7 Honda e

Honda dealers are now able to accept orders for the brand’s first electric vehicle (EV) after the pricing of its Honda e hatchback was announced at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Prices start at £26,160 for the entry-level model, which has a 136PS electric motor.

The Honda e Advance has 154PS and costs £28,660.

The car uses a 35.5kWh battery delivering a range of up to 136 miles.

A fast-charging capability also allows recharge to 80% capacity in 30 minutes.

Honda says the car is the next step towards its commitment to making 100% of its European automobile sales electrified by 2025.

The e was developed with a focus on simplicity in design and usability, as well as featuring a number of connected technologies.

Among the developments the manufacturer says are first in class are a side camera mirror system that replaces conventional side view mirrors with compact cameras, providing live images to two six-inch screens inside the cabin.

The car also features pop-out door handles, while inside a five-screen, full width digital dashboard and connected infotainment system.

The largest area of the digital dashboard is occupied by dual 12.3-inch LCD touchscreens which act as the primary infotainment displays.

Connected services and applications accessed through the touchscreen interface can use be activated using voice commands to engage with the Honda Personal Assistant service.

This is an artificial intelligence (AI) facility that uses contextual understanding to create natural conversations and provide access to a range of online services. It is activated by saying ‘OK Honda’.

Owners will be able to connect remotely to the car through a My Honda+ smartphone app.

The mobile service, originally launched in 2017, has been updated to deliver a wider range of functionality, including navigation to vehicle condition report, remote climate control and security monitoring.

EV-specific functions include battery charge control and range monitor.

The Honda e is also accessible using a digital key, allowing the car to be locked and unlocked using a smartphone application.

Honda dealers can accept orders for the Advance model from today, with the entry-level available to order from early next year. Deliveries will commence in Summer 2020.