Honda Motor Co. last week announced its targets to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. As such, the core automotive products will see their propulsion or fuel usage changed to fully electric beginning from 2040.
The company’s latest direction and goals were highlighted by Honda Global CEO and President Toshihiro Mibe in his inaugural press conference as the company’s newest leader taking over from Takahiro Hachigo.
The plan to be offer fully electric or zero-emission powertrains takes a big step in 2030, where battery electric vehicles (EV) and fuel-cell EVs will make up 40% of the sales in major markets which consist of North America, China and Japan.
To start the ball rolling, Honda will offer a series of EVs which adopt e:Architecture, a completely new EV platform led by Honda, will first be introduced to the North American market from the second half of this decade, and then to other regions of the world.
Two North American-exclusive models, developed with General Motors, with be offered from as early as 2024. The ratio of EV-to-combustion engine will double to 80% and the headlining 100% fully electric fleet will begin in 2040.
Apart from just being fully electric without any local emissions, the production of automobiles and other products must also be as “clean” as possible, such as using renewable energy at all the factories. Besides focusing on hydrogen as fuel, the company will also research and develop carbon-neutral fuels, which is more suitable for use in aircraft.
The introduction of EVs will focus on localised sourcing and supply chain, such as batteries manufactured locally for the Chinese and Japanese markets. Honda will also move to the implementation of solid-state batteries by the end of this decade.
Closer to home, Honda Malaysia has already locally-assembled hybrid models since the Honda Jazz in 2012 and most recently the latest i-MMD hybrid technology through the City RS e:HEV hybrid.
As for safety initiatives, Honda will strive for zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050. Apart from fitting the latest driver assistance systems in vehicles, Honda will also approach the issue of motorcyclist safety through education and government/industry relations activities especially in emerging countries.
