When Honda first revealed the Honda:e hatchback, we thought they missed the mark. They should have called it the e:Honda.

We jest, of course. Honda is slowly but surely ramping up their effort in the EV segment despite being one of the pioneers with the Clarity. Their first new generation EV was the Honda:e, and now they’re following it up with something called the e:Ny1.

Yes, we’re a bit confused with the name too because it looks like part of a computer-generated password you get when you forget yours. Maybe even someone momentarily fell asleep on the keyboard. Whatever the case, they are serious about it when they revealed the car at an event in Germany.

Honda is calling the e:Ny1 as a B-segment crossover, but we don’t have to look far to realize that it’s practically a Honda HR-V like the one we have in the Philippine market.  The vehicle itself shares a lot of similarities with two Honda HR-V models made electric over in China: they have the e:NS1 which is made by Dongfeng Honda as well as the e:NP1 which is made by GAC Honda. The e:Ny1 is the European version.

Honda isn’t mentioning the HR-V badge in the press information, but the look of the vehicle is definitely HR-V with design tweaks that are EV specific like a reduction in front intakes, a different front bumper, wheels, and more. The interior of the vehicle is also shared with the HR-V that we know, albeit with a huge 15.1” portrait-style touchscreen in the middle (akin to a Tesla), a set of buttons where the gearstick would normally be (like the current CR-V) to control the drive, and a full digital screen instead of a standard instrument cluster.

The e:Ny1 is built on Honda’s new e:N Architecture F which is a front-wheel drive EV platform with a three-in-one integrated powertrain (power drive, motor, gearbox). The powerpack produces 204 PS and 310 Nm of torque. Honda didn’t mention what the actual battery capacity is but they did say it can do up to 412 kilometers based on WLTP cycle standards. Charging from 10% to 80% takes just 45 minutes using a DC fast charger.

In the Philippine setting, Honda has yet to launch an electric model. Actually, there are no definite indicators yet that the normally conservative Honda brand will launch an EV here soon, so it’s unlikely that we’ll see the Honda:e or e:Ny1 within a year or maybe even two. What will most likely happen is Honda restarts their hybrid offerings here (they were one of the first) with the CR-V once they launch it.