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Honda electric and flex-fuel motorcycles!

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Honda electric and flex-fuel motorcycles!

Honda aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050. The company held a press conference today on the business initiatives of its motorcycle division, presented by Kohei Takeuchi (Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer) and Yoshishige Nomura (Managing Officer).

1. Approach to achieve climate neutrality in motorcycle products

To meet the demands and needs of customers worldwide, Honda offers a wide range of motorcycles, from small commuter models to large fun models, which are used in both emerging and economically advanced countries around the world. Especially in emerging markets, where customers rely on their motorcycles - mainly commuter models - as a means of transport in everyday life, the switch to electric models is a challenge in terms of aspects such as weight and price. The demand for electric models also depends heavily on government incentives, regulations and available charging infrastructure.

With these circumstances in mind, Honda will accelerate motorcycle electrification as the primary focus of its motorcycle business' environmental strategies, while at the same time accelerating the evolution of its internal combustion engines to achieve carbon neutrality across all its motorcycle products in the 2040s.

Ongoing initiatives to further develop internal combustion engines

To achieve the goal of carbon neutrality while meeting the diverse customer demands and usage needs that characterize the motorcycle sector, Honda will continue its initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from internal combustion engines while developing models that run on carbon-neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol Mixtures are operated. In addition to the flex fuel (E100) already available in Brazil*1 models, Honda also plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, one of its most important motorcycle markets. Initially, flex fuel (E2023) is planned from 20*1 models to market and from 2025 Flex-Fuel (E100) models.

Honda electric and flex-fuel motorcycles!

*1 Gasoline-ethanol fuel mixture. These are available in different mixing ratios, from 100 percent petrol to 100 percent ethanol. E100 stands for 100 percent ethanol and E20 for 20 percent ethanol.

2. Electrification initiatives

Introduction of electric motorcycles to cover a wide range of customer requirements In anticipation of a growing market, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that cover a variety of customer needs. With the introduction of Commuter and Fun models, Honda will launch more than ten new electric motorcycle models by 2025, with an annual sales target of one million units within the next five years and 3,5 million units (the equivalent to 15% of total units sold) by 2030. Below are the details of the product launches:

(1) Commuter EVs

Companies are becoming more and more environmentally conscious, and the demand for electric motorcycles for commercial use has increased in recent years. To meet these needs, Honda has offered the Honda e: Business Bike models and has driven the global launch of electric motorcycles for commercial use. In addition to the Honda e: Business Bike models for Japan Post and Vietnam Post Corporation, which use the models for their delivery services, Honda is currently conducting tests with Thailand Post Company Limited and plans to start production and sale of the Benly e:in model Thailand towards the end of the month. These Honda e: Business Bike models are equipped with the replaceable batteries of the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP), which are ideal for business use, e.g. B. the delivery of smaller packages. They solve range and charging time problems, which are the biggest challenges in the transition to electric motorcycles. For private use, Honda plans to introduce two electric commuter models in the Asian, European and Japanese markets between 2024 and 2025. Taking into account the future market development, usage patterns and technological developments, the company is researching a number of future models for private use, which will be equipped with a different energy source in addition to replaceable batteries.

(2) Commuter EMs*2 / EBs*3

Over 90 percent of the current global market for electrically powered motorcycles (around 50 million units) consists of EMs and EBs. In China, the world's largest market, EMs/EBs are already widespread as a convenient form of mobility. Here, Honda can use its strengths in terms of development progress at the local level, since the brand has already developed products for this market. As the EM/EB market continues to grow worldwide, Honda plans to launch five compact and affordable EM and EB models in Asia, Europe and Japan by 2024, in addition to China.

*2 Electric moped category. Top Speed: 25km/h - 50km/h
*3 Electric Bicycle Category, not counting electrically assisted bicycles. Top speed: 25 km/h or less.

(3) FUN EV's

In addition to the Commuter EV models, Honda is actively developing electrified models in the “Fun” segment. Based on the FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to launch three large FUN EV models in Japan, the United States and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda will also introduce FUN EV models for kids to pass on the driving fun and excitement to the next generation.

