Honda will introduce more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an aim to reach annual electric motorcycle sales of 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (approximately 15% of total sales) as of 2030.

Commuter EVs. Honda plans to introduce two commuter EV models between 2024 and 2025 across Asia, Europe and Japan. Envisioning the future market environment, uses and technological advancements, Honda is exploring a range of future personal-use models including ones equipped with a power source besides swappable batteries.

Honda has been offering the Honda e: Business Bike series models and accelerating the global launch of business-use electric motorcycles. In addition to providing a Honda e: Business Bike series model to Japan Post and Vietnam Post Corporation for mail delivery, Honda is currently conducting joint trials with Thailand Post Company Limited, and planning to begin production and sales of the Benly e: in Thailand before the end of this month.

These Honda e: Business Bike series models are equipped with Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries, which are well-suited to business use such as the delivery of small packages and resolve issues of range and charging time, which are key challenges that need to be addressed to realize widespread use of electric motorcycles.

Commuter EMs / EBs. Currently, EMs (electric motorcycles) and EBs (electric bicycles) account for more than 90% of industry-wide global electric motorcycle unit sales (approximately 50 million units). In China, the world’s largest electric motorcycle market, EMs / EBs are widely adopted as a convenient form of everyday mobility, and Honda has been offering such products by leveraging its local supplier infrastructure and development / manufacturing operations.

With the expectation that demand for EMs / EBs will be expanding globally, Honda plans to introduce a total of five compact and affordable EM and EB models between now and 2024 across Asia, Europe and Japan, in addition to China.

Platform strategy. 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.

Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with an all-solid-state battery that Honda is currently developing by making active use of its own resources.

Battery sharing. In Japan, four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers—Honda, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co.—have agreed on common specifications for swappable batteries based on the JASO TP21003 guideline.

Honda is working toward the standardization of swappable batteries while participating in a battery consortium in Europevand working with a partner company in India.

Software. To increase the added value of its electric motorcycles, Honda is aiming to transform its business from a focus on non-recurring hardware (product) sales business to a recurring business model combining hardware and software.

In the area of software development, Honda is working with its software subsidiary Drivemode to enhance new value creation for its electric motorcycle products in the connected realm. Starting with the commuter EV model scheduled to go on sale in 2024, Honda will offer user experience (UX) features that continuously enrich the quality of riding through connectivity, such as offering optimal route options that take into consideration remaining range, charging spot notification, safe riding coaching and after-sales service support.

Looking ahead, Honda will work toward the establishment of a connected platform where greater value will be generated not only by connecting its motorcycles, but by linking a wide range of Honda products and realizing connectivity beyond their product domains.