Honda made a major splash at CES 2025 in Las Vegas by presenting the world premiere of two prototype electric vehicles: the Honda 0 SUV and the Honda 0 Saloon. Representing the foundation of the upcoming Honda 0 Series, these prototypes signal a dramatic design and technological shift for the automaker. Built upon a new dedicated EV architecture, the models embody Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” development philosophy, bringing futuristic aesthetics and digital experiences to production lines starting in 2026.
Alongside the physical vehicles, Honda revealed a sophisticated suite of underlying technologies engineered to power its next generation of software-defined vehicles. From an in-house operating system bearing a legendary name to ultra-high-performance processing chips and Level 3 automated driving capabilities, Honda’s announcements showcase a comprehensive EV ecosystem. Enthusiasts have plenty to digest as these sleek models prepare to hit North American roads from the Honda EV Hub in Ohio.
1. Honda 0 SUV Prototype Debuts as the First 0 Series Model
Honda introduced the prototype for a mid-size electric crossover that serves as the first Honda 0 Series model scheduled for production. Built upon the foundation of the Space-Hub concept shown in 2024, the vehicle brings a clean, sleek appearance while maximizing interior roominess. It features a raked windshield, a low roofline, and a black front panel with pixelated headlights sitting above a chunky battery cooling vent. The design reflects Honda’s broader push toward futuristic aesthetics ahead of its 2026 production launch, setting the visual tone for everything else in the 0 Series lineup.
SUV Prototype Highlights:
- First production 0 Series model
- Based on 2024 Space-Hub concept
- Pixelated headlights above cooling vent
- Spacious, flexible interior seating
- Launches in Ohio, early 2026
Inside, the cabin yields a remarkably spacious environment with an unrestricted field of view and flexible seating arrangements. The vehicle applies Honda’s “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to SUV design, offering an “ever-advancing” digital space for occupants. Built at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, production models will launch in North America during the first half of 2026 before expanding globally, marking the true starting point of Honda’s dedicated EV era.
2. Honda 0 Saloon Prototype Leads as the Series Flagship
Positioned as the flagship model of the new series, the 0 Saloon prototype advances the wedge-shaped concept displayed a year prior. It retains a low-slung silhouette and cab-forward stance that sets it apart from traditional EVs. The updated design includes larger headlights with retracting covers alongside a front blank panel and blocky D-pillars with repeating ovoid lighting signatures at the rear, giving it a distinct road presence that separates it visually from the SUV sibling launching alongside it.
Saloon Prototype Highlights:
- Flagship of the 0 Series
- Wedge-shaped, cab-forward silhouette
- Retracting headlight covers included
- Screen-heavy digital dashboard layout
- Late 2026 North American release
Despite its low height, the cabin provides a surprisingly roomier interior than its sleek profile suggests. The dashboard features a screen-heavy layout with a digital gauge cluster, central touchscreen, passenger display, and peripheral monitors for side cameras. Scheduled for North American release in late 2026, the Saloon will showcase Honda’s top-tier automated driving tools and personalized software capabilities.
3. ASIMO OS Becomes the Software Brain of Every 0 Series Vehicle
Named in tribute to Honda’s iconic humanoid robot introduced in 2000, ASIMO OS serves as the core software platform for all Honda 0 Series models. The vehicle operating system combines Honda’s robotics expertise with advanced artificial intelligence. By managing electronic control units for driver assistance, powertrain control, and infotainment, the OS delivers a unified software foundation that ties every digital system in the vehicle together under one coherent, continuously evolving platform.
ASIMO OS Highlights:
- Named after Honda’s robot
- Unifies driving, powertrain, infotainment systems
- Learns and adapts continuously
- Delivered through over-the-air updates
- Aims to be a global icon
The system relies on over-the-air updates to continually advance functions and digital user experiences after purchase. ASIMO OS continuously adapts to individual driver preferences, ensuring that dynamic handling, space utilization, and interactive features grow richer over time. Honda aims for this platform to make its 0 Series vehicles global icons for software-defined mobility.
4. Level 3 Automated Driving Gets Smarter with Helm.ai
Honda is expanding its Level 3 automated driving capabilities across the 0 Series line using artificial intelligence developed alongside Helm.ai. The system combines unsupervised learning technology with driver behavior models to quickly master complex road situations. This setup allows the vehicle to navigate highway traffic jams while freeing drivers to perform secondary tasks like watching movies or attending meetings, effectively turning long commutes into productive or relaxing time behind the wheel.
Automated Driving Highlights:
- Built with Helm.ai’s AI models
- Handles highway traffic jam driving
- Detects hazards like road debris
- Executes natural, cooperative maneuvers
- Expands via over-the-air updates
The technology is engineered to handle unexpected hazards, such as animals or fallen road debris, with high reliability. Honda also incorporates cooperative AI research to execute natural maneuvers like yielding right-of-way. Over-the-air updates will progressively expand the operational conditions where eyes-off driving is available, striving toward zero traffic collision fatalities.
5. A New Centralized Chip Architecture Powers It All
Driving Honda’s late 2020s software-defined vehicles toward enormous compute demands Honda chose Renesas Electronics Corporation as a collaborative partner to create a system-on-chip delivering performance to support its software-defined vehicles that are expected late in the 2020s. Through that collaboration, they are creating a powerful system-on-chip that drives a centralized electrical and electronic (E/E) architecture. Instead of having many dozens of small controllers scattered around most cars today, one ECU with an individual controller will manage vehicle power, cabin comfort, and even the self-driving functions simultaneously.