High-efficiency "Monozukuri" supports line-up expansion and electric motorcycle sales

Based on its competitive "Monozukuri" (the art of science and manufacturing) know-how achieved through the development and application of platforms for ICE powered models, Honda will develop and apply an electric motorcycle platform that combines the three main components for Electric vehicles - battery, PCU and motor - combined with the chassis of the motorcycle. By meeting customers' needs with highly efficient Monozukuri manufacturing methods, Honda will continue to deliver fun riding and mobility with electric motorcycles at an affordable price. Regarding the battery, one of the essential elements for electric vehicles, Honda will incorporate its knowledge of solid-state batteries and use the batteries currently under development from its own resources for its electric motorcycles.

3. Smooth and smart use of electric motorcycles

Initiatives to improve charging infrastructure and standardize batteries. A well-developed charging infrastructure and the standardization of battery specifications are essential factors for the large-scale switch to electric motorcycles. To improve the charging infrastructure, Honda is working on the wider application of removable batteries.

(1) Wide acceptance of replaceable batteries

  • Honda has formed a joint venture in Indonesia, one of the largest motorcycle markets, to operate a swappable battery service that relies on MPPs and MPP-powered mobility. A battery sharing service is already operational in Bali through this joint venture.
  • In India, Honda plans to launch a battery-sharing service for electric three-wheeler taxis ("rickshaws") by the end of this year. The company is also aiming to expand battery sharing to other countries in Asia.
  • In Japan, ENEOS Holdings, Inc. and the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers formed*4 in April of this year together with Gachaco, Inc., a company that aims to provide a motorcycle battery-sharing service for standardized removable batteries and to develop the infrastructure for this service. The company plans to launch the service this fall.

*4 Honda, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

(2) standardization of batteries

  • In Japan, four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have reached an agreement on a common standard for removable batteries, based on the JASO TP21003*5 guidelines.
  • Honda is working on the standardization of replaceable batteries, and at the same time the company is also a member of a battery consortium in Europe*6 and works with a partner company in India.

*5 The Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. Organization (JASO) technical paper TP21003, “Guideline For Swappable Batteries Of Electric Two Wheel Vehicles”
*6 Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC), formed to promote the widespread deployment of electric motorcycles and other light electric vehicles. 

Strengthening in the field of software technology

To increase the value of its electric motorcycles, Honda aims to change its business model from a one-time product sale (hardware) to a recurring business model that combines hardware and software. In the field of software development, Honda works with its software subsidiary Drivemode*7 together to increase the added value for its electric motorcycle products in the field of connectivity. Starting with the Commuter EV model planned for 2024, Honda aims to provide a user experience that continuously enriches the quality of the ride through connectivity, such as: B. by optimal route calculation taking into account the remaining range of the electric vehicle, notification of charging stations, driving safety coaching and customer service support. Looking ahead, Honda will work towards building a connected platform that adds value by offering connectivity not just for motorcycles, but for a range of others as well Honda products - a connectivity that is realized beyond the respective product areas.

*7 Software developer who implements the user experience for mobility products. Drivemode develops smarter and safer connectivity services for powertrains and for everyone on the road. Photo credit: Honda

Honda electric and flex-fuel motorcycles!

Of course, that was far from it. Our tuning magazine has countless other tuning reports in stock. And also with the topic Motorcycle and motorcycle tuning we meet regularly. Do you want to see all posts about motorcycles and motorcycle tuning? Just click HERE and look around. Or is a small extract enough? Then take a look at the following Mopped posts.

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About Thomas Wachsmuth

Thomas Wachsmuth - He has been an integral part of tuningblog.eu since 2013. His passion for cars is so intense that he invests every available penny in them. While he dreams of a BMW E31 850CSI and a Hennessey 6x6 Ford F-150, he currently drives a rather inconspicuous BMW 540i (G31/LCI). His collection of books, magazines and brochures on the subject of car tuning has now reached such proportions that he himself has become a walking reference work for the tuning scene.  More about Thomas

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