Honda e:NP1 appears at PH BEV list; launch soon?

There’s a good chance that we could see a Honda EV crossover sometime soon.

Upon checking the recently updated list of recognized BEVs by the Department of Energy, the Honda e:NP1 has made the list and thus could be sold in the Philippine market.

For the unfamiliar, the Honda e:NP1 is the brand’s HR-V-based EV crossover that’s being made by the GAC Honda joint venture for the Chinese market. It has a single electric motor that puts out 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque, and its 68.8 kWh battery gives up to 510 km of range based on China’s CLTC cycle.

At first, this came as a surprise for us. Based on our recent trip to Japan, Honda executives said they were intent on offering hybrids first to the ASEAN market before launching electric vehicles. But after further checking from our sources, it seems like Honda is keeping true to their words.

The Honda e:NP1 will apparently come from a gray market importer. This means, the product will not be sold officially by Honda Cars Philippines. And if the time comes for HCPI to offer EVs in the country, the HR-V-based EV is likely to be known by its ASEAN nameplate, the e:N1.

But still, the fact that a gray market dealer is bringing what’s basically the same product, it will be interesting to see if this will affect HCPI’s electrification plans in the country.