Most electric vehicles don’t have multi-speed transmissions—and don’t need them. Multi gears may even hurt efficiency, in fact. But that hasn’t stopped Honda from experimenting with a manual transmission for electric cars.
The automaker is currently testing a manual gearbox—complete with a clutch pedal—for EVs, an engineer told The Drive during a recent media event highlighting tech features for the upcoming Honda 0 Series EVs. Honda wasn’t willing to discuss production plans, though.
Honda Series 0 prototype (Accord)
If it does make it to production, the manual transmission could be accompanied by artificial gas-engine sounds. At the same media event, Honda showed off the ability to replicate the sounds of iconic models like the S2000, CRX, and NSX-R, as well as the more recent NSX Type S and the current Civic Type R, in its EVs.
Manual transmissions may not be necessary for EV efficiency and performance, but some automotive engineers and executives believe they might be worth including in performance EVs to preserve driver involvement and cater to enthusiasts used to combustion cars.
Honda Series 0 prototype (Accord)
While he was still CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda championed a manual transmission with clutch pedal with EVs. In a 2023 interview, Toyoda said the goal was to replicate the full experience of a combustion-engine car—complete with stalling—minus the smell of gasoline. It was a predictable move for Toyoda. The grandson of Toyota’s founder, he’s an avid racer who also pushed for more performance models like the revived Supra sports car during his tenure.
Hyundai has already tried to achieve a similar affect without going to the extent of including physical gears and a clutch pedal. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N features artificial shift points, accompanied by a synthetic soundtrack—all managed by software.
