Acura Postpones EV-Exclusive Future, Explores Addition of Hybrids | Carscoops

      Honda presently provides hybrid variants of the Accord, CR-V, and Civic.

      7 hours ago

      by Brad Anderson

      Acura initially aimed for 60 percent of its sales to come from electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030.

      The sales vice president has confirmed that the brand is adaptable with its EV objectives.

      Honda may eventually share its hybrid technology with Acura's premium lineup.

      Acura is still keen on transitioning to an all-electric lineup in the future, but the path toward that goal appears to be more challenging than anticipated. The company is now recognizing that it may need to launch hybrid models before fully committing to an EV-exclusive selection. This change mirrors a larger trend in the industry, where hybrids are viewed as a necessary intermediary between conventional combustion vehicles and the anticipated electric future.

      The Japanese car manufacturer originally estimated that by 2030, 60% of its total sales would be composed of EVs. However, in a recent interview, Mike Langel, Acura’s assistant vice president of national sales, admitted that the company’s strategies are becoming more adaptable. This change is likely due to the slower-than-expected transition to EVs.

      Read: Acura Turned The RSX Into An Electric SUV

      “Our long-term goal remains to sell only electric vehicles, but we are flexible regarding the path to get there,” Langel stated in an interview with Auto News. “It could certainly be a winding journey, but the ultimate goal remains unchanged. There’s still a substantial market, and we’re introducing more models, but I wouldn’t commit to a specific number [of EVs by 2030]—we’re adaptable in that regard.”

      Honda’s $300 Million Investment in EVs and Hybrids

      Acura’s parent company, Honda, is aware that the transition to EVs may encounter challenges. The company recently increased its investment by an additional $300 million at an EV Hub in Ohio, where it plans to manufacture both internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid models alongside new electric vehicles.

      While Acura has yet to confirm upcoming hybrids, analyst Sam Fiorani from AutoForecast Solutions has indicated to Auto News that “an Acura hybrid is definitely on the way.” He noted that the market is “not evolving quickly enough for Acura to transition to all-electric as rapidly as planned, and they’ll need to rely on hybrids.”

      Fiorani also suggested that Honda might be reconsidering its entire powertrain strategy, mentioning the RDX, which was anticipated to be discontinued by 2026. However, he believes there remains a market for the model, suggesting it could coexist with a similarly sized EV “for years to come.”

      Past Acura Hybrids

      This would not mark Acura's first venture into hybrids. Previously, it offered hybrid models of the MDX and RLX, though they are no longer available. Additionally, there was the hybrid Acura NSX, which was marketed as a Honda in some regions. In contrast, Honda currently has multiple hybrids in its lineup, including the Accord, CR-V, and Civic. The forthcoming Prelude will also be available exclusively as a hybrid.

      For now, Langel states that Acura continues to concentrate on the electric ZDX launched in collaboration with GM and its Ultium platform. The brand has also recently revived the RSX nameplate for a compact electric crossover expected to enter production later this year. Additionally, Acura has introduced its new ADX crossover, which comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine.