selling high quality and premium vehicles. They had premium vehicles in the portfolio with the lowest at City going up to Civic, CRV, Accord and they were doing well.

Somewhere down the line, Honda decided to venture into the mass market category (like Maruti) and compete there. It took a toll on their profitability and brand value and their low end products were not successful and had to exit the market. This faulty strategy impacted their top end products they ended up axing premium offerings like Civic, CRV and Accord which were their USP in the first place.

Honda should continue to operate in their USP area - premium segment with high quality offerings at competitive prices. Bring back the CRV, Civic and Accord albeit in strong hybrid/EV guise in future please.

If Honda is doing a feasibility study, it should be on what segment/price range of EVs can they effectively sell in India profitably and what EV infrastructure (like charging facilities) can Honda offer the Indian customers that can boost and sustain their EV sales.

Honda should introduce a concept of leased batteries from the very beginning, where customer just buys the EV and takes the batteries on rent from time of sale. The company can own the batteries and charge them and EV users could easily swap the charged batteries on rent. This will avoid the hassles of charging too and reduced ownership/upfront costs.

[Parasm]

Why doesn’t Honda India introduce their flagship EV cars like other cos in CBU or CKD form ? Or it’s just the way they work..? To introduce when technology is about to be dated !!

[bijims]

Originally Posted by Parasm

Why doesn’t Honda India introduce their flagship EV cars like other cos in CBU or CKD form ? Or it’s just the way they work..? To introduce when technology is about to be dated !!

Bringing in a CBU/CKD product wouldn't be competitive as it would be expensive owing to higher taxes. An EV designed and built for India in India would definitely be cheaper.

[yedukrishnan199]

While others have already starting developing dedicated EV platforms, Honda is just beginning feasibility study, They are too far behind in the EV race.