Honda launches the N-ONE e: An $18,000 small EV that delivers big where it counts

It may be small, but Honda’s new EV offers “class-leading” range and more interior space than you’d expect. Honda introduced the N-ONE e on Thursday, its first electric kei car, with prices starting at just over $18,000.

Honda launches the N-ONE e, an $18,000 mini EV

It’s pretty rare to find any vehicle, let alone an all-electric one, for under $20,000 these days. In the US, the average asking price for a new car was nearly $52,000 last month.

While some of the biggest names in the auto industry, including Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and GM, to name a few, are gearing up to launch more affordable EVs, Honda just got a head of the game.

Honda introduced the N-ONE e on Thursday, its first electric kei car. The N-ONE e is Honda’s second mini-EV, following the N-VAN e, launched last year. However, unlike the van, Honda’s new model is designed for passenger use rather than commercial.

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The new EV will go on sale in Japan on September 12, priced from just ¥2.7 million ($18,300). It’s based on the current gas-powered N-ONE, Honda’s retro-looking kei car sold in Japan.

Powered by the same 29.6 kWh battery as its electric van, Honda said the N-ONE e delivers “class-leading range” of up to 295 km (183 miles). That’s even more than the Nissan Sakura, Japan’s best-selling electric car with a WLTP range of up to 180 km (112 miles).

Although it may not seem like much with most EVs offering over 300 miles of range nowadays, it’s perfect for daily commutes in Japan.

Honda said the biggest challenge was ensuring it had enough space to make it fit for everyday use. To open up the interior, the company developed a thinner battery pack that lies flat beneath the floor.

It already has the most popular kei car and best-selling vehicle in Japan, the N-Box, but Honda believes its new EV could be an even bigger hit.

Mini EVs account for about 40% of new car sales in Japan. With more range, interior space, and more, Honda is betting on its small new EV to stay ahead of the competition. Honda expects the market to heat up with rival brands, including global EV leader BYD, Toyota and others, preparing to launch mini-EVs soon.