At the EICMA 2024 International Motorcycle Exposition, which is being held in Milan, Italy from November 5th to 10th, Honda unveiled two concept models of its next-generation electric motorcycles, the “EV Fun Concept” and “EV Urban Concept.”
Honda aims to “achieve carbon neutrality through all Honda-related products and corporate activities” by 2050, and aims to achieve carbon neutrality for all motorcycles in the 2040s. Towards this goal, the company is working to convert motorcycles to electric vehicles as a core part of its environmental strategy. The current fiscal year, 2024, is positioned as the first year of the global expansion of electric motorcycles, and Honda is making a full-scale entry into the electric motorcycle market, starting with the EM1e. The period up to 2026 will be the market entry period, and the period from 2026 onwards will be the business expansion period, during which the company will promote the market launch of electric motorcycles.
The battery is fixed, so the body is slim and supports fast charging.
Of the two models that had their world premiere at EICMA 2024, the EV Fun Concept is Honda’s first sports model. It is a motorcycle-type electric model designed for fun use (for the purpose of enjoying riding), which was introduced at the 2023 Honda Electric Motorcycle Business Briefing held in November 2023. It is Honda’s first naked sports model equipped with a fixed battery, and is equivalent to the mid-class mid-displacement range, and is scheduled for release in 2025.
The front fork is an inverted type, and the brakes are double disc.
The rear wheel is a single-arm pro-arm.
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The concept model’s seat is thin, which would make it uncomfortable to ride long distances, but this will likely be changed when the bike goes on sale.
By incorporating Honda’s long-standing motorcycle development technology, the bike not only offers high-level performance in running, turning, and stopping, but also a new level of quiet, vibration-free riding comfort that is characteristic of electric vehicles, and the adoption of a fixed battery makes the bike a slim, easy-to-handle package that offers a new experience different from gasoline-powered vehicles, supporting a new motorcycle life. It is compatible with the CCS2 quick charger, the same standard as automobiles, and optimizes the balance with lightness. Support for quick charging means it is expected to have a range of over 100km, sufficient for easy use around town.
EV Urban Concept: Pursuing functionality as a city commuter
The other model, the EV Urban Concept, is a concept model built from scratch to represent Honda’s vision of urban mobility. Its styling, intuitive interface, and fusion of software and hardware, born from the pursuit and refinement of functionality as a city commuter, create a new experience, embodying the mobility of the near future that harmonizes with people and society. Equipped with a battery pack developed in-house, it is a mobility vehicle that makes travel in urban areas more comfortable and convenient.
The battery is a detachable battery pack developed in-house.
The front brake is rim mounted.
The front is covered with a smoked acrylic cowl, creating a futuristic atmosphere.
The handlebars are flat bars, and the meter is a simple LCD monitor.
With the addition of these two new models, Honda is moving forward with plans to launch 30 electric models globally by 2030. Honda will accelerate its efforts to create a full lineup of electric motorcycles and continue to develop a wide variety of variations.
