Two years after announcing it would switch to electric and hydrogen power by 2040, Honda’s CEO has indicated petrol power could live on beyond that date.
The boss of Honda believes traditional petrol and diesel engines will continue to 2040 and beyond.
Honda had previously said it would switch to electric and hydrogen power across its range by 2040, but in an interview with news outlet Reuters, CEO Toshihiro Mibe suggested that timeframe could be extended.
Mr Mibe said Honda was conducting feasibility studies to determine the future of petrol and diesel engines – also referred to as internal-combustion engines – as well as into the increasing dominance of battery technology.
“I’ve been in the engine development business for more than 30 years, so personally [the transition to electric is] a little threatening,” he told Reuters.
“But I have to separate my own feelings from what is best for the business.”
MORE: Honda teases two electric sports cars, possible electric ute as part of broad EV plans
While many car companies have outlined a move to electric vehicles by 2030 or 2035, Honda is one of the few to express a more conservative viewpoint, suggesting there will still be a place for typical engines by 2040.
Some industry experts are worried developing nations may not have the electrical infrastructure in place to switch away from petrol and diesel, particularly in rural areas.
Despite having a longer time horizon for a complete switch to electric cars than its competitors, in April 2022 Honda revealed plans to launch 30 new battery-powered vehicles by 2030 – including two sports cars and what is believed to be an electric ute.
Honda expects hybrid and electric vehicles will account for 40 per cent of its sales by the end of this decade.
MORE: Final Honda NSX rolls off US production line, electric successor reportedly planned
Multiple reports in the second half of 2022 all but confirmed one of those sports cars would be a successor to the NSX.
As part of its transition to electric vehicles, Honda announced it is partnering with General Motors to use its Ultium electric-car battery architecture for future models – as well as announcing a separate partnership with technology company Sony to launch a new electric-car brand called Afeela.
Mr Mibe reiterated that Honda is also working on its own electric-car architecture, though there’s currently no word on when the company will introduce its first battery-powered car to the Australian market.
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