Honda Affirms Vehicle Buyers Can't Be Forced To Switch To EV Completely, Here's The Reason

Honda Prologue. (Doc. Honda Global)

JAKARTA - Japanese automotive manufacturers such as Honda are trying to catch up in presenting the electrification line with plans to launch seven electric vehicles (EVs) which will be launched in 2030.

Despite selling a number of model lines such as Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX in the United States, manufacturer officials are still not sure that this is the right way to switch to environmentally friendly mobility.

CEO of American Honda Motor Co Kazuhiro Takizawa, said that factors such as the lack of electricity charging infrastructure are one of the things that discourage buyers from turning to electric vehicles completely.

"Actually, you can't force customers to change their minds," Takizawa was quoted as saying by InsideEVs, Wednesday, August 28.

He also noted that even with the presence of incentives, the public was still reluctant to move from combustion engine vehicles to Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

"We need to prepare the ecosystem gradually and let them migrate little by little," added Takizawa.

The Japanese man added that his party is also closely monitoring the number of new charging stations online and continues to show gradual growth, signaling that the launch of charging stations for EVs can be accelerated.

In line with Takizawa's statement, Honda Shinji Aoyama's Global Executive Vice President, said that manufacturers will not focus too much on electric vehicles in the short term and hope that the ecosystem will increase.

"The battery EV is the most effective at achieving carbon neutrality, so we will maintain our long-term view, and we hope this ecosystem will change step by step," Aoyama said.

Previously, Honda had launched the e model as its first mass-sold electric vehicle. However, the journey was not brilliant and short, which made production stopped earlier this year.

In a three-year period, Honda e failed to attract the attention of buyers with only 12,500 units sold globally.

Until the end of this decade, the manufacturer with the 'H' logo will introduce the seven newest EVs in terms of crossovers and SUVs that buyers have the potential to like.

This is evident in the Prologue model sold in the US and sold nearly 5,000 units since March when the EV was launched.