Honda Say ICE Vehicles Will Exist Beyond 2040

While some automakers have been quick to dismiss ICE vehicles as viable components of their futures, some brands like Honda have been outspoken in their commitment to keeping the internal combustion engine alive. Where some companies claim their lineups will be rid of gasoline engines by 2040, Honda says they have no plans to completely abandon them before then. Now, that’s not to say the Japanese automaker isn’t preparing to reduce its carbon footprint, in fact quite the opposite. Their latest plan to invest at least $40 billion to push hybrid and EV sales to 40 percent of its sales mix by the end of this decade is a solid first step. With only one electric vehicle on the way so far (the Prologue) and three hybrids currently in the lineup (including the upcoming Civic Hybrid), they have a lot to accomplish in that time.

Honda is also going to continue development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology. They just announced a hydrogen variant of the CR-V is coming to America soon. On the Acura side, one electric vehicle has been confirmed and will be revealed later this year (the ZDX), but nothing hydrogen-related has been hinted at for that brand. The Prologue is based on GM’s Ultium platform, but Honda is also prepared to launch EVs on its own proprietary electric architecture some time after that. Performance cars, trucks and heavy-duty vehicles will, however, be the most likely candidates to carry on the ICE torch when that time comes.

More on Honda’s latest stance on the future of ICE vehicles here.