Honda commits to going out of business by pulling back on EVs as sales rise
Honda said it will reduce its planned EV investments by $21 billion, claiming that it’s doing so due to a slowdown in EV sales which isn’t actually happening.
Instead, it will focus on hybrids, which get 100% of their energy from fossil fuels, and which cause climate change and poison the air you breathe.
Honda’s announcement came earlier today in Japan, stating that it will scrap its plan for EVs to be 30% of its global vehicle sales by 2030, citing a “slowdown in the expansion of the EV market due to several factors, including changes in environmental regulations.” It will reduce planned investment from 10 trillion yen ($69 billion) to 7 trillion ($48 billion).
However, as we have pointed out many times here at Electrek, EV sales have not fallen, cooled, slowed or slumped. In fact, last year, in 2024, EV sales grew more than they did in 2023. Meanwhile, global gas car sales hit their peak in 2017, and have been trending down since.
Honda didn’t precisely state its new timeline, but said that EVs would fall below the previously-announced target of 30% by 2030.
It instead said it would focus on hybrids, which get 100% of their energy from fossil fuels, and thus pollute the air you breathe and cause climate change with every stroke of their outdated, inefficient engines.
(*Note: Honda’s chart says “HEV,” not “PHEV” – it’s possible they’re including plug-ins here, and thus some of these vehicles will get some of their energy from something other than fossil fuels, but HEV typically means conventional hybrids which get all of their energy from gas)
Honda said that these gas-guzzling hybrids will “be introduced to market in 2027 onward,” which means they will continue driving on roads and polluting the Earth for decades, including after Honda’s 2050 carbon-neutrality target.
Honda’s previous plan for 30% by 2030 was already quite low compared to other global automakers, even after many of these companies have walked back their EV plans. Most of these other companies also cited the nonexistent slowdown in EV sales.
Honda said that its future hybrid models will “play a key role during the transition period toward the popularization of EVs.” In some of the world’s more profitable countries for auto sales, EVs are already at or nearing majority market share.
Electrek’s Take
It’s estimated that this year – not 2030 – 25% of cars sold globally will be EVs. So, any company that sells less than that is lagging behind the curve, losing ground to companies that are ready for the transition that is already happening. When you are behind, the way to catch up is to speed up, not to slow down.
This 25% EV sales projection shouldn’t be a surprise, because EV sales have been rising globally for many years now, and haven’t stopped doing so, as we keep having to point out. In fact, the opposite is happening.
Honda also mentioned changes in environmental regulations, stating that these regulations were “the premise for the widespread adoption of EVs.” In the same statement, it mentioned its “ambitious goal to ‘achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities’” – so I guess the mention of regulations as the actual premise means all that carbon neutrality stuff was just greenwashing, after all.
But as for regulations, currently, US regulations target ~50% market share for EVs by 2030, and California targets 68%. 30% is a far cry from either of these, so one would think that Honda should increase that number, not lower it.
Further, those regulations are likely not changing nearly enough to make up for Honda’s change in strategy here. Despite the protests of a former reality TV host and convicted felon (who is Constitutionally barred from holding office in the US, by the way), it is unlikely that already-filed regulations, which cover the period from 2027-2032, will be changed.
But the US isn’t the world – maybe Honda was talking about other major markets?
Well, Europe isn’t changing its regulations, either – the bloc recently said it will give automakers “breathing room”, allowing them to use the average of their emissions from 2025-2027 to comply with new emissions regulations, but this will still require a steeper ramp-up by the end of that period if automakers are not in compliance today. In other words, those regulations have not been softened on a 2030 timeline, only on a 2025 one.
And in China, well, new regulations went into effect a couple years ago, but they almost didn’t need to, because ICE cars are virtually unsellable there these days. EV adoption is rising incredibly rapidly in China, driven by local brands which Chinese customers trust more, and which have more nifty features than the models global automakers are offering there.
In fact, Honda’s profit is slipping precisely because of the rapid advancement of the Chinese auto market. AP reports that Honda’s Q1 profits slipped by 24.5%, driven largely by sliding sales in China in the face of local EV competition. How’s that for “slowing demand.”
Honda does sell one EV in the US market, the Prologue, which is selling like gangbusters. It’s the fifth-best-selling EV in the country, and was a large part of what drove US EV sales into growth in April. It’s also Honda’s fastest-growing model – though, to be fair, that does count from a very low baseline, as the model was only trickling out onto the market a year ago.
