Honda has unveiled its first electric kei car, the Honda N-One e, which will be marketed at around 17,000 euros in Japan. This retro model draws inspiration from the iconic N360 of the 1960s. With its compact size, rounded design, and surprisingly spacious interior, Honda aims to dethrone the Nissan Sakura, the current queen of the mini electric vehicle market in Japan.
An Awakening Inspired by the Fiat Topolino
Generally, a kei car reserved for the Japanese market wouldn’t have caught my attention. However, the N-One e reminded me of my experience driving the Fiat Topolino in southern France this summer. This pleasant experience made me realize how perfect this type of vehicle would be for my daily trips, which rarely exceed a 10-kilometer radius from my home.
Topolino vs N-One e: An Instructive Comparison
The Honda isn’t quite in the same category as the Topolino. The N-One e is a real car, with a full interior, a rear bench seat, and a trunk. Its range is 295 km, and its top speed, although not disclosed, is surely higher than the Fiat’s 45 km/h. The Topolino, even smaller, makes do with a digital screen and a phone holder. It only offers two seats, minimal storage, and 75 km of range, but its price is only 10,000 euros.
The Daily Utility of a Mini Electric Vehicle
Although I enjoy driving a large SUV, I don’t need such a vehicle to do my shopping 5 km away, go to the nearby gym, or take my daughter to the mall 10 km away. Except for the airport, which I frequent once or twice a month, a Topolino would be more than enough for me. For more comfort, I would probably opt for an N-One e, which could even take me to the airport and back twice without recharging.
The Ideal Solution: Smart Bottle-Feeding
As many families have realized, the key is to have two cars. My wife, who works outside and has different commutes, would keep the SUV. I would be perfectly content with a mini electric car. For road trips, the SUV would be back in service. To go to dinner at the local restaurant, I would offer my little circus car, an offer she would surely refuse. Too bad for her.
A Call to Manufacturers and Authorities
I’m not saying we should all replace our SUVs with mini electric cars. But I would like to see French authorities allow the import of these efficient small vehicles, and for major manufacturers to take the risk of marketing them here, even if just experimentally. I can guarantee you they would sell at least one to an eccentric person in Indianapolis. You already know who it is.