Honda Unveils Groundbreaking Honda 0 Series: A New Era in EV Design and Technology

At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Honda made a monumental leap into the electric vehicle (EV) future by unveiling its revolutionary Honda 0 Series. This lineup, symbolizing a new beginning, includes two prototypes: the Honda 0 SUV and the Honda 0 Saloon. These vehicles, expected to hit the North American market in 2026 before a global rollout, not only represent cutting-edge design and performance but also showcase Honda’s commitment to sustainable mobility and a seamless digital driving experience.

From innovative architecture to advanced artificial intelligence, Honda’s 0 Series promises to set a new benchmark in EV manufacturing, blending sleek aesthetics with intelligent systems. Below, we dive into the key aspects of the Honda 0 Series, exploring its unique design, futuristic operating system, advanced driving technologies, and sustainable energy initiatives.

Honda 0 SUV Prototype: A Bold Step Forward

The Honda 0 SUV is a mid-size electric vehicle that highlights Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” design philosophy, emphasizing minimalistic aesthetics and cutting-edge functionality. Developed on a dedicated EV platform, the SUV builds on the Space-Hub concept, which was first introduced at CES 2024, offering unparalleled cabin spaciousness, flexibility, and visibility.

Key Highlights:

Design: The SUV’s futuristic yet practical design is optimized for spacious interiors, blending functionality with premium aesthetics. This “ever-advancing” space is enhanced by digital user experience (UX) features made possible by Honda’s new ASIMO OS.
Technology: The SUV is equipped with a steer-by-wire system that integrates steering, suspension, and braking into a seamless control system, delivering precision handling.
Production Plans: The Honda 0 SUV will be built at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, with production models slated for North American launch in 2026, followed by Europe and Japan.

Honda 0 Saloon Prototype: The Future of Luxury Mobility

The Honda 0 Saloon serves as the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series, embodying the brand’s vision for premium electric sedans. With its low-profile, wedge-shaped design, the Saloon strikes a balance between sporty elegance and futuristic innovation. Despite its compact exterior, the Saloon boasts an unexpectedly spacious and luxurious cabin.

Key Features:

Sophisticated Styling: The prototype retains the bold design language of earlier concepts, with a low-slung silhouette and a sleek, aerodynamic shape that sets it apart in the competitive EV market.
Advanced Technology: Like the SUV, the Saloon incorporates ASIMO OS for “ultra-personal optimization,” enabling tailored experiences for each driver. It also features Honda’s Level 3 automated driving technology, allowing for hands-free driving in specific conditions.
Launch Plans: The production version of the Saloon will debut in late 2026, first in North America, before expanding to global markets.

ASIMO Operating System: Bringing Intelligence to EVs

The Honda 0 Series introduces the ASIMO OS, a revolutionary vehicle operating system named after Honda’s iconic humanoid robot, ASIMO. This operating system integrates technologies from Honda’s decades-long research into robotics and artificial intelligence, transforming the vehicles into Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).

What Makes ASIMO OS Unique?

Advanced Intelligence: The ASIMO OS utilizes integrated management of electronic control units (ECUs) to oversee systems like automated driving, infotainment, and driver assistance.
Personalization: The system enables “ultra-personal optimization,” continuously adapting to individual driver preferences through over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Dynamic Evolution: Post-purchase OTA updates ensure that the vehicles remain technologically advanced, offering improved user experiences, enhanced handling, and updated features.

Automated Driving Technologies: A Safer Road Ahead

Honda’s history of innovation in autonomous driving continues with the Honda 0 Series, which incorporates Level 3 automated driving capabilities. First introduced in the Honda Legend in 2021, this technology allows vehicles to take full control under specific conditions, enabling drivers to perform secondary tasks like watching a movie or participating in remote meetings.

Advancements in Safety and Autonomy:

AI Integration: Honda combines unsupervised learning technology with behavior models from experienced drivers, enabling quick and efficient adaptation to diverse driving scenarios.
Precision Driving: Cooperative AI ensures smooth interactions with pedestrians, animals, and other vehicles on the road, improving overall safety and comfort.
Continuous Updates: The expansion of Level 3 functionalities will begin with highway traffic congestion scenarios, progressively rolling out to all driving situations.

Sustainable Energy Services: More Than Just Mobility

Beyond the vehicles themselves, Honda is revolutionizing how EVs interact with energy systems. Through its Home Energy Management System and partnerships with industry leaders, Honda aims to make EV ownership more convenient and environmentally friendly.

Key Initiatives:

Charging Network Expansion: Honda, in collaboration with eight automakers, has launched IONNA, a charging network that aims to establish 30,000 high-quality charging stations in North America by 2030. Honda 0 Series vehicles will adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS), ensuring access to over 100,000 stations.
Smart Energy Management: Honda’s Smart Charge service, combined with Amazon Web Services (AWS) technologies, provides personalized charging plans. This allows vehicles to optimize charging times for lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Capability: Honda 0 Series vehicles can function as virtual power plants, supplying electricity back to the grid during peak times, stabilizing energy supply, and offering owners potential income opportunities.

Collaborative Innovation: Developing High-Performance SoC

To further enhance the Honda 0 Series, Honda has partnered with Renesas Electronics Corporation to develop a next-generation System-on-Chip (SoC). This SoC will centralize control of vehicle systems, significantly improving processing performance while minimizing power consumption.

Features of the New SoC:

High Efficiency: Delivers AI performance of up to 2,000 TOPS with industry-leading power efficiency.
AI Optimization: Combines Renesas’ fifth-generation technology with Honda’s proprietary AI software for exceptional driver assistance and infotainment capabilities.

The Road Ahead: Honda’s Vision for 0 Series

The Honda 0 Series represents more than just a new lineup of EVs—it embodies Honda’s commitment to a sustainable, intelligent, and joyful mobility future. From cutting-edge design and autonomous driving technologies to innovative energy management systems, Honda is redefining what it means to own and operate an electric vehicle.

By integrating advanced software, robust safety systems, and a user-centric approach, the Honda 0 Series is set to inspire a new generation of drivers while addressing the environmental challenges of today. As the first models roll out in 2026, the automotive world will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Honda’s bold vision transforms the EV landscape.