We’re pretty sure that those who have been keeping a close eye on how Honda is planning to enter the electric mobility sphere know what they see here. The Japanese firm calls it as the Honda e Prototype but it is actually a honed and more rounded version of the Urban EV Concept that was unveiled a couple of years ago. In other words, the e Prototype showcases how the production version of the small EV (electric vehicle) will look like.

No matter how you look at it, a fact remains – the design is simple. There’s nothing outlandish about it at all. Some might even call it boring, while others would appreciate the retro-ness that it brings to the table. And yet, Honda has managed to sneak in some interesting elements which inject some modern-ness to the mix. For instance, the conventional ORVMs have been replaced with cameras and the door handles pop up when you need them. That little hump on the bonnet is made of tinted-glass and hides the charging port. Dual-tone alloy wheels and LED-powered headlamps and taillamps go well with the simple silhouette.

Inside the cabin, everything from the upright dashboard and the two-spoke steering wheel to melange-style sofa fabric on the seats and faux wood inserts helps make the aura old-school as well. The Honda e Prototype also features a flat floor which is always a welcome addition. However, like the exterior, there is a lot of modern gadgetry for passengers and drivers to make use of. The top half of the dashboard has five displays. Screens showing the feed from the rear-view cameras are at either end. While the screen behind the steering wheel makes for a digital instrument cluster, the two screens on its right give access to infotainment and vehicle controls.

The Honda e Prototype is underpinned by an all-new EV-specific platform which brings multiple plusses. One, it allows for compact proportions which should come in handy for a car that is primarily designed to be a city runabout. Two, it has a long wheelbase, which should transform into a commodious passenger room. And three, the electric motor is rear-mounted and that feeds the oomph to the rear wheels only. Honda claims that the e Prototype can deliver a range of over 200km on a single charge and, via the recommended fast charging feed, it can replenish 80 per cent of the battery’s juices in just 30 minutes.

The world premiere of the Honda e Prototype is scheduled at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. While we wait for some more numbers, such as the power and battery capacity, to flow in, Honda has already announced that the e Prototype will enter production later this year.