In a special session webcast globally from Japan, Honda presented its vision of the future for motorcycles. While more than 1 million electric motorcycles will be sold by 2026, that is only 5% of Honda’s global total and they say ICE bikes will be around well into the future, while striving for carbon neutrality. Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, while also continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s. Moreover, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of its environmental initiatives.
Honda aims to realize carbon neutrality for all products by 2050 according to presenters Kohei Takeuchi, Director, Executive Vice President and Representative Executive Officer, and Yoshishige Nomura, Managing Officer. Cutting to the chase, they outlined the big picture:
• Striving to realize carbon neutrality for all of its motorcycle products during the 2040s, as the primary focus of environmental strategies for motorcycle business, Honda will accelerate electrification of its motorcycle models, while also continuing to advance ICE (internal combustion engines).
• Honda plans to introduce 10 or more electric motorcycle models globally by 2025 and aims to increase annual sales of electric models to 1 million units within the next five years, and 3.5 million units (equivalent to 15% of total unit sales) as of 2030.
• As the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer, Honda will continue to lead the industry in this "era of carbon neutrality" by continuing to offer the "joy of riding" with its electric motorcycles and by offering products with new value by leveraging the high level of compatibility of software technology and electrified models.
Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, 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.
However, the internal combustion engine remains part of the master plan for motorcycles globally. “In order to realize carbon neutrality while accommodating the wide range of customer needs and usage environments unique to motorcycles, Honda continues its initiatives to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE models, while also developing models compatible with carbon neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol blends,” explained Takeuchi. “To be more specific, in addition to Brazil where flex-fuel (E100) motorcycle models are already available, Honda plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, as well, one of the major motorcycle markets. The plan is to first introduce flex-fuel (E20) models beginning in 2023, and flex-fuel (E100) models in 2025.”
Anticipating market expansion, Honda will introduce electric motorcycles that accommodate a wide range of customer needs. Commuter models and fun models combined, 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. While commuter EVs and machine-like postal delivery bikes will be key drivers of the global EV initiative, U.S. dealers will be glad to learn that “fun” will still be a factor in the future.
In addition to commuter EVs, Honda is actively developing electrified models in the "FUN" category. Based on its FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to introduce a total of three large-size FUN EV models in Japan, the U.S and Europe between 2024 and 2025. “Honda will also introduce Kids Fun EV model, designed to pass on the joy of riding to the next generation,” concludes Nomura.