GM and Honda collaborate to produce affordable EVs from 2027

General Motors and Honda are expanding their collaboration to include a line of affordable EVs for North America that will cover the automakers' most popular vehicle segments.

These vehicles, which are set to go on sale in 2027, will be based on "a new global architecture using next-generation Ultium battery technology," according to a press release from GM and Honda.

According to the release, the two automakers intend to build "millions" of EVs based on this architecture across multiple segments, including a compact crossover.

GM and Honda will also discuss battery-tech collaborations to reduce costs, improve performance, and increase sustainability. Both companies are working on new battery technology independently.

GM stated that it is experimenting with lithium-metal, silicon, and solid-state cells, as well as more flexible manufacturing methods. Honda stated that it has established a demonstration line for solid-state cells in Japan and is working toward mass production. The automaker previously stated that solid-state cells would be available in production vehicles later this decade.

Since 2013, when they began collaborating on hydrogen fuel-cell technology, the two automakers have been working together. In 2018, an agreement to collaborate on next-generation batteries was reached, and Honda agreed to purchase battery modules from GM.

They announced a collaboration on development and supply-chain costs for fuel cell, battery-electric, and internal-combustion vehicles in 2020.

Honda will also use GM's Ultium technology, culminating in two North American-built EVs that will go on sale in 2024, as well as a version of GM's Super Cruise driver-assistance system.

General Motors Ultium Battery

The Honda Prologue will be the first of the two codeveloped EVs for 2024, and it will be followed shortly after by an Acura EV. According to a previous report, Honda is aiming for 70,000 annual U.S. sales for the Prologue, which will be the automaker's first U.S.-market EV since the Clarity Electric was discontinued after the 2019 model year.