Honda Going Big With Electric Motorcycles

When you think of Honda motorcycles, you probably think about good fit and finish, reasonable pricing, a massive dealer presence, and motorcycles that are perhaps a bit bland. As one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world, when Big Red makes decisions, people listen. So, if they say they are going to expand their plans to produce electric motorcycles, would you be surprised? Don’t most people think electric motorcycles (and cars, for that matter) are doomed?

Honda plans to spend about $3.34B US dollars to implement its plan through 2030. Image: Honda

Apparently, Honda doesn’t think so and has announced that it will continue with a strategic electric motorcycle plan—and it will continue in a big way. According to a Honda Global press release, the company intends to introduce 30 electric motorcycle models globally by 2030 and increase its sales of electric motorcycle models to 4 million units in the same timeframe.

Global South Is The First Target

Honda’s plans call for it to concentrate on what it calls the World’s Global South, which consists of Southwest Asia, whose largest market is India, as well as Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, and other Central and South American countries. They will go after these markets with both ICE and electric motorcycles, saying:

With this expected trend, the industry-wide global motorcycle sales, currently at a scale of 50 million units, is projected to grow to 60 million units by 2030, including electric vehicles.

In order to respond to this market growth and increased demand with certainty, Honda will continue introducing more competitive products, pursue carbon neutrality through various measures including electrification and further solidify its motorcycle business, with a long-term target to capture a 50% share of the global motorcycle market including electric motorcycles.

Initiatives In Carbon Neutrality

Honda says that it is “Striving to realize carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s.” They go on to say that “Honda will accelerate electrification while also continuing to advance ICE (internal combustion engines).” But how are they going to do it? Honda’s electrification plan seems to concentrate on continuing its current electric motorcycle models, pursuing modularization, and producing many, many more electric motorcycles in the not-too-distant future.

Honda has an in-depth plan to create its dominance in electric motorcycles. Image: Honda

Honda entered the electric motorcycle market in 2024, positioning it as the first year of its electric globalization plans. Honda currently has two global electric motorcycles in Indonesia: the CUV e and the ICON e. Its ICON model uses a fixed battery like many other electric motorcycle manufacturers use in their models. But the CUV e is a different story. It is powered by two units of Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e swappable batteries. Swappable batteries? Now that’s an idea! Honda has big plans for the CUV e. It is scheduled to go on sale in 20 countries, including Europe and Japan.

Honda, like many other moto companies, intends to use modular platforms as a means to control costs. Image: Honda

For the Indian market, it is a similar story. Honda announced two electric motorcycle models designed exclusively for that country. India will see the QC 1, powered by a fixed battery, and the ACTIVA e, powered by two units of the Honda Power Pack e. Doubling down on its electrification plans, Big Red said that of the 30 electric motorcycle models it has planned for introduction by 2023, it has already introduced 13 models. And Honda says it is continuing to make steady progress with its electrification plans.

Ultimately, Honda says it intends to lead in the electric motorcycle market, saying:

“By offering a wide variety of electric models that accommodate the increasingly diverse customer needs, Honda will strive to become the leading company also in the electric motorcycle market.” – Honda Global Press Release

But What About Charging?

Honda recognizes that the move to electrify powered two-wheelers will require infrastructure. To that end, the company started offering a battery-sharing service in Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand using a local subsidiary, Honda Power Pack Energy India Pvt. Ltd (HEID). Coinciding with the market launch of Honda’s ACTIVA e, HEID will begin offering Honda e:Swap, a battery-sharing service in three major Indian cities. The capability will permit riders to swap batteries quickly and easily “…which will eliminate the users’ anxiety of running out of battery power and need to wait for recharging and offer mobility experience with greater peace of mind.”

Indian Dealer Support

Honda goes on to say that it will also strengthen its after-sales services and maintenance by leveraging what it says is the world’s largest sales network, consisting of 6,000 dealership locations throughout India. And since it still plans to produce motorcycles with a fixed battery pack, Honda says it will leverage its sales network to enhance its battery charging network.

There’s no doubt about it: Honda’s motorcycle presence is gigantic. Image: Honda

But Wait, There’s More

Honda is also examining the end life of its powered two-wheeler batteries and looking at other ways to use or recycle them. For the Indian market, Honda has entered into a collaboration with OMC Power. The result is an initiative to “…utilize used Honda Mobile Power Pack e: as power feeders, which will help people in areas with unstable power supply and off-grid areas in India, supplying power to local stores and schools.”

In addition, Honda says it will work to “…build a recycling-oriented circular value chain, which includes the recycling of the battery’s precious metals and other materials.”

Is Honda Doing It Right?

Honda seems to be taking a bilateral approach to electrically powered two-wheelers. It has both short—and long-term visions for motorcycle electrification that, at first blush, seem to have significant success potential. While Honda’s plans will require lots of money to execute, they have a vision, and they are going to stick to it. What do you think of Honda’s plan for powered two-wheeler electrification and its chance of success? Let us know in the comments below.

And stay tuned for a more in-depth article looking at Honda’s electrification plans in the not-too-distant future.