Japanese automaker Honda must produce an electric vehicle soon to keep up with the automotive industry. The company has lagged behind other automakers in EV production, and now it may be doomed. Here’s why Honda’s electric future is uncertain, to say the least.

Honda gave other automakers a head start

Honda has tried to make alternative options to gas-powered vehicles. It has produced hybrid vehicles. It even tried to produce an electric vehicle. The Honda Clarity EV did too little. Now the automaker’s next EV may be too late.

Automakers like Ford, Nissan, and Tesla have produced successful electric vehicles. Companies are already adding EVs to lineups, and these EVs are growing fanbases. Honda’s lack of an EV gives other automakers room to gain more attention from consumers and ultimately take sales from Honda by offering electric options that the company doesn’t.

Honda is behind no matter what perspective you look at it from. Good decisions are rarely made in haste. In Honda’s rush to produce a great EV, it partnered with a company that seemingly had experience in the area. Now, that partnership and Honda’s EV may go up in flames.

The Honda and General Motors partnership could be a disaster

After witnessing the early success of the Chevrolet Bolt in 2017, Honda later decided to strike a deal with the large American automaker. General Motors is one of the big three American automakers. It seemed to have experience launching a successful EV platform with the Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt EUV. Appearances can be deceiving.

Chevrolet has recently recalled every Chevy Bolt model ever made. The Bolt has been noted as a fire risk both by consumers and the company. Several models have burst into flames after battery modules overheated and subsequently caused larger fires. But what does this mean for Honda?

Honda’s deal with General Motors was an agreement to collaborate on the production of the Honda Prologue Battery Electric Vehicle. According to Car and Driver, the Prologue is an electric SUV that is slated to come out in 2024. There’s just one problem. How can Honda rely on GM’s help when the company’s own EV just cost them millions of dollars?

GM is now going through an expensive battery module replacement process. The company has had to recall every Chevrolet Bolt EV that it has ever produced because the battery modules are so dangerous. GM has its own problems. so contributing to Honda’s EV efforts in a positive way just doesn’t seem feasible.

Will we ever get a good Honda EV?

A Honda electric vehicle is coming, we just have no idea when for sure. In order to compete with current electric vehicles, the Honda Prologue will have to have upwards of 230 miles of range on its base model. It must also provide enough speed to be fun. Honda can take a page out of Ford’s book and electrify one of its popular nameplates.

Nothing about Honda’s GM deal is exciting for the future of the company. Chevrolet Bolts have been a disaster. Hondas are generally reliable vehicles, so it’s hard to imagine the company would risk having a similar issue to GM. Chances are a great Honda EV will be available eventually, but right now, the future doesn’t look so bright.