Honda Seeks To Double Hybrid Car Sales By 2030

Honda Motor aims to double its global hybrid car sales to 1.3 million units annually by 2030, using hybrid vehicles as a transitional "bridge" until fully electric vehicles (EVs) become more widespread, Maki Shiraki and Kantaro Komiya reported for Reuters.

Honda maintains its goal of producing over 2 million EVs annually by 2030 and selling only EVs and fuel cell vehicles by 2040. I Photo: Honda European Media Newsroom 

Starting in 2026, Honda will introduce more fuel-efficient hybrid systems for compact and mid-sized models, overhauling engines, platforms, and control technologies. North America, Honda's largest market, has shown growing demand for gasoline-electric hybrids, particularly as the expansion of EVs slows.

The U.S. EV market faces challenges, including reduced government support under President-elect Donald Trump, according to Reuters.

Despite this, Honda maintains its goal of producing over 2 million EVs annually by 2030 and selling only EVs and fuel cell vehicles by 2040. However, in the near term, hybrids remain a key strategy, especially for the U.S. market.

"Hybrids will serve as a bridge until EVs become fully widespread," said Katsuto Hayashi, Honda's automobile operations chief, during a media briefing. This strategy mirrors that of rival Toyota, which has also focused on hybrids as a temporary solution while transitioning to electric mobility.