How much is the first Honda electric car?
The first Honda electric car, the EV Plus, carried an approximate sticker price around $37,000 in the late 1990s and was largely offered through leases rather than outright sales. This article explains that historical price and contrasts it with how Honda’s electrics are priced today across key markets.
The question asks about the historical cost of Honda’s earliest all-electric model and how pricing has evolved with newer vehicles. Below, readers will find a concise look at the EV Plus’s price, followed by context on contemporary Honda electric models and their typical price ranges in major markets.
The first Honda electric car: EV Plus
The EV Plus marked Honda’s first major push into battery-powered passenger cars. Its production was limited, and it rolled out mainly through California’s ZEV mandate programs, with an emphasis on leases rather than broad consumer sales.
- Model: Honda EV Plus (production roughly 1997–1999)
- MSRP: About $37,000 in late-1990s dollars (before incentives)
- Battery/tech: Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack; limited-range, compact design
- Availability: Primarily California demonstrations and select fleet deployments
Taken together, the EV Plus represented a pioneering but limited foray into electric passenger cars, reflecting the era’s higher battery costs and constrained production.
Prices for Honda’s modern electric offerings
To place the historical price in perspective, this list summarizes the current and recent pricing landscape for Honda’s electrified lineup in major markets, noting market-specific differences and incentives that affect final prices.
- Honda e (city car): In Europe, prices typically range from roughly €28,000 to €35,000 before incentives, with government grants often reducing the on‑the‑road price in many markets.
- Honda Prologue (US): The brand’s all-electric SUV for the United States starts around $40,000 to $45,000 before options and destination charges, depending on trim and packages.
- Market notes: The Honda e is not sold in the US; the Prologue represents Honda’s first dedicated EV in that market, while Europe continues to see the more compact e as a mainstream option.
Conclusion: Today’s Honda electric prices vary by region and model, with European buyers typically seeing lower starting prices for the compact Honda e and U.S. buyers facing a higher entry point for larger electric SUVs like the Prologue, influenced by incentives and regional supply.
Summary
Honda’s inaugural electric car price was about $37,000 in the late 1990s, a figure tied to the era’s expensive batteries and limited production. Since then, Honda’s electrification has broadened, offering the Honda e in Europe at roughly €28,000–€35,000 before incentives and the Prologue in the United States starting around $40,000, with final prices shaped by market incentives, trim choices, and regional availability.
