The launch of the all-new 2024 Honda CR-V marked the return of an electrified model in the carmaker’s Philippine lineup following the phaseout of the Legend luxury sedan some years ago.

The CR-V RS e:HEV packs a 2.0-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine mated to an electric motor. The combined output is 184 PS and 355 Nm of torque, coursed through a continuously variable transmission.

The e:HEV full-hybrid system also has an EV Drive Mode that lets the vehicle run solely on battery power. 

But even though Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) will bring more hybrid models to the Philippines, it is also looking further ahead with the introduction of battery-electric vehicles (EV).

“We cannot give a timeline today, but we are expanding the e:HEV technology to other models and also looking into EVs,” said HCPI president Rie Miyake during the press conference following the launch of the all-new CR-V.

HCPI aims to offer only electrified vehicles by 2040, which includes hybrids and EVs. This is also the same year that the Philippine government is targeting to mandate carmakers to sell exclusively brand-new EVs locally.

What’s available now?

The most likely candidate is the Honda e:NS1 EV crossover, which was spotted at an EV charging station in Thailand on February 2023.

It was unveiled on November 2021 and began sales in China on April 2022. It is the first of 10 new Honda e:N EVs that will be launched in China, where the Japanese carmaker plans to sell a fully electric lineup by 2030.

Although it shares the Honda HR-V’s styling, the e:NS1 uses Honda’s e:N F Architecture platform. There are two variants:

• Base – 182 PS and 310 Nm of torque, 53.6-kWh battery pack, maximum claimed range of 420 km

• Premium – 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque, 68.8-kWh battery pack, maximum claimed range of 510 km

The interior, as shown here in photos provided by our Chinese counterparts, is also similar to the HR-V, although the EV version gets a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster and a vertical, 15.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The e:NS1 also uses buttons instead of a gear selector.

Honda Cars is mulling over putting up an electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Thailand to reduce imports from Japan. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota are among the major manufacturers that are already producing xEV batteries for the Thai market.

The Japanese carmaker's Chinese operations, GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda, will each build a new dedicated EV production plant that is expected to be operational in 2024. 

Perks for electrified vehicles

There is a growing demand for EVs in the Philippines following the passage of two important measures.

The first is Republic Act 11697 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act,” which provides non-fiscal incentives for hybrid and EV owners like number-coding exemption and discounted registration fees at the Land Transportation Office.

The law also mandates the construction of dedicated EV parking slots and charging stations in all new public and private establishments. Buildings that will be renovated must also comply with EV parking requirements.

The second is Executive Order No. 12 that was promulgated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 2023. This cuts all duties on imported EVs and spare parts until 2028, leading to substantial price reductions for EVs sold in the Philippines.

Which Honda EVs would you like to see in showrooms soon?

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