On September 13th, Honda held a press conference on its global motorcycle business strategy towards carbon neutrality, focusing primarily on electrification. As the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Honda will continue to demonstrate its position in the “carbon-neutral era” by bringing the “joy of riding” through electric motorcycles and incorporating advanced technology software into its electric models.
Carbon neutrality goals for motorcycle products
Honda is striving to achieve carbon neutrality for all its motorcycle products by the 2040s, making it the top environmental priority in its motorcycle business.
To meet the diverse usage purposes and needs of customers worldwide, Honda has been and continues to offer a variety of models ranging from small displacement motorcycles to large displacement motorcycles in emerging and developing countries. Particularly in emerging countries, there is high demand for basic transportation motorcycles used for daily commuting. However, the popularization of electric motorcycles in these countries faces challenges related to the heavy weight and high cost of the vehicles. Additionally, the demand for electric motorcycles largely depends on government incentives, regulations, and the availability of charging infrastructure in each specific market.
Based on the current situation, Honda will accelerate the process of electrifying motorcycles while continuing to improve internal combustion engines (ICE) to achieve this goal.
To realize its carbon neutrality goal, Honda will introduce initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE motorcycles and develop models compatible with environmentally friendly fuels such as bioethanol. In addition to Brazil, where motorcycles that use mixed fuel (E100) are already available, Honda plans to introduce motorcycles using mixed fuel in India. Starting in 2023, Honda will introduce motorcycles using a blend of fuel (E20) for the first time, and motorcycles using mixed fuel (E100) will be introduced in 2025.
Electric mobility initiatives
Honda will launch electric motorcycles ranging from entry-level models to large-scale models. According to its plan, Honda aims to introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with the annual sales target of 1 million units within the next five years and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) by 2030.
Entry-level electric motorcycles
Honda offers models in the Honda e series: Business motorcycles and is working to globally market these electric motorcycles. In addition to providing the Honda e Business motorcycles, Honda also supplies them to Japan Post and Vietnam Post for delivery purposes. Honda is currently conducting a pilot project with Thailand Post and plans to start production and sales of the Benly e: motorcycles in Thailand in September.
The Honda e Business motorcycles are equipped with replaceable and rechargeable batteries called Honda Mobile Power Packs (MPP), making them suitable for small cargo distribution and addressing range and charging time issues.
For personal motorcycles, Honda plans to introduce two electric motorcycle models between 2024 and 2025 in Asia, Europe, and Japan. Additionally, Honda is testing a range of personal motorcycle models, including motorcycles that can be charged directly and motorcycles with swappable batteries.
Simulation of 2 personal electric motorcycle models by Honda.
Electric scooters/mopeds (EM) / Electric bicycles (EB)
Currently, electric scooters and electric bicycles account for more than 90% of global electric motorcycle sales across the entire industry (about 50 million units). With the expectation that the demand for electric scooters/electric bicycles will continue to expand globally, Honda plans to introduce a total of five compact electric scooter and electric bicycle models at affordable prices from now until 2024 in Asia, Europe, Japan, and even China.
Simulation of Honda’s electric scooter/moped (EM) and electric bicycle (EB) models.
Large-scale electric motorcycles
In addition to popular electric motorcycles, Honda is actively developing electric motorcycles in the “FUN” (large-scale) category. Based on the currently developed large-scale electric motorcycle platform (FUN EV), Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-scale electric motorcycle models in Japan, the United States, and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda will also introduce the Kids Fun EV model, an electric motorcycle specifically designed to convey the joy of riding to young generations.
Simulation of a large-scale electric motorcycle by Honda.
Honda will develop and apply a new platform for electric motorcycles incorporating three core components: batteries, power control units (PCUs), and motors into the motorcycle frame, providing customers with enjoyable experiences riding reasonably priced electric motorcycles. The company aims to equip electric motorcycles with lithium batteries that have been researched and developed by Honda.
Honda aims to equip electric motorcycles with lithium batteries researched and developed by Honda.
Making electric mobility more comfortable and intelligent
Battery sharing promotion
Improving charging infrastructure and standardizing battery specifications are crucial for increasing the popularity of electric motorcycles. Honda is working towards promoting battery swapping systems as part of enhancing the charging infrastructure.
Honda has established a joint venture company in Indonesia to operate battery swapping services using Mobile Power Packs (MPP) and motorcycles with removable batteries (MPP). This joint venture is currently operating battery sharing services in Bali. In India, Honda plans to start battery swapping services for three-wheeler electric taxis by the end of this year. Honda also has plans to expand its battery swapping initiatives to other Asian countries.
Battery standardization
In Japan, the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have agreed on common technical specifications for swappable chargeable batteries based on JASO guidelines. By participating in a battery consortium in Europe and collaborating with a partner company in India, Honda is working towards standardized battery swapping.
Advancements in software technology
To enhance the added value of electric motorcycles, Honda aims to transition its business operations from a primarily hardware-focused business (product-based) to a recurring revenue model combining hardware and software.
Starting with the entry-level electric motorcycle planned for release in 2024, Honda will provide user experience (UX) features, continuously enriching the quality of the riding experience through connected software features, such as offering route options to optimize travel distances, charging point notifications, safe driving training support, and after-sales services.
In the future, Honda aims to establish a large-scale connectivity platform that will be created not only by connecting its motorcycles but also by linking a range of Honda products and realizing connectivity beyond core product areas.
Honda Vietnam’s strategy based on Honda’s long-term global strategy
Honda Vietnam (HVN) is committed to creating a sustainable “moving” society in Vietnam. To achieve this goal, HVN has begun researching customer needs to develop products and build future electric vehicle infrastructure in the Vietnamese market.
One of Honda’s initiatives is a collaboration with Vietnam Post Corporation in implementing the Electric Vehicle Rental project using Honda Benly e: motorcycles. The project has provided valuable user evaluation data, which is a significant basis for studying the feasibility of electric vehicles in the future.
In 2021, HVN and the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM) also collaborated with the University of Transport and Communications to develop standards for battery exchange, gradually working with the government to establish battery standards for electric vehicles that are harmonized and compatible with international standards.
Through these activities, Honda Vietnam is striving to establish a comprehensive roadmap for environmentally friendly activities and contribute to the popularization of electric vehicles in the future. At the same time, it hopes to closely coordinate with the government, relevant ministries, and related businesses in building and developing suitable infrastructure.
