Honda took a big step toward the future of electric vehicles (EVs) by showing off its groundbreaking Honda 0 Series at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025. The company showed off two prototype models: the Honda 0 Saloon and the Honda 0 SUV. These cars will be available around the world starting in 2026. They are Honda’s ambitious move toward electrification, combining cutting-edge technology, a futuristic design, and a commitment to sustainability. The Honda 0 Series wants to change the way people think about electric vehicles (EVs) by making them “thin, light, and wise.” This goes against the idea that EVs should be big and heavy. The 0 Series promises an exciting and smart driving experience. Here’s a detailed look at what sets the Honda 0 Series apart from other electric vehicles.
A Fresh Start: The “0” Way of Thinking
The name “Honda 0 Series” shows that the company wants to go back to its roots and start over with how people move around. The “0” stands for both a new beginning in EV development and Honda’s promise to a future with no emissions. This fits with the company’s goal of making all of its products and business activities carbon neutral by 2050. The 0 Series is different from Honda’s previous EVs, like the GM-based Honda Prologue, in that it is built entirely in-house. It has a dedicated EV architecture that is meant to push the limits of performance, efficiency, and user experience.
The phrase “Thin, Light, and Wise” sums up Honda’s approach to development, which is based on three main ideas:
• Thin: A low-height, aerodynamic platform that makes the most of the interior space and improves design possibilities. • Light: Lightweight engineering for sporty handling and better energy efficiency. • Wise: Advanced AI and connected technologies that make driving more personalized and intelligent.
These ideas are the foundation for the 0 Series’ mission to provide five important benefits: artistic design, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), a connected “space” for people, the joy of driving, and great energy efficiency.
The Honda 0 Saloon is a sleek, sporty flagship.
The Honda 0 Saloon is the series’ flagship model. It is a low-slung, wedge-shaped sedan that combines the look of a supercar with the practicality of a sedan. The Saloon was first shown as a prototype at CES 2025. It builds on the idea that was first shown at CES 2024, keeping its futuristic look while getting closer to being ready for production. Its aerodynamic shape, made possible by a special “thin” EV platform, cuts down on drag and makes it more efficient—all of which set it apart from the bigger EVs that are popular right now.
The Saloon has a surprisingly roomy cabin on the inside, even though it looks sleek on the outside. This is because Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” design philosophy puts space for people first. The dashboard is very simple and has screens that go from pillar to pillar. These include an instrument cluster, an infotainment system, and a passenger display. All of these are powered by Honda’s new ASIMO OS. This operating system is named after the famous ASIMO humanoid robot. It uses AI to customize the driving experience by learning things like music and driving habits. It also connects to the Internet of Things (IoT) to make everything work smoothly.
The Saloon also has advanced features like steer-by-wire and a motion management system based on Honda’s work in robotics. These make it easy to drive and give you the “joy of driving” that Honda is known for. The Saloon is expected to cost around $50,000 at the start and aims to offer a combination of luxury, performance, and efficiency that will appeal to both tech-savvy and environmentally conscious drivers.
The Honda 0 SUV: Roomy, useful, and ready for production
The Honda 0 SUV is a mid-size crossover that is practical and flexible. It is the first 0 Series model that will be made in early 2026. The SUV prototype is based on the Space-Hub concept that was shown off at CES 2024. It has a blocky, upright shape, a roomy cabin, good visibility, and a flexible interior space that makes it great for families and adventurers. It is a direct competitor to models like the GM-based Honda Prologue because of its strong proportions, which put it between the small Honda CR-V and the midsize Honda Passport.
The 0 SUV, like the Saloon, uses the “Thin, Light, and Wise” method, which gives it a low center of gravity and better aerodynamics for better handling and efficiency. The inside has a modern, high-end cockpit with big screens and few physical buttons. This makes it clear that ASIMO OS powers a digital user experience. The SUV also has steer-by-wire technology and 3D gyro sensors, which were created from Honda’s research into robotics. These make it easier to drive in different road conditions.
Honda’s new EV Hub in Ohio will start making the 0 SUV. It will be available in North America in the first half of 2026, and then in Japan, Europe, and other markets around the world.
ASIMO OS: The 0 Series’s Brain
The ASIMO OS is a unique feature of the Honda 0 Series. It is a vehicle operating system that pays tribute to Honda’s first ASIMO robot, which came out in 2000. This system uses advanced AI to give you a “Wise” experience, with optimization that is very personal. ASIMO OS learns how drivers act, what they like, and what they do, and then makes personalized suggestions for music, navigation, and vehicle settings. It also supports seamless connectivity through IoT, which lets you use features like real-time traffic updates, voice commands, and smartphone integration.
