Honda Sets 2040 As Target To Sell 100% EVs Only

Honda is looking to drastically reduce its carbon footprint in the next few decades. The company aspires to become carbon neutral by 2050 by making adjustments to its manufacturing and corporate activities. Within that same time frame, it also hopes that there will be zero traffic collision fatalities involving its motorcycles and automobiles.

Electrifying its range of vehicles is one way of achieving said targets. The company will be expanding the use of its mobile power pack swappable battery platform and enabling infrastructure-linked smart power operations. It also plans to promote the use of hydrogen and other carbon-neutral fuels in areas where the use of the EV platform isn’t feasible, such as for aircrafts.

For its vehicle sector alone, Honda plans on greatly increasing the sales ratio of EVs and fuel cell vehicles (FCV) to other platforms in major markets. It plans on 40% by 2030, to 80% by 2035, and then to 100% globally by 2040. The company admits that said targets are challenging to achieve, but are necessary to greatly improve and realize its potential.

North America, Japan and China are two key markets where Honda plans to see EV/FCV unit sales ratio reach 40% by 2030, 80% by 2035 and 100% by 2040. Honda and GM are jointly developing two large-sized EV models using GM’s Ultium batteries. They will be introduced to the North American market as model year 2024 vehicles.

In China, the company has been steadily introducing EV models over the past several years. It plans on introducing 10 Honda-brand EV models within five years. This includes a SUV e:prototype that is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2022. It also plans to strengthen collaboration with CATL for the supply of batteries.

In Japan, it will focus on “local production and local procurement” approach. Honda is aiming to introduce Cruise Origin, an electric self-driving vehicle being jointly developed with GM and Cruise for the Japanese Mobility Services Market (MaaS). It should hit the market around 2025 but development and testing will begin this year.

Besides this, Honda is also conducting independent research on all-solid-state batteries. The tech, which allows for high energy capacity at a lower cost, will be used to manufacture its next gen batteries. Expect to see them being in vehicles by 2025 or later.