Electric Honda eNP1 SUV launches keeping the sub-US$30,000 price promise

Honda launched its second affordable electric SUV, the e:NP1, that offers up to 320 miles of range on a charge and whose basic model starts from just US$26,160. The company aims to occupy the affordable EV niche by offering several sub-US$30,000 electric vehicles by 2027, and the e:NP1 is a step in that direction.

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Albeit a relative latecomer to the EV space among legacy carmakers, Honda has a US$40 billion strategy to fulfil and it just launched its second electric SUV in China, dubbed e:NP1. It is crafted by the joint venture with GAC, the makers of the 600-mile-range Aion LX+ SUV and answers the call of affordable EV transportation. GAC-Honda has priced the e:NP1 at a US$26,160 launch tag for the base model with the 260-mile (420km) range and there is also a version that can cover 316 miles on a charge which will cost the equivalent of US$32,450 after subsidies.

Since Tesla has occupied the luxury expensive EV niche, Honda will be trying to position itself as a maker of affordable electric vehicles and will be dedicating no less than US$40 billion to the task by 2030. Its partnership with GM over the Ultium EV platform will be aiming to produce a range of sub-US$30,000 cars by 2027 and, given how the e:NP1 panned out in today’s challenging supply chain environment, the task looks feasible. GAC-Honda also announced a new EV plant that will be operational in 2024 as “Honda is planning to introduce 10 e:NP1 Series EV models by 2027,” among which are bound to appear the aforementioned cheaper EVs.

The Honda e:NP1 is built on the fully electric “e:N F” architecture that offers dual-motor drivetrain with a peak corresponding output of 134 kW and 150 kW. GAC-Honda sells the SUV with three years of warranty or 120,000 km, while the actual electric drivetrain that includes the battery, motors, and their electronics controls, are covered by eight years of warranty or 150,000 km covered. Free road assistance and bi-annual checkups are also included, as well as five years of OTA software updates. Not bad for an electric SUV that won’t break the bank and carries the storied Honda logo.

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