(EVs) in the near future. Some states, like Washington, have passed laws that will ban the sale of gas-powered cars.
Fully electric vehicles are taking over the auto market. Many environmentally-conscious consumers demand a shift from gas-powered engines to electric, and auto manufacturers race to meet those demands.
Honda plans to go fully electric by 2040
Honda recently joined the ranks of manufacturers that have made commitments to renewable energy. Honda announced that they intend to produce only emission-free vehicles by 2040, which includes both fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
They have developed and used the hydrogen fuel cell technology in their electric sedan, the Clarity, and partnered with General Motors (GM) to introduce two new electric SUVs. According to
, Honda will introduce the fully electric Prologue SUV for the 2024 model year. It will release both a Honda SUV and a model under its luxury Acura brand.
For Honda's first attempt to sell EVs in high quantities, they’re partnering with an auto manufacturer that has been making strides in the EV market. GM has already successfully introduced their electric Chevrolet Bolt, and Honda will use GM’s battery system for the Prologue.
Honda hasn't released any pricing details or specifications about the 2024 Prologue, but it’s expected to perform as well as Honda's most popular SUVs: the Pilot and the Passport. The electric luxury SUV for the Acura lineup will also be based on the GM battery platform and debut in 2024.
Honda's first EV model was discontinued
Honda has sold EVs in the U.S., specifically its Clarity sedan, but discontinued it because of slow sales, according to
. The Clarity was originally produced as a hydrogen car, and not meant to sell in high volumes.
Many factors contributed to the low demand for the Clarity. Consumers were concerned about the lack of infrastructure for refueling the hydrogen cell. It was only produced in one factory in Japan and offered as a lease-only car, which limited the sales of the vehicle.
Honda is now focused on switching completely to zero-emission vehicles in North America by 2040. EVs are becoming more widespread, and Honda’s plans align with the overall shift in the industry to electric. In the future, Honda plans to use their own battery platform to build EVs.
You might plan on switching to the new Prologue as soon as it comes out or keeping your car until another EV comes along. Either way,