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Honda Motor Company sits on the cusp of delivering its first EV – the Prologue – to the US market. Developed with the help of General Motors, this all-electric SUV is a notable start to zero-emissions vehicles and should do well with fans of the Japanese brand who are new to EVs. I got to drive the Prologue in California last month and have plenty of thoughts.

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The Prologue kicks off Honda’s venture into US EVs

It’s been three years since Honda first announced plans for a new EV called the Prologue SUV as part of a welcomed strategy to go all-electric by 2030… well, at least in China to start.

Since then, Honda’s electrification strategy has been bolstered and divided into three phases en route to introducing 30 EVs globally by the decade’s end. In the US market, Honda’s EV journey begins with the Prologue – a fitting name.

We saw the Prologue’s design process teased in the summer of 2022 ahead of an official unveiling that fall. Following a sneak peek last September, Honda shared the range and pricing of the Prologue trims last month, and it’s encouraging.

As you’ll see below, the base-level, single motors trim of the Prologue starts under $50,000 and delivers nearly 300 miles of EPA range. After driving the upcoming SUV myself, I’d say there are a lot of pluses for customers, but if you’re looking for anything new and groundbreaking in style and performance, you’re best to look elsewhere.

The Honda Prologue is a more than able new EV

As you may recall, during the initial announcement of the EV, Honda’s Prologue SUV was developed alongside GM and sits atop the American automaker’s Ultium platform, which also powered the upcoming ZDX SUV from Honda’s luxury brand Acura.

While the two auto giants continue to work together to deliver a massive EV charging network in North America through the IONNA joint venture, Honda has since cut ties with GM to co-develop future affordable EVs and will go it alone in the future.

In experiencing the Honda Prologue EV inside and out, there is GM DNA all over it, from the interior components to the weight of the Ultium pack (the Prologue Elite’s curb weight is about 5,300 lbs) and drive style. I’ll get into my driving experience below, but first, let’s dig into the performance specs the SUV delivers.

2024
Prologue Trim
EX (FWD) EX (AWD) Touring (FWD) Touring (AWD) Elite (AWD)
Horsepower 212 hp 288 hp 212 hp 288 hp 288 hp
Torque 236 lb.-ft. 333 lb.-ft. 236 lb.-ft. 333 lb.-ft. 333 lb.-ft.
Max Towing 1,500 lbs. 1,500 lbs. 1,500 lbs. 1,500 lbs. 1,500 lbs.
Battery Capacity 85 kWh 85 kWh 85 kWh 85 kWh 85 kWh
EPA Range 296 miles 281 miles 296 miles 281 miles 273 miles
EPA MPGe
(City/Hwy/Combined)
107/91/99 101/88/95 107/91/99 101/88/95 99/84/92
Level 2 AC
Charge Rate
34.1 miles/hour 34.1 miles/hour 34.1 miles/hour 34.1 miles/hour 34.1 miles/hour
DC Fast Charge Rate (20-80%) 35 mins 35 mins 35 mins 35 mins 35 mins
Source: Honda

As you can see, the Prologue’s specs are more than adequate compared to the rest of the compact electric SUV segment. Especially when you factor in pricing, which I cover below. The 296 miles of range offered by the two single-motor trims is more than most consumers need on a daily basis, so I’d highlight that as a significant initial selling point.

However, this SUV is heavy and doesn’t quite have the giddy-up acceleration that makes EVs so fun. If you’ve never driven an EV, however, you probably wouldn’t notice. This is more evidence, in my opinion, that the Honda Prologue is an excellent entry-level EV for consumers new to the segment. Here are some interior images before I dig into my overall experience.

Driving experience

I visited Sonoma, California, and got behind the wheel of the AWD Elite trim of the Prologue, just so you know what I was working with, as I elaborate below. From the exterior, the Prologue is sleek and aerodynamic, low and stretched. It offers a streamlined look that offers more interior space than you’d expect.

When first hopping inside the Prologue, the interior dash is vaguely reminiscent of the Chevy Blazer EV from GM. The steering wheel is a damn near match, and the center console also shares a lot of similarities.

I found the cabin roomy and comfortable, and I always enjoy air-conditioned seats… especially when hitting windy roads at high speeds (more on that later). The driver’s display was easy to read, even in sunlight, but I found it slightly obstructed by the steering wheel. The head-up display was easily visible but didn’t offer much more than my speed.

I found I didn’t use the center display often because there were a lot of tap-throughs, and I didn’t feel the menus were intuitive when searching for what I needed, like drive modes. It turns out there are only two drive modes in the Prologue: Standard and Sport, which are activated by a button to the left of the steering column. I thought that was strange, although easy to use.