So, there seems to be no real justification for Honda’s change in strategy here. Unless they seem to enjoy that China is now beating Japan in terms of auto exports, and are excited to see Japan lose 14% of GDP and millions of jobs by stalling on EVs.
I guess if you want to go out of business and bring your country and the planet down with you, this is the way to do it.
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BLUETTI just dropped something really big. The new Apex 300 is here, and it’s BLUETTI’s most advanced, modular power station to date. It’s made to grow with you, whether you need backup for your home, juice for your RV, or power for your off-grid setup.
And it just launched on Indiegogo on May 20 at 8am PDT, so if you’re interested in living with more energy independence (or just want to keep your fridge running during a blackout), you’ll want to check this out.
BLUETTI Apex 300: big power in a portable package
At its core, the BLUETTI Apex 300 gives you 2,764.8Wh of energy and a solid 3,840W output. But here’s where it gets interesting: it supports both 120V and 240V split-phase power from a single unit. That means you don’t need two machines or fancy adapters to run heavy-duty appliances like air conditioners, pool pumps, or even a Tesla EV (via 12,000W bypass charging). Just flip a switch. Boom. Done.
True whole-home backup, minus the complication
Ever wish your home could keep running without some noisy generator kicking in? The Apex 300 delivers just that, thanks to 12,000W/50A bypass power and a true 0ms UPS switchover. That means your lights, fridge, CPAP, and wifi stay powered without skipping a beat.
Plus, with ultra-low idle drain at just 20W – that’s just one-third of what’s typical in its class – it sips power instead of guzzling it, keeping a fridge running up to 24 hours longer than typical systems and doubling the runtime of devices like CPAP machines.
Build the power system of your dreams
One Apex 300 is great. But if you want serious, off-grid energy independence? Stack up to three Apex 300s and add up to 18 B300K expansion batteries. That’s up to 58,000Wh of home battery backup power – enough to run your entire home for a week.
And when you plug into BLUETTI’s whole ecosystem, like the AT1 Smart Distribution Box, the Apex 300 automatically manages your home’s power during peak hours, extreme weather, and grid outages.
Generator charging: Your rainy-day plan C
For regions prone to extended blackouts, batteries can still run low – and if the sun isn’t shining? That’s where generators come in. The Apex 300 features built-in 50A charging ports that support 120/240V generator input using a single 30A or 50A cable. With a 3,840W input, it can fully recharge in just 65 minutes. When connected in parallel, it supports up to 11,520W of generator charging – providing even more flexibility for larger power needs in most home battery backup scenarios.
Why bother? While many gas generators adjust their engine speed, they still struggle to match your appliances’ real-time power needs, meaning energy still goes to waste. A hybrid setup, like pairing a generator with the Apex 300, captures and stores that power for later use. The bonus? You can switch off the generator and enjoy some well-earned quiet time.
RV-ready, road-trip approved
For vanlifers, overlanders, and full-time RVers, the Apex 300 is a game changer. It comes with NEMA TT-30R and 14-50R ports built right in, so you can plug into shore power – no adapter needed. Or use it as a mobile campground power source that can directly charge your entire RV, saving on costly campground power fees. While on the move, the Apex 300 can be quickly recharged by pairing foldable solar panels with the Car DC-to-DC Charger 1, delivering up to 1,760W of input power – enough to fully recharge the battery in as little as 1.8 hours without needing shore power.
Solar-powered savings (and speed)
With the optional SolarX 4K Charge Controller, the Apex 300 can handle up to 6,400W of solar input. When you connect three Apex 300 units in parallel – each paired with a SolarX 4K and linked via the AT1 – the total input power soars to an astonishing 30,720W, making it one of the fastest-charging, highest-capacity solar setups in the portable power station market.
Thanks to BLUETTI’s dual MPPT TurboBoost technology, you’ll reach 80% charge in just 40 minutes. Over time, this powerful combo of the Apex 300 and SolarX 4K essentially pays for itself – typically within two years – through peak shaving and optimized solar efficiency.
It’s built to last (like, 17 years)
The Apex 300 uses 2nd-gen automotive-grade LiFePO4 cells, giving it a 6,000-cycle lifespan – that’s up to 17 years of daily use. It’s also hot-swappable, so you can pull a battery to go camping without taking apart your whole system.
And because it’s 40% more energy-dense than typical models, it saves on space, too. Whether you’re sliding it under a bed in your camper or parking it in your garage, it’s built to go the distance – and go quietly, cleanly, and safely.
