Why did Honda stop making hybrids?
Honda has not stopped making hybrids globally, but it is trimming back certain models and markets as it pivots toward battery-electric vehicles and a broader electrified lineup. The move reflects regulatory pressure, cost considerations, and a strategic push to electrify more quickly; by 2025 Honda is expanding BEVs and expects hybrids to play a reduced role in many regions.
What is happening and why
Honda has signaled a shift from relying on traditional hybrids to a more EV-centered strategy. The company aims to electrify a larger share of its global sales and to introduce more BEVs in coming years, while continuing to offer e:HEV hybrids in markets where demand and infrastructure support them. The pivot is part of Honda's broader goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and to compete in a rapidly electrifying market.
Why this shift is happening
The decision to recalibrate the hybrid lineup is driven by several forces that are reshaping the auto industry today. Below are the main factors that analysts and Honda executives point to.
- Regulatory pressure and stricter emissions targets in major markets push automakers toward BEVs and simplified powertrain portfolios.
- Battery costs and supply chain dynamics encourage standardizing on EV platforms to achieve scale and reduce complexity.
- Technology maturation in BEVs—longer range, better charging infrastructure, and expanding model choices—reduces the relative appeal of mild or conventional hybrids for some buyers.
- Cost and profitability considerations—integrating gasoline, hybrid, and electric systems adds engineering and manufacturing complexity; consolidating around BEVs can improve margins in the long term.
- Strategic partnerships and product cadence—Honda's ongoing BEV programs and collaborations aim to accelerate an electric-first lineup across key markets.
Taken together, these factors explain why Honda is rebalancing its offerings toward BEVs while maintaining some hybrid options where market and infrastructure conditions support them.
Regional differences in the hybrid strategy
North America
In the United States and Canada, Honda has maintained a portfolio that includes hybrid variants in popular models, while expanding BEV options through upcoming or announced vehicles. The company has signaled a gradual increase in electrified offerings, with a longer-term emphasis on BEVs for many core models.
- Hybrid versions remain part of the lineup in some models, but the pace of new hybrid introductions has slowed compared with earlier years.
- Upcoming BEV models are positioned to diversify the electrified portfolio beyond traditional hybrids.
In North America, buyers should expect a transitional phase where both hybrids and BEVs coexist, with BEVs taking a larger share of future introductions.
Europe and Asia-Pacific
European and Asia-Pacific markets have seen varied reception to hybrids due to infrastructure, incentives, and consumer preferences. Honda continues to offer hybrids where they fit regional demand, while prioritizing BEV options where policy and market conditions favor full electrification.
- Europe has targeted electrification, often favoring BEVs and PHEVs with robust charging networks and incentives.
- In some Asia-Pacific markets, hybrids remain common as a bridge technology, but BEV initiatives are expanding rapidly.
Regional strategies reflect a balance between existing hybrid technologies and the growing BEV lineup, with Honda aligning its products to local conditions.
What this means for buyers
For consumers, the shift means more options in BEVs in the coming years, with hybrids continuing to serve as intermediate electrified solutions in markets where they remain viable. Buyers should check regional availability, as model availability and powertrain choices vary by country and by model year.
Summary
Honda is not abolishing hybrids globally, but it is rethinking the role of hybrids in its lineup as it accelerates its electrification strategy. The company aims to reduce complexity, meet regulatory targets, and compete in a market transitioning to battery-electric propulsion. The outcome is a more EV-focused future with hybrids playing a transitional role in selected markets, depending on policy, infrastructure, and consumer demand.
Will there be a 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid?
Both the 192-hp* turbo engine and available 204-hp. Hybrid powertrain standard on Sport Hybrid and above. From the moment you step on the pedal, you'll feel the smooth, direct rush of instant torque, courtesy of the 204-horsepower* hybrid's powerful electric motor.
What is the disadvantage of a Honda hybrid?
Disadvantages of a Honda hybrid include higher upfront costs, potentially higher maintenance costs for specific components like the hybrid battery, and sometimes lower fuel economy on the highway compared to competitors. Some owners also report specific model disadvantages, such as a lack of a spare tire, which can impact cargo space.
Cost and maintenance
- Higher initial cost: Hybrid models can be more expensive to purchase than their gasoline-only counterparts.
- Potential for high battery replacement costs: While hybrid batteries can last for many years and often come with a warranty, replacement is expensive and can cost $2,000 or more.
- Specialized maintenance: The complex hybrid system can require specialized maintenance, although Honda's network of trained technicians is growing.
Performance and fuel economy
- Lower highway MPG: Some models may get lower overall fuel economy than anticipated, especially at high speeds, potentially performing worse than some competitors.
- Less towing capacity: The hybrid versions of some models, like the CR-V, have a lower towing capacity than the gas-only versions.
Space and features
- No spare tire: In some models, the hybrid battery is placed under the cargo area, which means there is no space for a spare tire.
- Lack of certain features: Some competitors may offer more features that Honda hybrids lack, such as a head-up display, cooled front seats, or a panoramic roof.
Are hybrid cars going to be phased out?
New petrol and diesel car ban confirmed for 2030 - but rules relaxed and hybrids allowed until 2035. The UK government has confirmed the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars has been brought forward to 2030 – but hybrid cars can be sold until 2035, and small-scale carmakers avoid the restrictions altogether.
Will Honda make more hybrids?
Honda is developing a new hybrid V-6 that should power next-generation mid-size models like the Pilot, Odyssey, and Ridgeline starting in 2027. The future powertrain aims to improve fuel economy by over 30 percent versus the current gas-only models.
