Honda plans to launch an electric version of its N-Box, Japan's best-selling vehicle, around fiscal year 2027. This move could accelerate the slow adoption of electric vehicles in the country.
The N-Box debuted in 2011. In 2024, over 200,000 units were sold, surpassing the Toyota Corolla and maintaining its position as Japan's top-selling model for three consecutive years. Its spacious interior and affordable price, starting from about 1.7 million yen (11,000 USD), contributed to cumulative sales of approximately 3 million units.
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Japan's best-selling kei-car, the Honda N-Box. Photo: Honda |
Currently, the model is available only with a 658cc three-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 58 horsepower in its naturally aspirated form or 63 horsepower with a turbocharger.
The electric version's operating range and price are still being finalized. Honda expects to continue selling the gasoline-powered N-Box alongside the electric model in the future.
Kei-cars are a unique and distinctive Japanese standard, with dimensions limited to a maximum of 1.48 m in width, 3.4 m in length, and 2 m in height.
In addition to purchase subsidies, electric kei-cars also receive tax incentives similar to gasoline-powered kei-cars, which have significantly lower tax rates than larger vehicles.
Although electric vehicles account for only about 2% of new car sales in Japan, the lowest among developed economies, electric kei-cars are gradually gaining market share.
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The BYD Racco debuted at the Tokyo auto show 2025 last October. Photo: BYD |
Two models, the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X, accounted for over 40% of electric vehicle sales in Japan in 2024. The limited operating range of electric vehicles is well-suited for kei-cars, which are primarily used for city driving.
According to Nikkei, competition in the electric kei-car market is intensifying. Leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD recently launched the Racco, a model designed to compete with the N-Box, at the Tokyo auto show in October. Suzuki also plans to introduce an electric kei-car in fiscal year 2026 or later.
My Anh
