Honda is finally ready to deliver a fully electric vehicle that can drive itself, avoid obstacles, and work for hours without human supervision. There is only one small catch: it is a lawnmower.
The Japanese manufacturer has launched its new ProZision range of battery-powered commercial mowing machines in the United States. Alongside two conventional ride-on versions, Honda is preparing a fully autonomous model that can follow a recorded route while its operator gets on with another job.
It is an impressive glimpse of Honda’s electric and autonomous future, although probably not the one European motorists had in mind.
Professional landscapers
Honda is already a substantial player in the business. Its power-products division sells more than 3.5 million machines and engines worldwide each year.
Its French factory builds all Honda walk-behind lawnmowers sold in Europe. The company does not publish mower-specific market shares, but it is generally positioned as a premium specialist brand rather than a volume leader, including in Belgium.
The commercial zero-turn mowers are built at Honda’s factory in Swepsonville, North Carolina, and are aimed at professional landscapers, municipalities, sports facilities, and other users with very large grassy areas.
They are powered by six lithium-ion battery modules and five 48-volt electric motors. Depending on conditions, Honda claims it can mow between 5.3 and 6.1 hectares on one charge. Recharging takes around 6.5 hours using a 240-volt connection.
The autonomous version can first be driven around a site by an operator to record the desired route. It can then repeat that mowing pattern independently, using satellite positioning, radar, and LiDAR to navigate and detect obstacles around the machine.
Honda says the technology could help commercial gardening companies cope with labor shortages. Rather than sitting on the mower all day, an employee can set the machine to work and perform another task elsewhere. The manually controlled models cost $32,999 in the US. Pricing for the autonomous version has not yet been confirmed.
Honda is therefore not giving up on expensive electric and autonomous vehicles entirely. It is simply starting in a part of the mobility market where batteries already offer a clearer business case. For Honda’s European car customers, the contrast is striking.
Niche player in Europe
The brand’s European registrations are recovering, but it remains a niche player with a market share of around 0.5%. Its growth is being driven mainly by hybrid models such as the Jazz, Civic, HR-V, ZR-V, and CR-V.
Its position in battery-electric cars is far less convincing. The e:Ny1 electric SUV failed to gain much traction, partly because of its relatively high price and limited 50 kW fast-charging capability. In several European markets, it has already disappeared from Honda’s main configurators or survives mainly as dealer stock.
The small Super-N electric city car is heading to the UK, but no broad launch for continental Europe has been announced. Meanwhile, Honda’s ambitious 0 Series electric program has been scaled back sharply as the company shifts investment towards hybrids and more profitable products.
No BEV offensive
That leaves Honda in an awkward position. Europe’s battery-electric market is expanding again, while one of the world’s largest engineering groups currently has no clearly defined mainstream BEV offensive for the continent.
Honda does still believe battery-electric vehicles have a future. It is developing electric motorcycles, commercial equipment, and urban mobility products, while continuing research into solid-state batteries and next-generation EV platforms.
For now, however, European customers looking for a fully autonomous electric Honda may have to settle for something with a cutting deck, a top speed suited to a garden path, and enough range to conquer 15 acres of grass.
