The Honda e is a small, retro-inspired electric hatchback sold in the UK from 2020 until production ceased in January 2024. Its original price was roughly £30,000 new; used ones now ask £13,000–£16,000. It remains one of the best-loved small EVs, but also among the shortest-ranging. We explain both versions, range, owner-reported charging quirks, warranty cover and prices to pay. You will find a print-out checklist at the end.
- Who it suits: town use and short commutes with home charging available. It makes an excellent second car.
- Who should think twice: drivers making regular motorway journeys; owners describe approximately 100 miles in mild conditions.
- What to buy: almost all used examples are Advances, with a 2021 car advertised around £14,500.
- Battery cover: 8 years from first registration, leaving every car with some cover.
Which Honda e are you looking at?
There was a single body and battery: 35.5 kWh, powering the rear wheels. Two versions:
- Honda e: 136 PS (100 kW).
- Honda e Advance: 154 PS (113 kW) with 17-inch wheels. Almost every advertised used example is an Advance.
At launch they cost £29,660 and £32,160 before the £3,500 government grant available then, with initial deliveries in summer 2020. Both feature camera door mirrors, screens spanning the dashboard and four seats. Official range is 138 miles. Complete specifications are on the Honda e page.
Realistic range
Our estimate for a typical car, from the same battery-ageing model as the rest of EVcarsguide:
| Car | Summer | Year-round | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Honda e | 103 miles | 91 miles | 76 miles |
| 2022 Honda e | 107 miles | 94 miles | 80 miles |
These align with owner reports of around 100–120 miles in mild weather, 80–90 during winter and as little as 60 on a cold motorway journey. The Honda e is heavy relative to its battery, with owners recording roughly 3.3–3.7 miles per kWh. Using heated seats and the steering wheel rather than the cabin heater preserves winter range.
Battery Health Estimator
Estimated condition if buying used
NMC chemistry - good longevity with proper charging habits
Estimates based on battery chemistry and age. Chemistry-based estimate. Actual health varies with charging habits, climate, and usage.
Charging
The charging socket sits in the bonnet. Home charging is supported at up to 6.6 kW. On a rapid charger, the battery fills to 80% in roughly 30 minutes. Owners report a peak of around 50 kW, falling beyond 80%, meaning a stop every 45–50 miles of motorway driving on longer journeys.
Two owners on the forums report the car’s charge control unit failing after using a Tesla V3 Supercharger, fixed under warranty, and others report charging “red light” faults that a software update cured. Ask whether the charging software is up to date, and stick to ordinary rapid chargers.
The battery
The battery uses liquid cooling, and Honda covers it for 8 years or 100,000 miles from first registration:
- Registered 2020: battery covered to 2028, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2021: battery covered to 2029, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2022: battery covered to 2030, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
- Registered 2023: battery covered to 2031, or 100,000 miles if sooner.
What owners report
Owners praise the design, the ride and the way it drives around town: rear-wheel drive, a tiny turning circle, brisk acceleration and one-pedal driving that works effectively in traffic. Apart from range and charging, they mention:
- Practicality: a very small boot and restricted rear legroom.
- Software: an underwhelming phone app, plus collision warnings that some drivers consider over-eager in slow traffic.
- Faults (a minority): pop-out handles sticking in cold or dirty conditions, failed 12V batteries and, for a few owners, costly brake-servo repairs. Check the handles and the brake pedal on the test drive.
Recall
R/2021/038: 785 cars produced from August 2019 to November 2020, with a non-displaying seat-belt reminder resolved through a software update. Check the car using GOV.UK’s recall checker.
Safety
Euro NCAP awarded the Honda e 4 stars in 2020.
What to pay
Nearly all advertised Honda e examples are higher-powered Advances. The table therefore divides them by registration year alone.
| Cars | Share of adverts | Median asking | Typical range | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance, 2020 | 15% | £12,932 | £11,790–£13,975 | 30,352 |
| Advance, 2021 | 38% | £14,490 | £12,926–£15,436 | 21,128 |
| Advance, 2022 | 26% | £16,075 | £14,483–£17,541 | 18,928 |
Treat these as asking prices rather than valuations. The scarce 2023 and 2024 examples ask £17,000–£19,000. Mileage tends to be low for the age, consistent with predominantly town use.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the charging software been updated, and has it ever shown a charging fault?
- Has it been charged at Tesla Superchargers?
- Have the door handles, 12V battery or brake servo been replaced?
- Is the Honda service history complete?
The print-out checklist
Bring this to your viewing for Honda e-specific checks. Our general used EV buyer’s guide covers the checks relevant to every used electric car.
Alternatives worth a look
- MINI Electric: a similarly sized premium small EV. See our used MINI Electric guide.
- BMW i3: another characterful town car offering rear-wheel drive. See our used i3 guide.
- Renault Zoe ZE 50: considerably more range for your money. See our used Zoe guide.
- Fiat 500e: compact and stylish, offering a bigger battery option. See our used 500e guide.
Unsure whether it meets your driving needs? The EV Matchmaker matches the car against your own week, while the Used EV Finder shows the alternatives available within your budget.
Sources & further reading
- Honda UK
- GOV.UK – Check if a vehicle has been recalled
Founder of EVcarsguide. Web technologist and data specialist tracking the UK EV market.
