The Zamboni-like rear of Honda's 0 Series SUV is certainly a polarizing design.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The SUV concept will be available with up to 480 kilometres of range.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Despite potential tariffs and a slowdown in interest for electric vehicles, Honda is pushing forward with its ambitious electrification plans. The Japanese automaker aims to bring two million EVs to the market by 2030 en route to 100-per-cent global EV sales by 2040. Honda’s first EV that’s developed, designed and engineered entirely in-house and built in the United States is the 0 Series SUV. Honda recently showed off its first EV under its 0 Series umbrella in Vaughan, Ont., about 45 minutes north of Toronto.
“Tariffs and regulations are always a challenge for this industry,” said Hayato Mori, assistant vice-president of business development and customer engagement at Honda Canada Inc. “The industry is very dynamic and we will deal with it. Right now, we’re focused on getting this vehicle in the market.”
But why is Honda coming out with EVs now when interest is waning? “Let’s face it, the market isn’t hot with EVs and government mandates are still to be determined. We are pursuing electrification because at the end of the day, this is the future. EVs are coming – maybe not in large amounts. But EVs are the most practical way forward for emission reductions in the future. They’re here to stay and it’s going to be the future,” said Mori.
Even though the 0 Series SUV is a prototype, it looks almost production ready. The compact crossover SUV seats five people and is similar in size to a CR-V, but slightly longer and definitely more distinct.
It resembles nothing else on the road; it’s futuristic, sleek and bold in design, especially with its massive Zamboni-like rear. Sure, it may be a polarizing design, but at least the hatchback shape translates into excellent rear headroom and cargo space. The EV is unusually low to the ground – so low you can touch the top of the roof easily. Glass is everywhere, extending from the large raked windshield, spanning across the entire roof, and peeking out from rear-quarter windows so all-around visibility is excellent. New LED lighting sequences at the front and rear highlight its electric DNA. A small “h” emblem appears on the front “grille” area to designate it’s an EV; while Honda’s name is spelled out at the back.
Glass extends from the large raked windshield and spans across the entire roof.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
The odd shape means lots of space in the trunk.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
For now, this SUV doesn’t have a front trunk, but that may change in the future. Other features including the exterior side-view camera mirrors and the yoke-style steering wheel look cool, but don’t expect to find them in the production vehicles in Canada because government regulations require physical mirrors on the outside of the vehicle.
The cabin is pleasing to the eyes with high-tech features including a digital UX from Honda’s in-house vehicle operating system, which is called Asimo OS; it pays tribute to the Honda Asimo robot revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in 2000. Honda has also partnered with helm.ai, which develops AI software for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving technology features.
The charging port is located on the driver’s side. The vehicle will be equipped with the North American Charging standard, or NACS, Tesla’s DC fast-charging connector so drivers can access Tesla’s superchargers on the road to charge quickly and easily. While many details such as the battery type and size haven’t been revealed yet, it will be available in two- and all-wheel-drive configurations and have up to 480 kilometres of range.
The concept also features a yoke-style steering wheel.Petrina Gentile/The Globe and Mail
Honda has invested heavily into solid-state batteries, the next big step in battery technology in terms of longer range, safer, faster charging and higher power density. By 2030, the Japanese car company aims to reduce the cost of the battery by more than 20 per cent compared to current battery costs. It’s now running a demonstration production line for solid-state batteries at its research and development centre in Tochigi, Japan and at Honda’s new EV hub in Ohio. In Canada, Honda is still on track to build a comprehensive EV production chain, part of a massive $15-billion investment in its North American EV manufacturing footprint which includes an EV assembly plant and battery plant in Alliston, Ont. Production is expected to begin in 2028.
The Honda 0 Series SUV will go on sale in Canada in mid-2026 and the 0 Series Saloon, or sedan, will follow in late 2026. Both vehicles will be made in Ohio. No word, yet, on pricing.
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