Honda’s Entry Into EV And Strong-Hybrids Market

With an Elevate-based electric SUV, Honda Cars India plans to make its debut in the EV market by 2026. It has been announced that India would see the introduction of an EV based on Elevate in 2026. With a new moniker and design, this will be Honda’s first fully electric vehicle for our market. Three electrified variants will be released in 2026–2027. There will be two further battery-electric vehicles, one of which will be based on the Elevate.

It is safe to assume that all three of the models will be fully electric or hybrid cars. As per the worldwide corporate policy, we will continue to introduce and increase the proportion of vehicles that are electric. Alongside, the brand plans to launch two additional electrified models, focusing on hybrids and EVs to align with evolving CAFÉ 3 norms and global electrification goals.

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We previously revealed in an exclusive story earlier this year that Honda is developing a small electric car project called ACE. By 2026, the ACE, or Asian Compact Electric, which is based on the Elevate, should be ready, and between 50 and 70 percent of the cars made in India would be shipped to important international markets, such as Japan.

Importantly, though, the majority of other competing brands will have made substantial progress in their own electrification journeys by 2026. With their respective mid-size electric SUVs, Hyundai, Maruti, and Toyota will join the market in 2025, but Tata Motors, MG, and Mahindra already have a significant lead.

Honda was the first Indian automaker to introduce a powerful hybrid drivetrain with the City, but the vehicle didn’t become as popular as the company had planned. The management pointed out that, given the upcoming 2027 implementation of CAFÉ 3 standards, EVs will be more important than strong hybrids for India’s next electrification phase.

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In the present Indian automotive sector, Honda believes that powerful hybrids are more significant than plug-in hybrids or range extenders. However, more information about the hybrid lineup’s intention was not revealed by the management. Honda Cars’ major focus will be on SUVs, even as it continues to be dedicated to the sedan category and expects to improve its products in the future.