If you’re among the 1.4 crore Indians waiting for Honda’s first electric car, brace yourself.
Honda VP Kunal Behl just confirmed what dealers have been whispering for months.
The Japanese giant’s first EV won’t arrive until late 2026 or early 2027.
⚡ Quick Facts:
• Affects: 1.4 crore potential buyers in India
• Delay Cost: ₹15,000 crore in lost sales opportunity
• Launch Timeline: October 2026 - March 2027
• Verified by: Honda Cars India VP Kunal Behl
• Updated: September 14, 2025, 11:30 AM IST
The Immediate Impact
Here’s the thing: While Honda takes its time, Hyundai already launched Creta EV at ₹18 lakh.
Maruti’s e-Vitara hits showrooms in March 2025.
Even Toyota beats Honda with Urban Cruiser EV coming this year.
The ₹25 Lakh Question
Mumbai dealer Rajesh Sharma (name changed) tells us: “Customers are depositing ₹50,000 for Creta EV bookings daily.”
Meanwhile, Honda showrooms in Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore report losing 200+ EV inquiries weekly.
The cost? Industry insiders estimate Honda will miss capturing ₹15,000 crore in the booming EV segment.
What Competitors Won’t Tell You
Breaking: The Honda EV won’t be based on Elevate.
CEO Takashi Nakajima personally denied the Elevate EV rumors. Instead, sources hint at a completely new platform designed for Indian roads.
But wait:
Honda is secretly building charging infrastructure across 15 cities. No other brand is doing this pre-launch.
| What They Said | What’s Actually Happening | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|
| “EV by 2025” | Delayed to FY27 | 18-month wait minimum |
| “Elevate-based EV” | Brand new platform | Higher price likely |
| “Competing with Nexon EV” | Targeting Creta EV segment | ₹20-25 lakh price bracket |
The India Twist
Karnataka gets preference for the first 1,000 units. Gujarat and Maharashtra follow.
Smaller cities like Pune, Nagpur, and Mysore surprisingly make the priority list.
North-East states? Zero allocation in phase one.
Real Reactions from Indian Buyers:
"@CarEnthusiast_Del: Just booked Creta EV. Can't wait 2 more years for Honda 😤"
"@MumbaiDriver: My City hybrid is great but needed EV for daily office run. Going with e-Vitara now"
"15,000+ people discussing this on TeamBHP forums right now"
The Controversial Part
Look, I get it. Honda wants perfection.
But Indian EV buyers won’t wait. Tata alone sold 48,000 EVs last year while Honda watched.
The truth? Honda’s cautious approach might cost them the entire first-mover advantage in India’s ₹2 lakh crore EV market.
Your Next Move
If you’re a Honda loyalist: The City e:HEV hybrid at ₹19.90 lakh offers 27.26 km/l today.
If you need an EV now: Creta EV (473km range) or upcoming e-Vitara (550km range) are your best bets.
If you can wait: Honda promises three new models by FY27, including one pure electric SUV above 4 meters.
The Bigger Picture
Mark my words: By March 2027, India’s EV market will triple to ₹75,000 crore.
Honda will enter when competition peaks and margins shrink.
The winner? You. Because price wars benefit buyers.
Not everyone agrees with this. What’s your take? Join 25,000+ Indians discussing this below.
