Honda confirms first electric car for Australia

Honda has finally confirmed its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) is headed for Australian roads – with the long-overdue arrival set for late 2026. While the Japanese carmaker hasn’t named which model will head up its electrification strategy just yet, all signs point towards the e:Ny1, a small electric SUV already on sale in the UK and built for right-hand-drive markets like ours. 

Honda Australia laid out its broader mobility strategy on Monday. Alongside the confirmation that its “first-ever BEV” will land in Australia in the second half of next year, it also announced several upcoming models, including a refreshed CR-V, ZR-V, and the return of the Prelude coupe .  

e:Ny1 the likely candidate for Honda’s first Australian BEV 

Although Honda Australia hasn’t officially stated which BEV will debut locally, the most likely candidate is the awkwardly named e:Ny1 (pronounced “e-en-why-one”). Already in production and on sale in the UK and Europe, the e:Ny1 is a B-segment electric SUV based on Honda’s dedicated e:N Architecture F platform. 

First unveiled in the UK in 2023, the UK version is priced from £39,995 ($A81,994 converted at today’s rates) on-the-road (down from £44,995 at launch), and includes generous equipment even in the entry-level Elegance trim. In the UK, the e:Ny1 pairs a 68.8kWh (gross) battery with a front-mounted electric motor delivering 150kW and 310Nm – good for a WLTP range of up to 412km. It supports DC fast charging up to 78kW, enabling a 10–80% top-up in around 45 minutes. 

UK features include a 15.1-inch vertical touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, while tech such as Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, heated seats, a wireless phone charger, and dual-zone climate control come standard. The higher-spec Advance trim adds a panoramic sunroof, premium audio system, and Honda’s Parking Pilot automated parking tech. 

Safety is covered by Honda’s full SENSING suite, with features like adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assist included as standard. 

If this is indeed the vehicle Honda brings to Australia, it’ll line up against rivals such as the Hyundai Kona Electric , MG ZS EV, and BYD Atto 3 – all established electric players in the segment. 

Prelude returns, 0 Series further down the road 

Honda’s push into electrification won’t stop at the e:Ny1. Also arriving in 2026 is the revived Honda Prelude, a hybrid-powered coupe that brings a touch of nostalgia with a modern twist. First shown in concept form at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, the new Prelude promises to be a style-led, driver-focused model that aims to bridge the gap between Honda’s petrol past and electric future. More details on this are available in our article here . 

Further down the track is Honda’s futuristic-sounding “0 Series” of electric vehicles, previewed by the radical Saloon and Space-Hub concepts shown earlier this year at CES2025. While these next-gen EVs are expected to debut in Japan and North America by 2026–27, there’s been no firm commitment yet from Honda Australia on local timing. For now, the e:Ny1 (or a similar BEV SUV) appears to be the stepping stone that will finally bring Honda’s global electrification strategy to Australian shores. 

Honda’s hybrid momentum builds 

In the lead-up to its BEV debut, Honda continues to focus on its e:HEV hybrid offerings. The brand reported that in June 2025, half of all its vehicle sales in Australia were hybrids – driven by models like the Civic e:HEV and hybrid variants of the CR-V and ZR-V. The hybrid range is set to expand further in 2026, with the addition of an all-wheel-drive hybrid powertrain and the rollout of connected car software under the guise of Google Built-In via Honda’s Connect Gen2 . 

While the shift may seem overdue, it reflects Honda’s traditionally cautious approach to market readiness. But with rising consumer demand and regulatory pressure – including Australia’s incoming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard – the decision to bring in a BEV marks a turning point. 

Is the e:Ny1 the jolt Honda needs? 

For a company that’s been building engines for everything from lawnmowers to F1 cars for more than 75 years, it’s taken Honda a while to plug into the EV era in Australia. But with the e:Ny1 likely leading the charge, and a broader strategy that includes hybrids, coupes, and next-gen EVs, the brand finally appears ready to catch up. 

That said, if the e:Ny1 is the chosen model, a possible price tag north of $80,000 AUD will be a lot to swallow for a small SUV that’s limited to just 78kW DC fast charging – well behind what many cheaper rivals now offer. But that’s based on direct UK-to-Australia price conversion, and Honda may take a sharper pencil to local pricing as other brands like BYD have done, bringing the figure closer to $45–50K if they aim for volume rather than premium positioning. 

Either way, Honda will need to lean on brand equity, solid ownership support and a compelling hybrid range to make its mark in an EV market that’s already racing ahead. 

Now all that remains is for Honda to confirm the model name, lock in pricing – and prove that it can win over Aussie EV buyers the same way it once did with the Civic and Accord.