Is the new electric Honda e:Ny1 already behind the times?

Honda presented three new SUVs at a press event in Germany. One of them, the e:Ny1, will join Honda’s electric fleet. Well, fleet? The brand currently only has the Honda E. But that will change in the coming years.

Let’s take a closer look at the Honda e:Ny1. Yes, with those anything but catchy In particular, the EV is already 1-0 behind. Let’s see if the electric B-Segmenter can make up for that with its specs. Honda is trying to achieve this by launching the e:Ny1 on an entirely new platform designed for electric cars. Still, the EV is surprisingly similar to the HR-V.

Specifications of the Honda e:Ny1

This platform features a front-mounted electric motor. This delivers just over 200 hp and 310 Nm of torque to the front wheels. So far there is nothing to complain about. You can also come home with the 68.8 kWh battery (62 kWh net). Literally, assuming you are within 250 miles of your home. That range isn’t exactly fantastic, for example the WLTP range of the Honda e:Ny1 is almost 80 kilometers less than that of another B-segment electric SUV: the new Hyundai Kona.

The new Honda e:Ny1’s battery is literally hanging under the car, which limits ground clearance. The reason for this is not entirely clear. The platform may not be as new as Honda is making it out to be. The brand itself states that the low-hanging battery has a positive effect on driving behavior. While a low center of gravity is indeed an advantage when driving, it severely reduces the ground clearance of this electric SUV.

Disappointing loading speed

Then the load specifications. The new Honda e:Ny1 (I bet you didn’t say that name again in your head) can charge the new Honda e:Ny1 with a maximum of 11 kW via an AC pole. Fast charging via a DC fast charger is possible up to 78 kW and that’s not particularly great. The Kona just mentioned charges much faster with 100 kW.

To compare with another electric vehicle, Autovisie recently tested the relatively inexpensive MG4, which was able to charge at a whopping 140 kW on the DC charger. Practice will show if the Honda e:Ny1 can hit back with a good charge curve that can hold that 78kW for a longer period of time. For now, however, it seems a bit disappointing charging speed on the DC pole.