Honda has given a sneak peek into its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) offerings, teasing the reveal of two new Honda Zero EV prototypes that will make their official debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January. The automaker will also showcase a new proprietary operating system designed specifically for its global electric vehicle series.

The Honda Zero series was first announced at CES 2024, with the company describing it as a new "global EV series" that would be "lighter" and more futuristic than the current crop of heavy, boxy electric SUVs and trucks. The three defining principles of Honda Zero are "thin," "light," and "wise," with the company leveraging its learnings from Formula 1 and robotics to introduce a new lineup of vehicles that are distinctly of the future.

The teaser image released by Honda features rear profiles of the two concept vehicles, the Saloon and the Space-Hub, which were first revealed earlier this year. The Saloon boasts a sloping fastback shape with unique rectangular lights in the front and rear, reminiscent of a vintage Black & Decker Dustbuster. The Space-Hub, on the other hand, resembles a minivan with minimal overhangs and a rear light that bears a striking resemblance to Rivian's electric delivery vans for Amazon.

At CES 2025, Honda plans to expand on its "wise" principle by releasing more details about its new operating system, automated driving technologies, and an overview of its system-on-a-chip that will support its Honda Zero vehicles. This move is seen as a significant step forward in the company's electrification strategy, as it seeks to establish itself as a major player in the EV market.

Earlier this year, Verge contributor Abigail Bassett had the opportunity to get up close and personal with Honda's new global EV series in Japan. She drove a prototype CR-V equipped with Honda Zero tech and found it to be lighter and more nimble than a Honda Prologue. The new Honda Zero platform feels similar to other EV platforms on the market in terms of acceleration and handling, with the weight being low in the floor, allowing the prototype CR-V to corner quickly and flat as you approached the limit.

The powertrain is quick and responsive, and on the short, front straight that the engineers set up for the test laps, Abigail hit 110km (just shy of 70mph) in a relatively short distance. This bodes well for the production-ready versions of the Saloon and Space-Hub, which are expected to make their debut at CES 2025.

The Honda Zero series is not the only electrification effort underway at the company. Honda is also working on solid-state batteries, collaborating with Sony on the Afeela EV, and potentially merging with Nissan. As the EV market continues to heat up, it will be interesting to see how Honda's new offerings fare in the competitive landscape.

With CES 2025 just around the corner, all eyes will be on Honda as it takes the wraps off its new Zero EV prototypes and showcases its latest electrification technologies. Will the company be able to make a significant impact in the EV market, or will it struggle to keep up with the likes of Tesla and other established players? Only time will tell.