Honda e EV discontinued after 3 years to make way for electric HR-V

The Honda e is a cute-looking fully electric (EV) hatchback that is only available in Japan and Europe. However, the adorable EV’s time is at its end with Honda Japan announcing that production of the EV will end in January 2024.

As stated on the Japanese Honda e’s model page, the EV will be discontinued and some colours may not be available. The fully-electric hatchback has a one-month waiting period according to Honda Japan and it is the only non-kei vehicle model to have a short wait time.

The Honda e is built at the Saitama plant and with the discontinuation announcement made, its time in Europe will also end. Honda Europe told Top Gear that it would not receive any orders for the electric hatchback and its replacement would be the HR-V-based e:Ny1 (pronounced as anyone) EV.

Also read: This "HR-V" is electric! 2023 Honda e:Ny1 launched in Europe as H brand's EV line-up expands

The electric Honda is based on the 2017 Urban EV Concept which paid tribute to Honda’s past compact models like the N600 and the first-generation Civic. Two years later, the first Honda e prototype was unveiled, offering glimpses of the production version which debuted in 2020.

Also read: Wall.E is jealous, here are 27 photos of the Honda E full-electric hatchback on sale in Malaysia for RM 208k

Despite the near-universal praise received for its retro-futuristic looks, the Honda e is generally seen as a sales flop. It was too expensive with prices in the UK starting from GBP 37,000 (~RM 218k) and had a limited range of a mere 220 km in a single charge.

It was a fashionable city car by heart with limited boot space and looks that would turn heads and stir hearts. A few units were brought into Malaysia via grey importers and one was even owned by the Johor prince which was involved in a minor hit-and-run with a careless Singaporean driver.

Also read: Want to stand out? Honda e now in Malaysia, priced from RM 210k

The Honda e was not Honda’s first fully electric car – that honour goes to the lease-only Honda EV Plus from the late 1990s – but it was Honda’s first mass-produced EV. It serves as the pioneer for Honda’s upcoming range of EVs as the H brand aims to power down its internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in favour of full-electric power by 2040.

Also read: Honda to be fully EV by 2040, goodbye VTEC and Type R