The regenerative braking was available in several levels, which is excellent for EV drivers, new and seasoned, and I found the stiffest settings to my liking – easy one-pedal driving. However, activating the regen was not ideal. There’s a bumper on the pack of the steering wheel that looks like it would easily allow you to switch regenerative settings, but no such luck – just two buttons to skip and restart tracks playing on the infotainment system.

Instead, you have to tap through multiple menus to find the regenerative braking settings, and I actually had to ask a nearby tech for help during a pitstop because I couldn’t find it. Not ideal.

Now for the drive.

I would say the Honda Prologue EV did not wow me in any way regarding torque and acceleration, especially for a dual-motor powertrain. I found it sluggish and heavy, especially from a standstill. That said, I noticed more of the SUV’s agility at higher speeds. Once it got going on a rare straightaway within the winding roads of wine country, it really got going (I broke a lot of speed limits).

Still, I had complete confidence in overtaking other cars, but acceleration could have been quicker and more responsive compared to similar EVs I had driven in the past. I also felt little difference when activating Sport mode. I would honestly have preferred an Eco mode to maximize range.

Up in the mountains, the Honda Prologue EV handled every turn aside from one hairpin that had some gravel, causing that back end to skid out a bit, but I’d blame the driver for that. I came in a little too hot for such a heavy vehicle.

I personally am no stranger to the Honda brand. My Father is currently driving his third consecutive CR-V – the first of which is still in the family and just hit 170,000-lifetime miles. The automaker builds sturdy, dependable vehicles, and there’s no doubt it’s trying to bring that level of quality to its new lineup of EVs.

The Prologue is a decent start, but it’s also not 100% Honda yet. I’d compare it to a Nissan Ariya as a more than adequate EV that could serve as the perfect transition vehicle for drivers graduating from ICE to electric. I’d still take the Prologue over the Ariya and would 100% take it over the Toyota bZ4X in a heartbeat.

The Honda Prologue EV lacks the “wow” factor, but it’s a comfy, dependable ride with plenty of cargo space for its size. Honda fans will likely love it, as will consumers looking for a semi-affordable EV with plenty of space… just not a third row.

Honda still has some work to do with future EVs, but the Prologue is, by all means, an encouraging start, and I have confidence in the automaker looking forward. Trust that I’ll closely monitor how the US market responds; however, that’s always the best litmus test.

2024 Prologue pricing and availability

Interested in testing out the Honda Prologue yourself? The all-electric SUV is available for reservations now and is expected to begin arriving at Honda dealers in March. Purchases include a complimentary selection from one of three charging packages that include, a home or portable charging kit, installation credit, as well as free charging credits on both the EVgo and Electrify American networks.

2024 Honda Prologue EV pricing is as follows:

2024 Prologue Trim EX (FWD) EX (AWD) Touring (FWD) Touring (AWD) Elite (AWD)
MSRP* $48,795 $51,795 $53,095 $56,095 $59,295
* – includes $1,395 destination charge but not tax, license, registration, premium paints and accessories. Dealer prices may vary.

What do you think? Could you see yourself in a Honda Prologue? What trim and color are you going with?

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Global energy giant RWE halts US offshore wind because of Trump

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Global energy giant RWE halts US offshore wind because of Trump

Global renewable developer and energy giant RWE has halted its US offshore wind operations “for the time being” because of the “political environment” the Trump administration has created.

RWE, Germany’s biggest electricity producer, said in March that it had dialed back its US offshore wind activities. But now, CEO Marcus Krebber said in a speech transcript, which he’ll deliver at the company’s Annual General Meeting in Essen on April 30, that its US offshore wind business is now closed (but it wasn’t all bad news): 

In the US, where we have stopped our offshore activities for the time being, our business in onshore wind, solar energy, and battery storage has so far been developing very dynamically. At the start of this year, we reached an important milestone when our US generation capacity hit the 10 gigawatt mark. The construction of a further 4 gigawatts is secured.

He went on to say that renewables have created regional value and jobs, but that the company remains “cautious given the political developments.” RWE has introduced more stringent requirements for future US investments:

All necessary federal permits must be in place. Tax credits must be safe harbored and all relevant tariff risks mitigated. In addition, onshore wind and solar projects must have secured offtake at the time of the investment decision. Only if these conditions are met will further investments be possible, given the political environment.

About half of RWE’s installed renewable capacity is in the US, where it’s the third-largest renewable energy company through its subsidiary, RWE Clean Energy. RWE holds the rights to develop US offshore wind projects in New York, Louisiana, and California.