Smart features, simple control
From the BLUETTI app, you can do everything: set load priorities, enable extreme weather alerts, and even program auto-start for your generator. This is true mobile-first energy management and is surprisingly easy to use.
Plus, the system gets smarter with AI-powered over-the-air updates, so you’re always running the latest and greatest.
What’s so great about the BLUETTI Apex 300
There’s really nothing else like the Apex 300. It’s portable, powerful, modular, and smart – and it’s the first to combine 12,000W bypass capacity with plug-and-play usability and grid-tied smarts. It’s also one of the most cost-effective systems out there, with the fastest solar payback of just two years when paired with BLUETTI’s SolarX 4K system.
And thanks to its plug-and-play design and mobile-first setup, it’s easy to install and manage.
If you’re bracing for hurricane-related power outages or gearing up for summer RV trips, the Apex 300 delivers a practical, reliable solution for real-world energy needs.
As for the standout deal? That would be the Apex 300 + B300K bundle – just $0.36 per watt-hour. Or, as some like to say, $900 to grab the 2.7kWh Apex 300, with tax and shipping already baked in. Quantities are limited, and here’s a nice bonus: installment plans are now on the table.
There are also a handful of other bundles crafted for different setups, so it’s worth seeing what fits best. The campaign runs through July 19 – might be worth a peek before it’s gone.
About BLUETTI
BLUETTI is a dedicated advocate for sustainability, integrating ESG principles throughout product design and corporate initiatives. Through impactful projects like LAAF (Light An African Family), BLUETTI provides affordable, sustainable energy solutions to communities across Africa. By partnering with Leave No Trace, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, BLUETTI supports responsible outdoor recreation through clean energy solutions that minimize environmental footprints. This blend of craftsmanship, reliability, and a focus on real-world needs is what makes BLUETTI trusted in over 110 countries and regions.
Follow BLUETTI on Twitter/X here and on Facebook here.
All photos: BLUETTI
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Environment
BMW is now testing EVs with all-solid-state batteries, the ‘holy grail’ of EV battery tech
The first BMW EVs powered by all-solid-state batteries are now on the road for testing. BMW used an i7 to test the “holy grail” of EV battery tech, promising longer driving range at a lower cost.
BMW tests first EVs with all-solid-state batteries
BMW hit a milestone on Monday after completing its first on-road tests using Solid Power’s all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells.
Often called the “holy grail” of EV battery technology, ASSBs promise significantly higher energy density than current batteries. Since they can pack higher energy density into a smaller space, all-solid-state batteries have the potential to boost driving range at a lower cost.
The i7 test vehicle is based on BMW’s current Gen 5 architecture, using new prismatic cells in modules. To integrate Solid Power’s ASSB cells, BMW modified the platform using new module concepts.
BMW and Solid Power have been working together since 2022 to advance the new EV battery tech. In December 2022, BMW revealed plans to license Solid Power’s tech for a new solid cell prototype line at its Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) in Parsdorf.
The German automaker will continue to test sulfide-based electrolytes in solid-state battery packs over the next few months.
BMW follows Mercedes-Benz, which announced in February it had put “the first car powered by a lithium-metal solid-state battery on the road” through its partnership with US-based Factorial Energy.
Mercedes used a modified EQS, fitted with solid-state batteries. With an expected 40% weight savings compared to current Li-ion batteries, Factorial aims to unlock over 600 miles of driving range.
The milestone also comes after Martin Schuster, BMW Group’s vice president of next-generation battery tech, told Autocar in February that solid-state batteries were still too expensive and that current lithium-ion batteries have “a long way to go.”
Electrek’s Take
German automakers are not the only ones advancing the promising new battery tech. Global battery leaders CATL and BYD are also expected to launch EVs with all-solid-state batteries over the next few years.
Sun Huajun, the CTO of BYD’s battery business (Shenzhen BYD Lithium Battery Co), said earlier this year that the company expects its first EVs with all-solid-state batteries to arrive in 2027. Production will be limited for the first two years, but by 2030, BYD expects ASSBs to enter the mass market.
In the initial phase, BYD will use a sulfide-based solution in some of its higher-end models. Like BYD, CATL reportedly plans to begin production of all-solid-state EV batteries in 2027, but in small volumes.
Several others, including Hyundai, Nissan, Stellantis, Toyota, and Honda, are racing to develop the next generation of EV batteries.
Which will be the first to launch all-solid-state EV batteries on a mass scale? CATL and BYD already lead the market by a wide margin, but others are quickly advancing with on-road testing. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Source: BMW Group
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