Honda Breaks into Electric Motorcycle Market With Commuter-friendly EM1 e:; Announces Ambitious Electric Expansion

Revving into the future, Honda Motor Co. has announced its first electric motorcycle, the EM1 e:, available for purchase on August 24th. This game-changing vehicle, perfect for daily commutes, signifies Honda's strategic entry into the domestic electric vehicle market.

Going up to 53 km on just one charge, the EM1 e: is the perfect vehicle for running errands around town. Its sleek design is more than just eye-catching; it's categorized under the Road Traffic Law in the same class as 50cc motorcycles. Oh, did we mention that you can charge it right at home?

The beauty of the EM1 e: lies in its removable battery, which can be charged using a dedicated charger. A fully charged battery takes only six hours—perfect for overnight charging.

The price for this innovation is 299,200 yen, tax included. Honda expects to sell 3,000 units annually, so you better act fast.

Honda will also offer three other electric vehicles tailored for business use. These electric vehicles include the Benly e:, a nifty rack-fitted motorbike, the Gyro e:, a three-wheel scooter, and the Gyro Canopy e:, a covered model. Priced at 649,000 yen to 1,001,000 yen (after tax), there's something for everyone.

In a world where decarbonization is becoming increasingly important, Honda is making strides by aiming to release 10 electric motorcycles globally by 2025, with the EM1 e: as their fourth. The goal is to ultimately raise the percentage of electric models compared to all new motorcycles to 15 percent by 2030. Suzuki Motor Corp., meanwhile, is planning to roll out an electric motorcycle by the fiscal year 2024, with eight models set to arrive on the market by 2030.

This is just the beginning, folks. Major motorcycle makers, including Honda, are shifting to electric models to meet the global trend toward decarbonization. Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to roll out an electric motorcycle by fiscal 2024, with eight models set to hit the market by fiscal 2030, making electric motorcycles 25% of the total motorbike lineup.

Meanwhile, Honda Motor Co.'s aircraft subsidiary, Honda Aircraft Co., is revolutionizing the business travel experience with its groundbreaking new light jet. The world's first of its kind, this aircraft can cross the continental United States without refueling, saving busy business travelers precious time.

Based on the HondaJet 2600 concept unveiled at a 2021 trade show in Las Vegas, this innovative jet has a range of approximately 4,862 kilometers - 1.7 times greater than Honda's previous models. Imagine nonstop transcontinental flights from New York to Los Angeles.

Photo: Honda Newsroom