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RWE paid $1.1 billion for the New York lease area in 2022, where it’s meant to develop the 3 gigawatt (GW) Community Offshore Wind with the UK’s National Grid. Community Offshore Wind was projected to come online in the early 2030s and expected to power more than a million homes.

The developer paid $5.6 billion for the Louisiana lease in the Gulf of Mexico in 2023 as the lone bidder for development rights, and the Canopy Offshore Wind project off Northern California was not expected to be completed for another decade.

Read more: Trump admin halts $5 billion NY offshore wind project mid-build


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Trump’s memecoin dinner contest earns insiders $900,000 in two days

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Trump's memecoin dinner contest earns insiders 0,000 in two days

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump and his allies have raked in nearly $900,000 in trading fees over the past two days from the president’s $TRUMP cryptocurrency token, according to Chainalysis, a blockchain data company. 

The surge came after a Wednesday announcement in which the top 220 holders of the token were promised dinner with the president.

“Have Dinner in Washington, D.C. With President Trump,” reads a message on the front page of the Trump coin’s website. The event, which is black tie optional and hosted at the president’s private club in the Washington area, is scheduled for May 22, with a reception for the top 25 holders. A “VIP White House Tour” will take place the following day, the site says. The website also hosts an active leaderboard displaying the usernames of top buyers.

The $TRUMP memecoin jumped more than 50% on the dinner news, boosting its total market value to $2.7 billion. It was met with fierce criticism from some of Trump’s political opponents who said the move was further evidence that the president was using crypto to enrich himself. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a prominent Trump critic, wrote on X that the sale was “the most brazenly corrupt thing a President has ever done. Not close.”

Roughly 80% of the $TRUMP token supply is controlled by the Trump Organization and affiliates, according to the project’s website. Since its launch in January, trading activity has generated about $324.5 million in trading fees for insiders, Chainalysis found. These fees are generated through the token’s built-in mechanism that routes a percentage of each trade to wallets controlled by the project — wallets that, according to the website, are linked to the coin’s creators.

Memecoins, often referred to as meme tokens, are a subset of digital assets that use blockchain technology and derive their value largely from internet culture, memes and social media hype rather than from an underlying utility or asset. The originators of memecoins can make fees when their coins are bought and sold.

They have grown in popularity in recent years as speculative assets, with some coins including dogecoin and fartcoin amassing total market values in excess of $1 billion.

Most of the $TRUMP supply remains locked under a three-year vesting plan, with coins gradually becoming available over time. Lockups like these are meant to protect investors by preventing insiders from cashing out all at once — a scheme commonly known in the crypto world as a “rug pull.” Vesting schedules aim to give retail buyers confidence that early holders won’t overwhelm the market and tank the token’s value.

Still, the dinner contest is being viewed by critics as an unusually explicit attempt to monetize presidential access. 

As CNBC reported Friday, Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts are urging the U.S. Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether the promotion constitutes “pay to play” corruption.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment. The company behind the memecoin also did not respond to a request for comment.

Delaney Marsco, the director of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit focused on campaign finance and government accountability, told NBC News the coin and dinner contest amounted to an unprecedented ethics breach — though it is unlikely to be illegal.

“Criminal conflicts of interest statutes don’t apply to the President,” she said. “That has allowed him to go against decades of of norms that every modern president since Carter has adhered to, which is to divest your financial interests, rid yourself of your businesses, and kind of go in to the presidency with a clean financial slate so that no one could accuse you of manipulating policy decisions or using your position in order to enrich yourself.” 

“The fact that he is not barred by the law from having these financial interests like this meme coin allows him to engage in a lot of seemingly corrupt activity. It has the appearance of a pay to play, so the President is apparently selling access to himself,” Marsco added.

Molly White, an independent crypto researcher, told NBC News that the leaderboard only shows top $TRUMP holders — and then only by their chosen screen name, making it difficult to identify who is paying to potentially join the dinner.

Schiff and Warren have cited public reports showing that some $TRUMP investors have ties to foreign exchanges or received funds from crypto platforms banned in the U.S., including Binance.

White also noted that at least one top $TRUMP owner has an account on Binance, a cryptocurrency company that doesn’t allow American users.

Trump was elected with significant help from the cryptocurrency industry, which poured tens of millions of dollars into the 2024 election, outpacing corporate donations from traditional sectors like banking and oil. After opposing digital assets during his first term, Trump pivoted in 2024 to campaign as a champion of cryptocurrency, casting Democrats as hostile to innovation and as advocating for tighter regulation. 

The $TRUMP token itself offers no product or service, according to the project’s website. It is part of a broader push by the Trump family into digital assets, despite the market’s volatility and regulatory risks.

