Honda unveils electric motorcycle timeline

Rennie Scaysbrook

| September 13, 2022

Honda has released a statement clarifying its position on its future with electric motorcycles, with the world’s largest manufacturer stating there will be 10 new electric models on sale by 2025 as part of a larger push towards sustainability.

Honda has stated they intend to sell one million electric motorcycles by 2030, or 15 percent of total sales, with all products and activities produced by the company to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Honda has unveiled a bold plan for the electrification of part of its model line-up.

Much of the “electrification” of Honda’s line-up centers around commuter machines such as scooters and small-size streetbikes, however, Honda has said it will continue development of its internal combustion engine (ICE) platform, especially with regard to using various grades of ethanol fuel.

Honda will expand the models currently on sale in Brazil that can reliably run on 100 percent ethanol fuel, saying they will introduce these bikes to India and other major motorcycle markets. Considering 100 percent ethanol fuel is not easily available in the United States, don’t expect these bikes to come here any time soon.

The new range will be powered by solid-state batteries.

What you can expect to come from Honda is a new range of “Fun” EV’s (Honda’s words, not ours). Based on its FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-size FUN EV models in Japan, the U.S and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with an all-solid-state battery. Honda is working toward the standardization of swappable batteries while participating in a battery consortium in Europe and working with a partner company in India.

Honda’s new design philosophy, “Monozukuri”.

The platform for electrification comes from the Japanese term “Monozukuri” (art of making things).

Under the Monozukuri platform, Honda will “develop and apply electric motorcycle platforms that combine the three core components for electric vehicles – the battery, PCU and motor– with the motorcycle body. By fulfilling customer needs with highly efficient Monozukuri, Honda will continue to offer the joy of mobility with affordably-priced electric motorcycle models.”

Honda is the latest Japanese manufacturer who has thrown their hat in the electric motorcycle ring with compatriots Kawasaki stating they will have two new electric motorcycles on sale for 2023, five electric of hybrid bikes by 2025, and all bikes are to be electric or hybrid-power in developed markets by 2035.

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