Japanese brand's answer to the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Leapmotor B10: Honda e:Ny1 electric car confirmed for New Zealand but is Australia next?

Honda is gearing up to add the first mainstream electric car into the New Zealand market. 

The awkwardly-named e:Ny1 was the brand’s second electric car following the prototype-like 'e' city car that was not officially sold new in Australia (though there are grey import examples running around). 

Pricing and positioning is yet to be confirmed for New Zealand, however it is confirmed to land this year following its 2023 UK launch. Australian plans for the e:Ny1 remain unconfirmed, with Honda’s local arm staying quiet on the new model. 

“Whilst we are excited to see the global developments across Honda in the EV space, we are unable to share any further details of the e:Ny1 being introduced into the Australian market at this time,” a Honda Australian spokesperson said. 

Although the e:Ny1 looks an awful lot like the HR-V (and shares a few body panels), underneath it rides on Honda’s e:N architecture designed to underpin a suite of smaller electric cars from Honda. 

Examples sold in the UK have a 150kW/310Nm front-mounted electric motor drawing current from a fairly large 68.8kWh battery pack. Range is quoted at 412km (WLTP) and charging from 10-80 per cent takes 45 minutes, says Honda. 

With stats like that, the Honda e:Ny1 would rival the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Renault Megane E-Tech and upcoming Leapmotor B10. 

More than just a new segment, the e:Ny1 is important to Honda Australia under the latest New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) which mandate how much carbon dioxide a car can emit per kilometre, and charge a $100 fine for each gram over the limit. 

Honda currently sells petrol and hybrid versions of its HR-V, ZR-V, CR-V, Accord and Civic. The lowest emitting car in its range is the HR-V hybrid at 98g CO2/km, keeping it safe until 2027.

Pricing and feature for the e:Ny1’s launch in New Zealand have not been confirmed but in the UK, it isn’t cheap, currently starting at £40,645, equivalent to A$80,800. 

It’s also not clear where NZ will source production, with Honda opening a construction line for the e:Ny1 in Thailand, where the 10th-gen Civic was built for Australia. This could improve price competitiveness in Australia and New Zealand.

Honda Australia has yet to make any solid move to offer the e:Ny1 electric car in our market, but given it's heading to New Zealand, it bodes well for future availability. 

The Japanese brand was first to market with a hybrid in 2001 in the quirky Insight, but has since lagged on electric cars. New models, previewed by out-there 0 concepts, are expected to challenge Tesla's incumbent Model Y and 3 on launch in 2026.