Honda 0 Series EVs: Honda's Bold $10 Billion Bet on the Electric Future
Honda reveals production-ready 0 Series Saloon and SUV EV prototypes, marking the automaker's most serious commitment yet to battery-electric vehicles for global markets.
Honda has spent much of the past decade watching the EV revolution unfold from a cautious distance, offering a handful of compliance cars and the promising but limited Clarity Electric. That half-measure approach ends now. At a significant global reveal event in Los Angeles, Honda debuted production-ready prototypes of its 0 Series, a dedicated line of battery-electric vehicles representing a $10 billion investment through 2030.
The 0 Series comprises two initial models: the Saloon, a low-slung sedan that Honda describes as “the sports car of the future,” and the SUV, a three-row family hauler positioned to compete with the Tesla Model X and Kia EV9. Both vehicles are built on a new dedicated EV platform with 800V architecture, enabling charging speeds of up to 350 kW DC.
The Saloon
The Honda 0 Series Saloon, expected to launch in North America in late 2026 as a 2027 model, makes a striking visual statement. The production prototype retained much of the 2024 CES concept’s clean fastback profile, with a distinctive low front fascia, narrow LED headlights, and a roofline that flows seamlessly into the rear deck. Honda designers were careful to avoid the aerodynamic blob aesthetic that afflicts many EVs; the Saloon has genuine visual character.
The interior is equally distinctive. Honda has moved away from the screen-maximalism trend, opting instead for a driver-focused cockpit with a slim 10.2-inch instrument display, a 12.8-inch center touchscreen, and—refreshingly—a dedicated volume knob for the audio system. Physical controls for climate functions remain, a decision Honda says was informed by extensive customer research.
The Saloon will launch with a single dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing approximately 380 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 91 kWh battery pack is rated at 370 miles of EPA-estimated range. The AWD system includes a dedicated snow mode and Honda’s proprietary torque vectoring, which can independently modulate power to each rear wheel for improved handling dynamics.
The SUV
The 0 Series SUV, which will arrive in 2027 before the Saloon, targets families who need three rows and genuine off-road capability. The production prototype featured a boxy, functional design with generous approach and departure angles, 21-inch all-terrain tires, and a roof rack system with integrated lighting.
The SUV will offer both seven-seat and six-seat configurations—the latter with second-row captain’s chairs. Interior space is a highlight; Honda’s packaging efficiency with the skateboard platform yields more passenger volume than its current Pilot, despite a smaller exterior footprint.
The SUV will offer two battery options: a 91 kWh Standard Range and a 122 kWh Long Range variant, the latter rated at an EPA-estimated 430 miles of range—the longest of any Honda vehicle ever produced.
The Software Story
Both 0 Series vehicles debut Honda’s new ASIMO operating system, named after the automaker’s famous humanoid robot. ASIMO integrates a large language model-powered voice assistant, over-the-air update capability, and Honda’s next-generation sensing suite, which includes a forward-facing imaging radar, 12 cameras, and ultrasonic sensors. Honda is targeting Level 2+ driver assistance at launch, with a pathway to Level 3 autonomous driving through future software updates.
Honda has also confirmed that the 0 Series vehicles will use the NACS charging port, giving owners access to Tesla’s Supercharger network as well as the growing CCS/NACS public charging infrastructure across North America.
The Bigger Picture
Honda’s 0 Series launch is the automaker’s most ambitious product initiative since the original Accord launched in 1976. The company has committed to achieving 100% EV sales in North America by 2040, with an interim target of 40% EV sales by 2030. The 0 Series will be joined by a compact hatchback and a sporty crossover—both planned for 2028—as Honda builds out its dedicated EV portfolio.
Tohru Sato, Honda’s global EV lead, acknowledged that Honda entered the EV race later than some competitors, but argued that the 0 Series benefits from learning from others’ missteps. “We watched what worked and what didn’t,” Sato said. “Our vehicles will charge faster, drive further, and offer a ownership experience that matches what Honda customers expect.”
Pricing has not been announced, but Honda has indicated the Saloon will start under $50,000 and the SUV will begin under $55,000, positioning both vehicles competitively against established EV competitors.
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