Honda has announced that its first electric vehicle (EV) will be named the Honda e as it revealed that the next-generation Jazz hatchback will feature a new hybrid drivetrain.

The Japanese revealed the name of the compact EV city car which was seen in near-production guise at March’s Geneva Motor Show as it prepared to take the first steps to fulfilling its pledge that every car its sells in Europe will be in some way electrified by 2025.

The Honda e is a rear-wheel-drive five-door hatchback, which Honda expects to go on sale in Q1, 2020.

It will deliver “a competitive range of over 200km and a ‘fast charge’ functionality providing 80% range in just 30 minutes”, the brand has said.

Almost 6,500 expressions of interest have been made by customers in the UK in relation to the Honda e, it added.

Further evidence of the brand’s push into electrification came as it announced the return of a Jazz hybrid today (May 8).

Its next-generation Jazz will be available with a hybrid powertrain featuring the brand's Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD) technology.

Honda said in a statement: “The i-MMD hybrid system that will be available with the next generation of the popular Jazz hatchback has already won widespread acclaim across Europe for delivering high-levels of real-world efficiency and refinement in the new CR-V Hybrid.

“Ahead of its 2025 electrification goal, Honda will expand the application of its i-MMD dual-motor hybrid system, with the introduction into smaller segment cars an important first step.

“The next-generation Jazz will make its international premiere at the Tokyo Motor Show later this year.”