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By Maki Shiraki
UTSUNOMIYA, Japan (Reuters) – While many automakers are betting on sedans and SUVs to transfer them to electric cars (EVs), Honda Motor Co Ltd of Japan says smaller is larger for its first fully battery-powered car produced in series.
The Honda e, launched in Europe before this month, is a compact style designed just for driving in the city. This contrasts with Tesla Inc, 0 whose Model 3 sedan dominates the battery electric vehicle market, and others such as Audi AG and Hyundai Motor Co, which have focused on long-range SUVs.
High battery prices have kept electric cars at the most sensitive end of the automotive market, and many automakers are featuring larger and more flexible models, some of which can reach up to 570 kilometers on a single charge.
The Honda e, however, has a battery capacity similar to that of the Model 3, traveling 280 kilometers consistent with the charge.
“Most EVs use large capacity batteries, but often, much of that capacity goes unused during city driving,” said Tomofumi Ichinose, chief engineer of the Honda e, told reporters earlier this week.
“We think larger cars are suitable for urban areas and we think smaller cars are a better choice for cities.
With a retro and ultra-compact design reminiscent of Honda’s 1960s old N360 and N600 models, the Honda e two-door is a high-end urban car, priced at around 33,000 euros ($39,000) than Renault’s Zoe ZE50, which is more spacious and has a longer battery life.
Ichinose said Honda engineers had prioritized accurate and accurate handling to allow simple U-turns on narrow streets. The side mirrors have been replaced by internal screens to prevent bumps and scratches when parking.
The model will be sold in Europe and Japan, where it will go on sale at the end of October. Honda expects annual sales of around 10,000 in Europe and 1,000 at home, where it will also introduce style into its fleet of carpools.
The automaker said it has no plans to market the in North America or China, its largest markets where SUVs dominate.
(1 USD – 0.8468 euros)
(This story corrects the title, the first paragraph to explain the new style is the first all-electric mass produced through Honda).
(Report through Maki Shiraki; written through Naomi Tajitsu; edited through MarkPotter)