Honda walked away from nearly every electric vehicle it had planned for North America earlier this year. Billions in development costs disappeared overnight. Factories retooled for battery cars sat waiting. One model made it through the cut. That survivor is the Alpha, the compact electric SUV first shown as a concept at the Japan Mobility Show in late 2025. Production versions reach the stage on December 2 in India. Deliveries follow in early 2027. The car will never reach American dealerships. Honda decided the cost of meeting U.S. and European rules was too high for this particular project.
Alpha rides on the company’s first fully assembled electric skateboard platform. The engineers’ method, termed ‘Thin, Light, and Wise,’ entails keeping the batteries and motors low to maintain a low center of gravity and open cabin space. Early rumors indicate that the skateboard will be equipped with a single front-mounted motor and front-wheel drive from launch. It turns out there will be two lithium iron phosphate battery packs, with capacities ranging from 65 to 75 kwh. Official range targets were initially set at 650 kilometers, but real-world estimates for the larger pack are expected to be closer to 450 to 500 kilometers, according to people involved in the testing.
- POWERFUL MOTOR AND LONG BATTERY LIFE - The 350W electric brushless hub motor allows for speeds up to 18mph. High capacity battery with a Max. travel range of up to 17 miles under specific conditions. And our product has passed stringent UL 2272 testing. (Testing lab name: SGS)
- STABLE AND DURABLE FOR COMMUTING - Extremely smooth when accelerating and turning, Hiboy electric scooters have been made solid and durable quality with solid tires and whole frame.
- BEING SAFER WITH TECHNOLOGY - Hiboy E-Scooter S2 are made with front, middle and rear 3 lights. And double braking system features a disc braking and eABS regenerative anti-lock braking.
Despite the fact that development teams have spent countless hours on Indian highways, city streets, and rugged rural roads, information on charging speed remains limited. They even tested it in high heat and monsoon rain conditions as part of the program. Many people claim you can reach 80% in around 15 minutes, but it is only a rumor at this point.
The skateboard’s design has remained quite true to its initial concept. They have an illuminated Honda badge in the front, a closed-off grille, and a thin row of LED lights underneath. Squared wheel arches and flush door handles give it a boxy appearance, almost like a van. The large C-pillars and virtually vertical rear hatch provide plenty of headroom and cargo capacity on the interior. The wheelbase is slightly longer than the existing Elevate, measuring roughly 2700-2800mm. Test vehicles feature massive central touchscreens, a separate digital display, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a row of physical buttons for climate and seat controls. Level 2 driving assistance is standard.
Production begins at the Tapukara facility in Rajasthan. Honda established the plant to serve the Indian market and export to countries such as Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The price is yet unknown, although industry estimates indicate to a range of 16-25 lakh rupees, or approximately 17,000-26,000 dollars at current currency rates. They eventually get to give the creature a genuine name in November, replacing the temporary title Alpha. There are already other competitors, including the Mahindra BE-6, the Hyundai Creta Electric, the Tata Sierra EV, and the Suzuki-Toyota twins. Alpha competes against them with a distinct shape and Honda’s reputation for packing in all the excellent stuff. Will that be enough, however? We’ll see what happens when the first customer automobiles arrive next year.
