The e:NP1 is the first EV model from GAC Honda's new electric brand, e:NP, and offers two CLTC range options, 420 km and 510 km.

(Image credit: GAC Honda)

The e:NP1, the first electric vehicle (EV) from Honda's joint venture with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), has been officially launched in China, following the launch of a similar model two months ago by the Japanese automaker's other joint venture in China.

The GAC Honda e:NP1 offers two CLTC range options of 420 kilometers and 510 kilometers, with each offing two versions, priced at RMB 175,000 ($26,145), 189,000, 205,000 and 218,000 yuan after subsidies, according to information announced by the company on Monday.

GAC Honda unveiled its new electric brand, e:NP, on March 29. The e:NP1 is the brand's first EV model designed to connect the present with the future with a focus on driving and riding experience, the company said.

The model is based on the "e:N Architecture F" all-electric vehicle architecture and has a three-in-one motor with two motors that produce a maximum power of 150 kW and 134 kW, respectively, GAC Honda said.

GAC Honda offers a 3-year or 120,000 km warranty for the e:NP1 and an 8-year or 150,000 km warranty for its motor, battery and electric control system.

Consumers also get 5 years of free OTA upgrades, a free charging pile, twice yearly basic maintenance and free unlimited roadside assistance.

GAC Honda did not introduce much for the model, though Honda has provided many details when it announced its electrification strategy in China last October.

The "e:N" series is an all-electric vehicle built for Chinese consumers with a Chinese team at the center, and will be exported to overseas markets in the future, Honda previously said.

The e:N Architecture offers two different drive styles, "e:N Architecture F" and "e:N Architecture W." The former is a front-wheel-drive architecture, mainly for mid-size and small models, while the latter includes both AWD and RWD versions, which will be available on mid-size and large models.

On April 27, Dongfeng Honda's e:NS1 was officially launched in China, becoming Honda's first pure electric vehicle model in China, with the same starting price of RMB 175,000.

In addition to announcing the launch of the e:NP1, GAC Honda also reiterated yesterday that construction of its new plant in Guangzhou is moving forward, with production scheduled for 2024.

The plant will cover an area of 400,000 square meters and will have an annual capacity of 120,000 units when completed in 2024, with a total investment of RMB 3.49 billion.

(A rendering of GAC Honda's new electric vehicle plant.)

It is worth noting that information released by Guangzhou Public Resources Trading Center at the end of August last year showed that the GAC Honda NEV capacity expansion project was scheduled to start construction in October 2021 and be completed in 2024.

GAC Honda has not announced the progress of the plant in the past few months.