The brief summary is as follows:
1. Ways to Achieve Carbon Neutrality in Motorcycle Products
In order to meet the various uses and needs of customers around the world, Honda offers a wide range of motorcycle products, from small commuter models to large Interesting model, used globally in both emerging and developed countries. Especially in emerging countries, motorcycles, which are the lifeline of people’s daily life, are mainly commuter models and are in great demand; however, the popularization of electric models faces challenges such as heavier vehicles and higher prices. Additionally, demand for electric models is largely dependent on government incentives, regulations, and the availability of charging infrastructure in individual markets.
Considering these circumstances, Honda will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles as the main focus of the motorcycle business environmental strategy, while continuing to advance ICE, aiming to achieve its Carbon neutral for all motorcycle products. In addition, Honda will continue to lead the industry at the forefront of environmental initiatives.
＜Promoting ICE’s initiatives＞
To achieve carbon neutrality while meeting the wide range of customer needs and usage environments unique to motorcycles, Honda continues to take steps to reduce CO2 emissions from ICE models, while also developing models compatible with carbon neutral fuels such as gasoline-ethanol blends. More specifically, in addition to the flex-fuel (E100)*1 motorcycle models already launched in Brazil, Honda also plans to launch flex-fuel models in India, one of the major motorcycle markets. It is planned to launch the flex-fuel (E20) *1 model first from 2023 and the flex-fuel (E100) model in 2025.
2. Electrification Initiative
＜Electric Motorcycle Models to Meet Wide Customer Needs＞
In anticipation of market expansion, Honda will launch electric motorcycles that meet the needs of a wide range of customers. Combining commuter models and fun models, Honda will launch more than 10 new electric motorcycle models by 2025, aiming to achieve annual sales of 1 million and 3.5 million electric motorcycles in the next five years (about 15% of total sales. %) ) by 2030.
Details of the product launch plan are as follows:
(1) Commuter Electric Vehicle
Demand for commercial electric motorcycle models has been on the rise in recent years as companies become more environmentally conscious. To meet such demand, Honda launched the Honda e: business bike series model and accelerated the global launch of commercial electric motorcycles. In addition to supplying the Honda e: business bicycle series models to Japan Post and Vietnam Post Corporation*2 for mail delivery, Honda is currently conducting joint trials with Thailand Post Co., Ltd.*3 and plans to start production and sales of Benly e : By the end of this month in Thailand. Equipped with the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) replaceable battery, these Honda e: Business Bike series models are ideal for business uses such as small package delivery and address key challenges such as range and charging time. Achieving the widespread use of electric motorcycles needs to be solved urgently.
For personal use, Honda plans to launch two commuter EV models in Asia, Europe and Japan between 2024 and 2025. Looking ahead to future market conditions, uses and technological advancements, Honda is exploring a range of future personal use models, including models with power sources other than replaceable batteries.
(2) Commuter EMs*4 / EBs*5
Currently, EMs and EBs account for more than 90% (about 50 million units) of global electric motorcycle sales in the industry. In China, the world’s largest electric motorcycle market, where EMs/EBs are widely adopted as a convenient way of everyday travel, Honda has been offering such products by leveraging its local supplier infrastructure and development/manufacturing operations. Given that demand for EM/EB will expand globally, Honda plans to launch a total of five compact and affordable EM and EB models in Asia, Europe and Japan, and China between now and 2024.
(3) FUN EVs
In addition to commuter EVs, Honda is actively developing in the “FUN” category Electric models. Based on the FUN EV platform currently under development, Honda plans to launch a total of three large FUN EV models in Japan, the US and Europe between 2024 and 2025. Honda will also introduce Kids Fun EV models designed to pass on the joy of riding to the next generation.
＜High-efficiency “Monozukuri” capable of expanding electric vehicle lineup and sales＞
Based on its competitive “Monozukuri” (the art of making things) expertise, accumulated through the development and application of the ICE powered vehicle platform, Honda will develop and apply an electric motorcycle platform that combines the three core components of electric vehicles “Battery, PCU, Motor” and motorcycle body. By meeting customer needs with the efficient Monozukuri, Honda will continue to provide the fun of the move with affordable electric motorcycle models.
Regarding batteries, the core component of electric vehicles, Honda aims to equip its electric motorcycle models with all-solid-state batteries. Honda is currently actively using its own resources for development.
3. Smoother and smarter use of electric motorcycles
＜ Initiatives to strengthen charging infrastructure and standardize batteries ＞
Enhancement of charging infrastructure and standardization of battery specifications are critical for the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles. Honda is working to popularize battery sharing as part of its charging infrastructure upgrade.
(1) Popularity of battery sharing
Honda has formed a joint venture in Indonesia, one of the major motorcycle markets, to provide battery-sharing services using MPP and MPP-powered motorcycles. The joint venture currently operates a battery-sharing service in Bali.
In India, Honda plans to start offering battery-sharing services for electric three-wheeled taxis (so-called “rickshaws”) by the end of this year. Honda also plans to expand its push to promote battery sharing to other Asian countries.
In Japan, in April this year, ENEOS Holdings, Inc. and four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers*6 jointly established Gachaco, Inc. Motorcycles provide a shared service with standardized replaceable batteries and develop infrastructure for this service. The company plans to start offering motorcycle battery-sharing services this fall.
(2) Battery standardization
In Japan, the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers have agreed on general specifications for replaceable batteries according to the JASO TP21003*7 guidelines.
Honda is working towards a replaceable battery while participating in the European battery alliance*8 and working with partner companies in India Standardization of batteries.
＜Strengthening in the field of software technology＞
In order to improve the electric The added value of motorcycles, Honda aims to transform its business from a business focused on non-recurring hardware (product) sales to a recurring business model that combines hardware and software.
In the field of software development, Honda is collaborating with its software subsidiary Drivemode*9 to enhance new value creation for its electric motorcycle products in the connected field. Starting with a commuter EV model planned for 2024, Honda will provide user experience (UX) features that continuously enrich ride quality through connectivity, such as best route selection considering remaining range, charging point notifications, safe riding guidance and after-sales service support.
Going forward, Honda will strive to build a connected platform that not only creates greater value by connecting motorcycles, but by connecting a wide range of Honda products and achieving beyond them Product Domain Connectivity.
*1 Gasoline-ethanol blended fuel. Various blend ratios are available, from 100% gasoline to 100% ethanol. E100 is 100% ethanol and E20 is 20% ethanol.
*2 Vietnam Postal Service
*3 Thailand Postal Service
*4 Electric moped category. Maximum speed: 25km/h – 50km/h
*5 Electric bicycles, excluding electric bicycles. Maximum speed: 25km/h or less.
*6 Honda, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. *7 Japan Society of Automotive Engineers Organization (JASO) Technical Document TP21003, “Guidelines for Replaceable Batteries for Electric Two-Wheelers” established for this purpose
*8 The Replaceable Battery Motorcycle Alliance (SBMC) realizes the wide application of small electric travel products such as electric motorcycles .
*9 Software developers who turn UX into mobility. Drivemode builds smarter, safer, connected driving technology for everyone on the road.
Industry: Automotive, Motorsport
Copyright © 2022 JCN Newswire . all rights reserved. A division of the Nippon Enterprise News Network.
