Honda Built an Electric Toaster That Can Power Your House. I'm In.
Image Credit: Honda.
For quite a while now, we've been told the electric future is one of silent, warp-speed acceleration and gigantic, planet-sized SUVs that weigh more than a medium-sized moon. Automakers have been locked in a horsepower war, cramming ever-larger batteries and more powerful motors into cars to give us performance figures that are simply useless outside of a drag strip.
And then, just when I was about to fall into a deep, cynical slumber, Honda waltzes in with this thing. It's called the N-One e:, and it's the most sensible, charming, and downright desirable electric car I've seen in a decade. Seriously, I mean it.
Image Credit: Honda.
It is, for all intents and purposes, an electric box. A very small electric box. Debuting in Japan, this little tyke is a "kei car," a special class of micro-vehicles that get tax and insurance breaks for being pint-sized. To qualify, it has to be less than 133.9 inches long, which means you could probably park it in the cargo bed of a Ford F-150.
Its face looks like a friendly, slightly surprised robot, and its slab sides and tiny wheels give it the posture of a determined little appliance. It's not trying to be a sports car or a luxury lounge; it's just trying to be a car, and it's brilliant for it.
Image Credit: Honda.
Let's talk about power, or rather the meditative absence of it. The Honda N-One e: is propelled by a single electric motor producing 63 horsepower. Really. That's 100% not a typo. Sixty-three. That's less power than some high-end ride-on lawnmowers. In a world of 1,000-horsepower electric hyper-sedans, this is the automotive equivalent of bringing a polite conversation to a shouting match.
And you know what? I love it. This isn't a car for setting lap records; it's a car for zipping through congested city streets, finding parking spots that don't technically exist, and generally winning at urban life. Is it tight inside? You bet it is. Taking passengers for a ride will mean getting way past the personal bubble limit - a perfect excuse to get to know your friends better.
Image Credit: Honda.
Of course, the first question anyone asks about an EV is, "How far does it go?" Honda says the N-One e: will manage over 150 miles on a single charge. Before you scoff, think about it. This is a city car. How many people are driving more than 150 miles across town in a single day?
The range is perfectly adequate for its mission. When you do run low, it accepts 50 kW DC fast charging, which can juice up the (admittedly small) battery in about 30 minutes. That's just enough time for a stroll through South Coast Plaza, have a cup of coffee and go back to your fully-charged toaster on wheels.
Image Credit: Honda.
But here is where this little electric appliance on wheels delivers its knockout punch. It has a feature that makes almost every other EV look a bit silly and self-absorbed: Vehicle-to-Load, or V2L. With the help of a special adapter that Honda will be delighted to sell you, the N-One e: can become a rolling power station.
Your power goes out during a storm? No problem. Just plug your house into your car. Seriously. It can power essential home appliances, keeping your lights on and your refrigerator cold. Sure, it won't last a whole week, but it'll keep the lights on overnight, and if you have solar panels on the roof - you can recharge the little Honda in a jiffy and for free.
Image Credit: Honda.
The possibilities here are far more exciting than going from 0 to 60 in three seconds. You could take it camping and power an electric grill and a string of lights. You could be the hero of the tailgate party, powering a television and a blender for margaritas.
Think about it - you're not just buying a car. You're buying a backup generator that happens to be adorable and easy to park. A generator that can take you shopping, and drop the kids off to school. This is genuinely useful technology that moves the EV conversation beyond simple transportation.
Image Credit: Honda.
Step inside, and the theme of delightful common sense continues. The dashboard isn't dominated by a screen the size of a cinema's. Instead, you get a modest central display with physical buttons and a rotary volume dial! It's a miracle! Buttons you can actually feel clicking every time you press them - revolution!
Designers have finally remembered that our fingers exist and that stabbing at a greasy screen while driving is a terrible idea. There's a clever shelf under the screen to plop your phone, right next to a charging port. It's simple, intuitive, and built for real life.
Image Credit: Honda.
Thankfully, practicality is Honda's middle name. The rear seats fold down perfectly flat in a 50:50 split, turning this tiny EV into a surprisingly spacious little van. It's a masterclass in packaging, proving that you don't need a full-size pickup truck to haul a bit of shopping or some flat-pack furniture.
It even has a simple button for one-pedal driving, which is perfect for the stop-and-go ballet of city traffic. And because the Japanese have a wonderful sense of humor, Honda's accessory catalog offers a few bits of flair. You can get a dash-top LED indicator that shows you the battery's state of charge, which is a neat retro-futuristic touch. But the best is the kit that includes twin "Shelby-style" racing stripes running from front to back. Yes, on your 63-horsepower electric box.
Image Credit: Honda.
Unfortunately, I must deliver the inevitable, soul-crushing news. The part of the story where I build you up only to let you down. As of right now, Honda has absolutely no plans to bring the N-One e: to the United States. It will launch in Japan this fall and likely scurry over to Europe, but we Americans, with our wide-open roads and obsession with size, are being left out.
And that, I think, is a crying shame. This is the kind of clever, innovative, and genuinely useful electric car that could change people's minds. It's not a statement of wealth or a toy for the fast lane; it's a tool for a better, smarter way of living. And it can make you a margarita. What more could you possibly want?
