TOKYO – Honda Motor Co. (Honda) has affirmed its commitment to achieving 100 percent battery electric vehicle sales by 2040, amid speculation that the automaker might weaken its target.
In response, Greenpeace East Asia climate and energy campaigner Mariko Shiohata said:
“Honda’s decision to maintain its global target of 100 percent battery electric vehicle sales by 2040 sends a signal that the automaker is committed to maintaining the status quo – but amid a climate emergency, the status quo is not enough. Honda’s 2040 target fails to reflect the gravity of the climate crisis or trends in global auto sales.
It’s no secret that legacy automakers are falling behind in today’s race to electrification. Around the world, Chinese EV-makers like BYD are dramatically increasing their market share as demand for EVs increases.[1] In China, Honda has recently shuttered much of its combustion engine vehicle manufacturing capacity, a sign of what is to come.[2] We hope to see Honda move forward its electrification target and demonstrate clear progress toward its electrification goal each year.
In Japan, Honda has embraced electrification faster than its domestic peers Toyota, Nissan and Suzuki, sending a positive sign to the industry.[3] Honda has an opportunity to further strengthen its target and reshape the playing field for Japan’s automakers, but the automaker must increase its ambition.”
END
Notes
[1]https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/byd-aims-sell-half-its-cars-outside-china-by-2030-sources-say-2025-05-08/
[2]https://www.carscoops.com/2025/03/honda-sales-plummet-in-china-forcing-it-to-cut-ice-engine-production/
[3]https://www.greenpeace.org/eastasia/press/8224/suzuki-great-wall-motor-and-toyota-receive-lowest-scores-in-annual-greenpeace-auto-ranking/
Media Contacts
Erin Newport, International Communications Officer, Greenpeace East Asia +886 958 026 791, [email protected]
Natalia Emi Hirai, Communications Manager, Greenpeace Japan +8180 6558 4446, [email protected]
