Honda reveals more details of next-gen 0 Series electric models

Honda has given more insight into its next generation of electric cars ahead of production beginning in two years’ time.

The Japanese brand revealed two concept cars at CES in January, heralding the launch of the Honda 0 Series family of dedicated EVs. It has since confirmed that it will launch seven models in the 0 Series range by 2030 as it looks to make up for lost time in the all-electric sector.

The first of the new range will be a saloon based on the concept shown earlier this year, which Honda says will be ‘close’ to the radical concept and will go on sale in 2026.

Powertrain details remain scarce but at the Honda 0 Tech summit, the car maker said it was aiming for a driving range of around 300 miles from the new saloon and targeting battery degradation of less than 10% over 10 years.

The battery will be an all-new unit, built using a new production system that Honda says brings better production efficiency and flexibility to create different sized packs for different vehicles. The new battery will be lighter and thinner than Honda’s previous cells and will be housed in a new casing created using ‘mega casting’ techniques that cut the number of parts from more than 60 to just five while allowing variation for a range of different vehicles.

The lighter battery is part of the ‘thin, light, wise’ approach Honda is applying to the whole 0 Series. This also applies to the use of more lightweight and high-strength materials in the body construction, and a simplified body structure that saves weight while improving body control.

All models will feature newly developed e-axles incorporating all the drive elements in a smaller, lighter package which allows more interior space as well as helping lower the centre of gravity.

The 0 Series models will use steer-by-wire technology rather than a physical connection between steering wheel and wheels, which Honda claims will create a ‘oneness’ between car and driver. They will also feature 3D gyro sensors based on Honda’s robotics technology to stablise the car in corners.

As part of the ‘wise’ approach, the new models will build on the level 3 autonomous driving tech that debuted in the Japanese-market Honda legend, allowing ‘eyes-off’ driving in some scenarios.

Honda also suggested the new models could include a host of entertainment services to make the cars a fun ‘space for mobility’ and could even feature a “virtual ride-sharing experience” to connect the occupants with people who are not in the vehicle using extended reality technology.