Chip Architecture Highlights:
- Built with Renesas Electronics Corporation
- One ECU controls everything centrally
- Uses R-Car X5 chip series
- Adds Honda’s in-house AI accelerator
- Targets 2,000 TOPS at 20 TOPS/W
This system combines the generic fifth-generation Renesas R-Car X5 series chip with an in-house Honda AI accelerator using multi-die chiplet technology. The resulting platform targets an extraordinary AI processing performance of 2,000 TOPS while maintaining an energy efficiency rate of 20 TOPS/W. This efficiency guarantees massive processing speed without placing excessive drain on the main battery pack.
6. IONNA and NACS Tackle Range Anxiety Head-On
To combat rangexiety for the EVs of tomorrow, Honda teamed up with seven other car companies and others in the space to create IONNA. The automaker consortium has committed to developing at least 30,000 fast and quality charging sites throughout North America by 2030, and is already piloting four beta stations, in part to observe driver satisfaction. Clearly, charging availability more than the range of one car-remains the ultimate key to getting people into EVs.
Charging Network Highlights:
- IONNA alliance with 7 automakers
- 30,000+ fast chargers planned
- Four beta locations already live
- NACS ports built into all models
- 100,000+ chargers accessible by 2030
Furthermore, Honda confirmed that all 0 Series models will natively feature the North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port. Combined with the rapid expansion of the IONNA network, this adoption grants 0 Series owners hassle-free access to more than 100,000 public charging stations across North America by 2030, ensuring reliable long-distance road trips.
7. Your Home Becomes Part of the Grid with Smart Charging
Recognizing that home charging accounts for approximately 80 percent of all EV charging needs, Honda is advancing its Honda Smart Charge service in North America starting in 2026. Co-developed with Emporia Corp and integrated with ChargeScape a software joint venture formed alongside BMW and Ford the service seamlessly links Home Energy Management Systems with Vehicle Grid Integration, turning every parked 0 Series vehicle into a quiet, active participant in the broader energy grid.
Smart Energy Highlights:
- 80% of charging happens at home
- Built with Emporia and ChargeScape
- Fleet functions as virtual power plant
- Charges low, sells back high
- Uses decades of battery expertise
In Honda’s smart energy ecosystem, the aggregated Honda 0 Series vehicle fleet will act like a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), the vehicle will self-schedule charging when the price of energy from the utility grid is low, renewable energy output is strong, but be able to inject energy back to vehicle owner’s house, or to public grid during the high price period to reduce energy costs for the vehicle owner and generate revenue. Honda draws on its deep experience managing the hybrid electric vehicle’s battery for bidirectional charge cycles so that battery degradation will be minimal.
8. Robotics-Derived Steer-by-Wire Sharpens the Driving Feel
Drivers looking for engaging driving dynamics will appreciate the advanced chassis technologies engineered into the Honda 0 Series lineup. Honda implemented a steer-by-wire system that enables integrated electronic control over all by-wire hardware components, including steering, dynamic suspension, and electronic braking systems. This level of integrated control allows the car’s various chassis systems to communicate and respond together, rather than operating as isolated, independently tuned components.
Chassis Technology Highlights:
- Full steer-by-wire system control
- Covers steering, suspension, braking
- Derived from humanoid robotics research
- Uses precision 3D gyro sensors
- Balances handling with ride comfort
To complement this hardware setup, Honda adapted high-precision attitude estimation and stabilization control algorithms derived from its extensive history in humanoid robotics research. Powered by sophisticated 3D gyro sensors, the vehicle maintains precise body control and optimal tire traction across diverse road conditions, delivering dynamic handling that mirrors driver intent while maintaining smooth ride comfort.
9. AWS Generative AI Makes Charging Nearly Effortless
Honda teamed up with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to incorporate advanced cloud architecture directly into its software defined vehicle ecosystem. Utilizing Amazon Bedrock generative AI tools, the system continuously analyzes telemetry data from 0 Series vehicles alongside real-time usage data across the broader public charging infrastructure. This constant flow of data allows the system to stay responsive to real conditions on the road rather than relying on static, pre-programmed charging suggestions.
AWS Integration Highlights:
- Partnership built on Amazon Bedrock
- Analyzes real-time telemetry data
- Reads public charging network data
- Suggests optimal charging stops
- Streamlines contactless payment processing
This intelligent cloud platform delivers a highly personalized charging experience tailored to individual driving patterns and navigation routes. The generative AI technology automatically suggests optimal charging locations along planned journeys and streamlines contactless payment processing, creating a friction-free experience for every drive.
10. A Dedicated EV Architecture Built and Made in Ohio
But at a basic level, the Saloon and SUV concepts utilize Honda’s new EV-exclusive platform which also adhere’s to Honda’s ‘thin, light and wise’ design philosophy. The platform can be deployed on a two or four-wheel-drive basis, while its compact nature requires one of the two new 241-hp or 67-hp Honda electric motors and one of three lightweight electric power packs, which are all stated to deliver just north of 300 miles EPA range providing two impressive all-rounders for the two concept cars.
EV Architecture Highlights:
- Dedicated ground-up EV platform
- RWD and AWD configurations available
- 241-hp and 67-hp motor options
- Around 300 miles EPA range
- Built at Ohio’s Honda EV Hub
Production vehicles developed from both prototypes will roll out of the new Honda EV Hub in Ohio, the company said. They will reach the North American market in 2026 ahead of subsequent introductions in Japan and Europe and represent the first next-generation EVs to be assembled at a Honda production facility outside of China and Europe.