The 0 Series’ advanced driver assistance systems, which include Level 3 autonomous driving, are powered by ASIMO OS. This “eyes-off” feature lets the car drive itself in certain situations, like when there is a traffic jam on the highway, while the driver is still ready to step in if necessary. Honda wants to add more features to Level 3 through over-the-air updates. Their long-term goal is to make it possible to drive without looking at the road in all situations, which would be a first in the automotive industry. The system is backed by a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) made in collaboration with Renesas Electronics. It can handle 2,000 trillion operations per second (TOPS), which makes sure that autonomous driving, powertrain control, and user interface functions all run smoothly.
A New Standard for EVs: Performance and Efficiency
The Honda 0 Series is designed to be very efficient and perform well, solving common problems with electric vehicles like range anxiety and long charging times. Honda wants both models to have a minimum range of 300 miles. This is possible because the battery packs are about 6% thinner than those in current Honda EVs, which makes them lighter and more space-efficient. The cars also have a small e-Axle (electric motor assembly) and advanced aerodynamics, such as active aero elements, to get the most out of their range and use the least amount of energy.
Charging is another great feature. The 0 Series can get a charge of 15% to 80% in 10 to 15 minutes with fast-charging infrastructure. Honda’s battery management system, which has been improved with information from more than 1 million electric vehicles, aims to keep battery degradation to less than 10% after 10 years, making sure the batteries will last a long time. The 0 Series also has vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, which let owners charge their cars when demand is low and sell energy back to the grid when demand is high. This makes the 0 Series act like a virtual power plant to help keep the grid stable.
The cars have NACS charging ports, which means they can use Tesla’s Supercharger network and the Ionna charging network. Honda is working with seven other automakers to add 30,000 fast-charging points in North America by 2030.
A Commitment to the Future: Sustainability and Manufacturing
Honda’s investment in the 0 Series goes beyond making and designing cars to include sustainability. The company is spending $700 million to turn three factories in Ohio into an EV Hub, where the 0 SUV and Saloon will be made. Using advanced manufacturing methods like 6000-ton megacasting and 3D friction stir welding, we can make a lightweight, super-strong steel platform and slim battery packs that are about 100 kg lighter than regular EVs.
The 0 Series also fits in with Honda’s bigger plans to electrify all of its vehicles. The company wants to sell only electric and fuel-cell cars by 2040. The 0 Series helps Honda reach its goal of a sustainable, zero-emissions future by using energy-efficient technologies and allowing charging in both directions.
Problems and competition
The Honda 0 Series promises to be innovative, but it will have to compete with Tesla, Chinese carmakers, and well-known brands like Hyundai and Kia in the EV market. People on X have mixed feelings about the posts. Some are excited about the futuristic designs, but others are worried about the prices, charging speeds, and software reliability. Some people are worried that the 0 Series will be priced like luxury cars, maybe around $50,000, which could turn off Honda’s regular customers who want cheap electric cars. Some people wonder if the ASIMO OS and charging capabilities (which might only be able to handle 150 kW, like the Sony-Honda Afeela) will be as good as what other companies offer.
Honda’s careful approach to Level 3 autonomy, which was first limited to low-speed highway situations, may also come under fire, especially since competitors like Mercedes-Benz and Tesla are pushing for more advanced autonomous features. But Honda’s partnership with Helm.ai and its focus on over-the-air updates show that the company is committed to improving the system after it comes out.
The Road Ahead
The Honda 0 Series is a big step forward for a company that is known for making reliable, useful cars. The 0 Saloon and 0 SUV want to change the way people move around by combining eye-catching design, cutting-edge AI, and a focus on efficiency. The 0 Series is going to have a big impact. Production will start in 2026 at Honda’s Ohio EV Hub, and then it will be rolled out around the world. Honda has a history of keeping its promises, so these cars will probably be worth the wait even though we don’t yet know the exact prices, ranges, and performance specs.
Honda wants fans to stay up to date on the future of driving through its official channels and local dealers like Burns Honda or Honda of Downtown Los Angeles. Honda says that the 0 Series is more than just a car; it’s a step toward a smarter, more sustainable, and exciting future. Are you ready to drive from the start?
