Why the Honda e Should (but Won't) Come to the U.S.

From Car and Driver

• The Honda e made its debut in Europe this week, but this scrappy little city car is not destined to come to the United States.

• The base model of the new electric car has about 137 miles of range on the European cycle.

• It's a rear-wheel-drive car with 50:50 weight distribution, a low center of gravity, and a "loungelike" interior, so what's not to like, America?

This week, the Honda e has been making news as it makes its European debut. The overall gist is that the cute-as-a-button EV is fun to drive, wonderfully designed, full of cool and weird tech, although it's pricey for the amount of range you get. It's what I expected to learn about the tiny piece of nostalgia that I want in my garage. No wait, I need in my garage.

I'm smitten with this vehicle. It’s hard to look at the Honda e and not feel like it brings back a bit of the whimsy that Honda has lost in the past few decades. Recently the automaker has been working toward bringing us cars that don't look like beige bricks on wheels. For example, I really like the Civic Type R, but it also looks like it's going to shank you in a back alley if you don't give up your lunch money. The Honda e is inviting—a cuddly companion that says, "Hey, friend, let's go pick up some tacos and ice cream and head to the beach to stare at waves. Maybe we'll see some dolphins!"

Even if we don't see mammals frolicking in the sea, the Honda e's dual-screen infotainment system has the Aquarium mode shown in the tweet above. Does it make sense? No. Do I want to stare at digital fish while recharging my car? Yes.

For Europeans, this friendly EV is a reality. For the U.S., not so much. "The Honda e will not be coming to the United States" is what Honda has said again and again. The company has made that very clear both in its launch messaging and in reply to numerous emails, phone calls, and in-person grillings.

I sort of get it. traditional small cars don't sell here. The Honda Fit's sales numbers are dwarfed by those of the CR-V. But the Fit is not the Honda e. The little EV is something new and different, and its size might be its advantage. In a world of large SUVs, there’s always a group looking for something different.