In addition to the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins, the family is backing World Liberty Financial, a decentralized finance venture that has raised $550 million across two token sales since last October. Buyers are barred from reselling their tokens and receive no share of profits — but a Trump-affiliated entity is entitled to 75% of net revenue, including token sale proceeds.

Together, these projects have created new streams of revenue for Trump and his inner circle at a time when regulatory oversight of cryptocurrency has weakened sharply under his administration.

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Drive Electric Earth Month, continues this weekend, get your EV Qs answered

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Drive Electric Earth Month, continues this weekend, get your EV Qs answered

It’s that time of year again, time for events across the country to show off electric vehicles at Drive Electric Earth Month.

Drive Electric Earth Month is an offshoot of Drive Electric Week, a long-running annual tradition hosting meetups mostly in the US, but also occasionally in other countries. It started as Drive Electric Earth Day, but since not every event can happen on the same day, they went ahead and extended it to encompass “Earth Month” events that happen across the month of April. It’s all organized by Plug In America, the Sierra Club, the Electric Vehicle Association, EV Hybrid Noire, and Drive Electric USA.

Events consist of general Earth Day-style community celebrations, EV Ride & Drives where you can test drive several EVs in one place, and opportunities to talk to EV owners and ask them questions about what it’s like to live with an EV, away from the pressure of a dealership.

This month, there are 158 events registered across the US and 1 in Mexico (including one online webinar about things to consider when purchasing an EV).

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Events have been happening all month, but the biggest weekend is this upcoming one, APril 26-27.

One really neat event was the Asheville event, which showcased the resiliency of EVs in an area devastated by Hurricane Helene, which was made more severe by climate change. That event was attended by the Rivian R1T which famously got dragged 100 feet submerged in mud and came out running fine.

But the bulk of the events happened on the weekends surrounding Earth Day, April 22, so there were several last weekend and will be even more this upcoming weekend.

There are plenty of events in the big cities where you’d expect, but Plug In America wanted to highlight a few of the events in smaller places around the country. Here’s a sampling of upcoming events:

  • Big Island EV – Cruise and Picnic in Waimea, HI on April 26, 10am-1pm – EV drivers will congregate in various places around the Big Island (Kona, Waimea, Waikoloa and Hilo), then drive up Saddle Road to the Gil Kahele Recreation Area on Mauna Kea for a potluck and a chance to talk about the experience of owning EVs on the Big Island.
  • Santa Barbara Earth Day 2025 and Green Car Show in Santa Barbara, CA on April 26-27, 11am-8pm – This is part of Santa Barbara’s Earth Day celebration, which routinely attracts 30,000 participants and is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations on the planet. The Green Car Show includes ride & drives and an “Owners Corner” where owners can showcase their EVs and attendees can check them out and ask questions.
  • Earth Day’25 – EV’s role in a sustainable future in Queretaro City, Mexico on April 26, 9am-4pm – The sole Mexican event, this is a combined in-person/online seminar at the Querétaro Institute of Technology.
  • Norman Earth Day Festival in Norman, OK on April 27, 12-5pm – Another municipal Earth Day festival, with hands-on activities for kids to learn about the environment. A portion of the parking lot reserved for an EV car show for EV owners who pre-register to show off their vehicles.
  • Oregon Electric Vehicle Association Test Drive & Information Expo in Portland, OR on April 27, 10am-4pm – This one is at Daimler Truck’s North American HQ, and will have several EVs for test drives, owner displays (including DIY gas-to-EV conversions), and keynote presentations by EV experts. They’ll even have a 1914 Detroit Electric EV available for test rides!
  • And, we at Electrek want to give a shoutout to Rove’s EV Drive Days in Santa Ana 10am-3pm April 28 – ROVE is the company behind the “full-service” EV charging concept that we’ve talked about several times here on Electrek, and we like what they’re doing for EV charging. They’ve hosted a few community events, and this is their contribution to Earth Month.

Each event has a different assortment of activities (e.g. test drives won’t be available at every event, generally just the larger ones attended by local dealerships), so be sure to check the events page to see what the plan is for your local event.

These events have offered a great way to connect with owners and see the newest electric vehicle tech, and even get a chance to do test rides and drives in person. Attendees got to hear unfiltered information from actual owners about the benefits and trials of owning EVs, allowing for longer and more genuine (and often more knowledgeable) conversations than one might normally encounter at a dealership.

And if you’re an owner – you can show off your car and answer those questions for interested onlookers.

To view all the events and see what’s happening in your area, you can check out the list of events or the events map. You can also sign up to volunteer at your local events, and if you plan to show off your electric car, you can RSVP on each event page and list the vehicle that you plan to show (or see what other vehicles have already registered).


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