- Honda will launch an electric N-Box in Japan starting in 2027.
- BYD’s electric Racco will hit the Japanese market in 2026.
- N-Box has led Japan’s sales charts for three consecutive years.
With BYD preparing to launch its compact all-electric Racco Kei car in Japan, the ripple effect is already being felt. Honda, it seems, is not planning to stand by quietly. According to a new report, the company is now aiming to introduce an electric version of its best-selling N-Box by 2027.
For Japanese buyers, that would mark the first time the immensely popular Kei car is offered in a fully electric configuration.
Read: 2024 Honda N-Box Debuts In Japan With Improved Style And Practicality
The N-Box has topped Japan’s new vehicle sales charts for the past three consecutive years. Currently, it’s only available with a 658 cc three-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 58 horsepower in its naturally aspirated form or 63 horsepower with a turbocharger.
Honda gave the N-Box a full redesign two years ago, launching the third-generation model, and the car remains a dominant force with over 206,000 units sold last year.
What Will Power the N-Box EV?
As work on the electric model is still in its early stages, limited details are known about it. However, if Honda intends to position the new model as a true rival to the incoming BYD Racco, which is expected to hit the market in 2026, it will need to keep pace with certain benchmarks.
The Racco is equipped with a 20 kWh battery pack, delivering an estimated range of about 112 miles (180 kilometers) on a single charge.
Nikkei Asia reports that Honda is still working out both the range and pricing strategy for the electric N-Box. Importantly, the model won’t be replacing the current internal combustion version. Instead, the EV will be sold alongside it, giving customers a choice rather than forcing a transition.
Japan’s Slow Shift to EVs
Despite Japan’s global reputation for technological innovation, electric vehicles have struggled to gain a foothold in the domestic market. EVs currently account for just about 2 percent of new car sales in the country.
Among those that have found success, small electric cars like the Nissan Sakura and Mitsubishi eK X stand out, together making up roughly 40 percent of all EV sales within Japan.
It’s not just Honda that will soon have an answer to the BYD Racco. Suzuki is also reportedly developing an electric minicar of its own, though details remain scarce. At this stage, it’s unclear whether Suzuki’s offering will be built from the ground up or derived from an existing platform.
