Back in March, Honda filed some interesting patents for an unmissable electric motorcycle. Now, merely months later, the cat is finally out of the bag. It’s called the E-VO, and it is the closest thing to a full-sized motorcycle by Honda yet. There is a lot to like here, in terms of technology, performance, and equipment. So let’s jump right in.
Related
The Honda E-VO Has A Maximum Range Of Over 100 Miles
Range and charging time are perhaps what you want to know first, so we’ll start here. Honda has equipped the E-VO with a 74V 84Ah (~6.2 kWh) lithium-ion battery that ensures a maximum range of 105.6 miles (calculated by the WMTC method). That’s a lot higher than its Japanese rivals: the Kawasaki Ninja e-1 and Z e-1. Once out of juice, charging from 20 to 80 percent takes an impressive 2.5 hours via the home charger. If you use a car charger, that time cuts down to just 1.5 hours. The battery isn’t removable for quick swapping, though.
How’s the performance, you ask? Just right. A 15.8 kW electric motor serves as the centerpiece, which ensures a top speed of 75 miles per hour. Honda also claims you can breach 30 miles per hour (from a standstill) in under three seconds. A single-speed transmission with a Continental belt drives the rear wheel. That means a twist-and-go action with no fuss about gear-shifting.
Touching on the underpinnings, the E-VO hides an aluminum forged chassis. It relies on USD forks and a gas-charged monoshock for suspension duties, while riding on 16/14-inch alloy wheels. The use of aluminum on the frame and swingarm helps keep the weight down to under 350 pounds. That’s quite low considering the equipment on offer.
Honda E-VO Battery, Range, And Performance
|
Motor |
15.8 kW (mid-mounted) |
|
Torque |
NA |
|
Top speed |
75 miles per hour |
|
Battery |
6.2 kWh (fixed) |
|
Maximum range (claimed) |
105.6 miles |
|
Charging time (20-80 percent) |
2.5 hours |
A Sea Of Modern Features Elevates The Honda E-VO’s Package
Speaking of equipment, you will simply dig the impeccable features on offer here. The protagonist is a large seven-inch TFT instrument cluster, which works in tandem with a small secondary TFT on the tank. The former comes armed with smartphone connectivity, NFC, and turn-by-turn navigation, while the latter is just for showing minor details.
Sweetening the pot is traction control, three ride modes, TPMS, cruise control, and a reverse gear. All this while, our favorite inclusion is a set of 1080P front and rear cameras. These have a dedicated handlebar switch to start/stop recording on the fly. A phone storage compartment (in the ‘tank’ area), adjustable levers, LED lights, and bar-end mirrors round things off.
Honda E-VO Key Features
- Seven-inch TFT
- Smartphone connectivity
- Ride modes
- TPMS
- Cruise control
- Reverse gear
- 1080P cameras
- Phone storage with USB ports
The Honda E-VO Has Yet To Reach International Markets
Related
How The Honda Gold Wing Will Become Cooler Than Ever
With a lane departure system that adapts according to the more diverse riding nature of a motorcycle.
As of now, Honda has launched the E-VO only in China under its Wuyang-Honda initiative. It sells for an equivalent of $5,100 while there’s also another version for $4,100 with less range and performance. That isn’t exactly cheap, but the money is somewhat justified here. The bigger worry is: will Honda bring its first electric motorcycle to the West? We think it should, since the E-VO seems like an excellent alternative to the miniMOTO range available here. What do you think?
link