The Honda ‘e’ is the concept car that didn’t grow up.
When Honda introduced the Honda ‘Urban EV’ electric car at the Frankfurt motorshow in the twenteens, the crowds went wild. People loved this adorably cute little concept car and begged Honda not to change a thing.
This often happens with concept cars, but when they arrive on our roads, you’re sold something that is much tamer than the original. However, this time Honda listened. “Give the people what they want” they told the production team. So, what is the Honda ‘e’?
Looks
The dinky little Honda ‘e’ is going to divide people. While some would rather ride the bus then be seen in Honda’s smallest model, the customers that love the Honda ‘e’ will tell everyone about it. And they will tell them with such passion, that Honda’s marketing department can spend time promoting their new range of Hybrids.
The chunky looks are divisive, but from it’s launch it drummed up such viral interest, that Honda have had a hands-off approach. The less they played with its revolutionary style, the better. And they were right because the people agree it looks fantastic.
Unlike the competition, Honda have manged to make a compact EV, but with five doors. That may sound simple, but very few people will put up with having to scramble into the backseats of a three-door hatchback anymore. And the clever engineers at Honda have gone further still; the eye-catching alloy wheels are designed to reduce brake dust, keeping your new EV cleaner for longer.
The indicators are built into the LED headlights, and if something looks off to you, it’s because something else is missing. Look closer, and you’ll see that the stocky little ‘e’ has no wing mirrors. Take a look inside and you’ll see why.
Interior
This is the Honda’s party piece. The interior of the ‘e’ is like nothing else on the market.
Those wing mirrors that are missing, that’s because they’ve been replaced with tiny aerodynamically efficient cameras. Inside, the displays bookend the dashboard. Between those sit the driver and passenger screens – that’s right, you both get a touchscreen display. This means the passenger can safely search for Sat-Nav locations, and then simply swipe them on to the driver’s screen – distraction free.
The seats are covered in a positively chic Melange grey cloth – another left-field choice Honda. This recycled fabric is waterproof and compliments the simplicity of the Honda’s exterior. Honda has called this it’s ‘lounge’ approach to interior design. The dash is finished in a faux-wood, again made of recycled materials, that gives a nod to the (local) zero-emissions produced by your new car.
The gearbox is replaced by a simple selection of buttons; Park, Drive, Neutral, and Reverse. Not only is this sprightly little Honda easier to drive than a normal fuel supping hatchback, but it means it can offer more space is a smaller package. Which also lends itself to a lighter feeling interior.
Engine
Firstly, what engine? It’s pure electric. Charge the batteries, and away you go. However, you do get a choice of how fast you go. The standard Honda ‘e’ comes with a choice of two motors. The standard ‘e’ is surprisingly nippy, but the top of the range ‘e Advance’ is powered by a motor equivalent of 150PS – which makes it more powerful than Honda’s traditional engines offered in the Jazz Hybrid, Civic, or HRV.
The weight distribution is practically 50 / 50, a statistic usually reserved for sports cars. This, and the Honda’s rear-wheel drive, result in a sublime responsiveness. The instant torque isn’t for boy racers, its most beneficial at busy junctions or overtaking cyclists on hills.
Range is a constant concern for those considering the swap to electric. And that would be an issue for the Honda’s electric customers, except Honda isn’t targeting high mileage buyers. The ‘e’ was debuted as an ‘Urban EV’, and it’s 135 miles range is plenty for the commute of most drivers. If you only charged twice a week, you could drive nearly 13,000 miles in a year – but you won’t, because you’ll get into the new habit of charging on a regular basis at home or work.
There are connections for Type 2 AC and CCS2 DC Rapid Charger built-in – these terms may be alien to you now, but they will become more common as the markets range of EV’s increases. But, what it means, is that this tiny little car has some seriously high spec internal features. You’ll be able to charge the battery much faster than the other limited range of small EV’s currently on the roads.
Competition
There are plenty of big electric vehicles on the market. That’s because they are easier to shoehorn a battery into. However, a small EV is something of a rarity. Even more so if you need one with five doors. That discounts the upcoming Mini Cooper Electric and the existing Renault Zoe. Leaving behind the French built Peugeot e-208 and the German designed trio of Skoda Citigoe IV / Seat Mii / VW UP.
Comparing the VW three-piece isn’t fair. It’s an old model that has been retrofitted with an all-electric powertrain. And once you step inside to see drab grey plastics, you’ll wish you were back in the Honda.
However, the Peugeot does put up a fight. It looks much more ‘typical’ of a small hatchback then the Honda, and produces similar power. It offers more mileage (217 miles), but that gain comes at a cost. The basic e-208 means the £28,715 ‘active’ model is a £16,845 car, with a £11,870 battery. To drive the range topping e-208 ‘GT’ with all its bells and whistles, you would have to part with £32,965.
The top of the range Honda ‘e Advance’ is fitted with all these toys as standard, and is cheaper than the Peugeot’s basic model. It may offer a smaller battery, and thus smaller range, but what you get is much better value. If you can replace your local journeys with the Honda, you’ll spend the school run in a vision of the future.
Business User
Pure Electric cars are going to make the most sense to company car drivers. The UK government has just introduced 0% benefit in kind (BIK) company car tax, meaning besides the monthly payment for the car, there is no company car tax. Also fuelling your new Honda e is roughly 4p per mile, compared to 14p for a standard petrol – which adds to the savings.
The Honda makes case for itself for those that already have another car at home, and simply need to get to the office and back. Or, wrapped in company colours, the Honda e colour be the most eye-catching pool car in the business park.
Island User
The Island isn’t exactly EV friendly. Currently there are too few charging stations available in public. However, if you can charge at home over night or at the office while you work, then the Honda e could be the perfect second car.
The Honda e’s range is enough to drive around the Island twice, or across it five times. Range is not an issue. The nippy motor will easily overtake cyclists with safety, even up hill, but also silently glides around beach towns in refinement that only an electric car can deliver.
The drive is energetic and nimble – it’s not just eco-friendly, but great fun. As it is rear wheel driven, like a sports car, the power is delivered where it is supposed to be. Also, it means the front wheels have a huge amount of room to turn, meaning the turning circle is smaller than a London Black Cab. It’s exceptionally manoeuvrable and perfect for getting out of situations that would hamper any other car.
Choice
Value Choice: Honda e all-electric
Range Topper Choice: Honda e ‘Advance’ all-electric
Local Choice: Honda e ‘Advance’ all-electric
Verdict
In the future, electric vehicles will make sense. When their range is will be long enough to replace our primary cars and charging stations are widely available at home, work, and in public. We’re not there yet, but the revolution is just around the corner.
For those that want to replace their small second family car, or regularly do short journeys, the Honda is the premium small-car choice on the market. There is nothing that looks as edgy as this fantastic little package, and the interior has a wow-factor that leaves flagship cars from luxury brands trailing.
The past is pure fossil-fuel, the future may be electric (or, possibly hydrogen), but for now the present is eclectic. In the meantime, the Honda e is the small electric car to make you think twice.
