Honda said it has no plans to use a manual gearbox in future electric vehicles, following Toyota’s claim that it wants to add this feature to its electric vehicle portfolio.
While most EVs use a single-speed reduction box, manufacturers like Toyota are praising the idea of putting a simulated manual gearbox in their electric models so drivers can experience the thrill of driving like a conventional car inside an electric car.
In an interview, Honda’s head of electrification, Shinji Aoyama, didn’t seem very interested in the idea of simulating a manual gearbox. “Artificially, we can do it. Mechanically, it’s not easy,” said Aoyama.
In line with Aoyama, Honda CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, is also unsure whether the manual gearbox simulation in this electric car can be applied. “I’m not sure if we can replace the manual transmission,” Mibe said.
It seems that Honda prefers to make electric cars fun in other ways. Toyota, on the other hand, seems to be pushing ahead with an artificial manual after the Japanese auto giant patented a manual gearbox simulation device.
The patent document states that Toyota is developing “techniques to produce pseudoshift changes in vehicles that transmit torque to the wheels from the drive motor.”
However, Honda does not necessarily abandon the manual transmission for all of its lineup. A few months ago, the Japanese manufacturer released its Civic Type R hot hatch which was only offered with a manual gearbox.
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