Honda shares how its e:HEV system works

Updated Dec 29, 2023 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

It is touted to provide efficiency without the need for complexity.

With Honda Cars Philippines already selling hybrids like the CR-V e:HEV in the local market, the brand provided a thorough breakdown of how its in-house developed electrified powertrain works. 

The Honda e:HEV

The Honda e:HEV

As per Honda, the e:HEV system is comprised of a main internal combustion (ICE) component and two electric motors. One motor functions as a traction motor which drives the vehicle’s wheels in certain scenarios and generates power during deceleration. The other is a generator motor which converts the ICE motor’s output into electricity. 

The traction motor activates automatically by switching between three modes. First is the full EV drive mode wherein only the traction electric motor propels the car, a hybrid drive mode where the ICE component works together with the traction motor, and an ICE-only mode. 

By using these three modes, the e:HEV is said to gain an increase in efficiency. The EV-only mode is useful for stop-and-go traffic. In this mode, the car essentially runs like a fully electric car since the fossil fuel engine is turned off. The opposite of this is the engine-only mode where the electric motors take a break, while the fossil fuel engine does all the work. This, in turn, is used for high-speed cruising on the highway. 

A picture of the e:HEV mode

The e:HEV's hybrid drive mode

The hybrid mode meanwhile, is touted to be great for linear acceleration. Honda says that this mode achieves this by balancing acceleration Gs to the driver’s inputs and engine RPMs. 

As mentioned, a Honda vehicle equipped with e:HEV actively goes through these modes depending on the driving situation. The result is a powertrain that’s optimized for environmentally friendlyness but is also efficient and fun to drive. 

It is likewise hailed as a simple mechanism that reduces the impact of power loss via friction. Contrast that to single motor hybrid system which needs complicated engineering solutions to mix battery and engine power. 

While all that sounds nifty, the e:HEV is only available in the Philippines via the latest iteration of the Honda CR-V as its top-spec model. At the moment, the CR-V RS e:HEV e-CVT is priced at Php 2,590,000. 

The Philippine-spec CR-V RS e:HEV

The Philippine-spec CR-V RS e:HEV

 In other parts of the world though, other e:HEV Honda vehicles include the Civic e:HEV, the Accord e:HEV, the City e:HEV, and the HR-V e:HEV, among others. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll get to see at least some of these hybrids on Philippine shores as well. 

For more car news and automotive industry updates, keep it here on Philkotse

Know more about Honda CR-V 2024

Honda CR-V

The 2024 Honda CR-V is a midsize crossover SUV. For the Philippine market, it has three variants: the V Turbo CVT, VX Turbo CVT, and the RS e:HEV (hybrid) e-CVT. 

The latest version of this Honda model has two different engine options. For the top-spec hybrid trim, it uses a 2.0-liter gasoline four-banger paired with a dual motor and lithium-ion battery. The combustion component alone produces up to 145 horsepower and 183 Nm of torque. The electric-powered component meanwhile, can churn out 181 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque. 

Aboard the V and VX trims meanwhile is a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine that can churn out 187 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque. 

Only the VX gets all-wheel-drive, while the rest are front-wheel-drive. All trims then use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but the one on the hybrid trim is an electronic CVT (e-CVT). 

In terms of dimensions, the all-new CR-V is 4,691mm long, 1,866mm wide, and 1,681mm (1,691mm for VX) in height. Both the hybrid and the V’s wheelbase then spans 2,701mm (2,700mm for VX). 

Locally, the Honda CR-V competes against the likes of the Mazda CX-9, Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Peugeot 5008, etc. 
 

₱ 2,100,000 - ₱ 2,590,000

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