Honda e:NS1 electric vehicle (EV) version of the 2023 HR-V has been spotted recharging in Thailand recently while being served as a test vehicle. As a result of this announcement, Honda has started speculating that it may introduce the e:NS1 soon to the ASEAN region.

In recent months, Honda has expanded its Prachinburi plant in order to start manufacturing electric vehicles. A part of the company’s strategy is to reduce its reliance on Japanese imports by manufacturing the batteries for its electric vehicles in the United States.

During the Thailand International Motor Expo late last year, Honda unveiled its new electric crossover SUV, called e:NP1, which is a rebranded electric version of the Honda HR-V.

As part of Honda’s new e:N brand, the company will serve the electric vehicle market exclusively. I like to believe the letter ‘e’ stands for energized (power) and electric (electricity), whereas the letter ‘N’ stands for New (brand new) and Next (evolution).

Chinese Market

China already has the Honda e:NP1 compact crossover SUV. It rivals Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID 4, Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Toyota bZ4X.

e:NP1 offers two engine choices. The standard powertrain generates 180 horsepower (hp), 310 Newton-meters (Nm), has a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of 53.6 kWh, and has a maximum range of 420 kilometers.

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The advanced powertrain produces 201 horsepower and comparable torque and is equipped with a 68.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 510-kilometer range.

Honda e: NP1 is one of the company’s most well-equipped passenger vehicles yet. The SUV has several modern features including:

• 10.25″ LCD instrument screen.
• 15.2″ central control screen.
• Dedicated e:N operating system.
• Honda CONNECT 3.0 intelligent guidance interconnection.
• Honda Sensing 360 advanced driving assistance system.
• Remote-operated doors, windows, and air conditioning control.
• DMC driver status perception system to recognize the driver’s state, detect changes in emotions, and actively send safety reminders to drivers.

Models with 420 km and 510 km ranges are priced at 175,000 RMB (Rs. 7.1 million) and 205,000 RMB (Rs. 8.3 million) respectively. Although that is huge money by Pakistan’s standards, e:NP1 is a great value in China.