Honda has always had a knack for showing us what the future looks like, and doing so quietly, without fuss. From the Super Cub that mobilized post-war Japan to the Civic that became a global staple, the brand’s greatest strength has always been building vehicles that just make sense. And now, with the CUV e:, Honda is stepping into the electric urban mobility space with that same sense of purpose.
Just launched in the UK and Europe, the CUV e: might look like a slick, modern scooter—and it is—but it’s also a bit of a legacy piece. Back in 1994, Honda released its first-ever electric two-wheeler in Japan under the same name: Clean Urban Vehicle.
Now, 30 years later, they’ve revived the name for a new generation that’s facing very different challenges, like congested cities and climate change.
So what is it, really? On paper, it’s a light electric scooter with up to 72km (around 45 miles) of range, a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour (50 miles per hour), and peak output of 6kW—roughly 8 horsepower and about 4.4 lb-ft of torque. It runs on two swappable batteries that fully charge in about six hours (the same batteries Honda’s been using to power all sorts of things in Japan). And the whole thing weighs just 120kg (about 265 pounds), making it super easy to handle, even for new riders.
But the numbers aren’t the story here.
What makes the CUV e: special is how effortlessly it blends into your life. There’s a step-through flat floor, which makes hopping on and off a breeze. The reverse assist feature? Genuinely helpful when you’re trying to back out of a tight underground parking space. And the full LED lighting, smart key, and USB-C port are small things that make everyday riding feel premium.
Then there’s the tech. Sitting front and center is a gorgeous 7-inch TFT screen (with a 5-inch option if you want to keep things simple), hooked up to Honda’s new RoadSync Duo app. You get full-screen navigation, calls, music, EV route planning, live weather, and even anti-theft alerts with real-time tracking. And it all works without pulling your attention away from the ride.
It’s easy to look at the CUV e: and think “just another EV scooter,” but there’s something more going on here. Honda is actually thinking about how people live and move through the world. The CUV e: isn’t a toy or a showpiece. It’s a tool. A very smart, very stylish tool built for a world that’s only getting busier, hotter, and harder to navigate.
For you and me, that means more than just a new way to get around. It means less time stuck in traffic, less noise, less pollution, and one less reason to use a car when you don’t have to. And in that sense, the CUV e: isn’t just Honda’s next step, but rather, a reminder that the future of mobility can still be simple, clean, and accessible.
Source: Honda
