Honda has outlined its future plans at the Honda Global CEO Inaugural Press Conference held on 23 April 2021. At the conference Toshihiro Mibe, the President and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co LTD revealed that the brand plans to become a 100% electric brand by 2040.
Honda aims for carbon neutrality in all products and corporate activities by 2050. The Zero Environmental Impact initiative will not only include the life cycle of Honda vehicles but also corporate activities. Under the initiative, the brand will focus on Carbon neutrality, Clean energy and Resource circulation. The brand will not only electrify its Car and Motorcycle range but also expand the range of Honda Mobile Power Pack swappable battery system. Honda will also bring in smart power operations and energy sources with carbon-neutral fuels in fields such as aeroplanes.
The brand is also working on effective ways to reuse and recycle batteries, material recycling. The brand is also developing products made from sustainable materials. Under the eMaaS concept, Honda will be developing expanded use of renewable energy. This also includes the application and implementation of fuel cell systems.
Honda has set some challenging targets for its carbon-free goal in the automobile sector, this includes increasing the ratios of electric vehicle and fuel cell vehicles in major markets. The brand has announced that it aims to make 40% by 2030, to 80% by 2035, and then to 100% globally by 2040. Honda will leverage its partnership with General Motors for the Ultium batteries. This will help achieve its goal in the North American market. Similarly, Honda will introduce 10 Honda-brand EV models within five years in the Chinese market to achieve its timeline. In the Japanese market, the brand plans to use local production and local procurement to achieve its goals.
The electrification products will not be limited to automobiles but Honda will also introduce electrified motorcycles as well. The brand also plans to improve the efficiency of ICE powertrains and also include the utilization of biofuels in the motorcycle segment. Honda also plans to establish a consortium to develop technology standards for swappable batteries.
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