BREAKING: Honda Reveals Electric Two-wheeler Plans; First EV to Be Launched Next Year

It will also be manufacturing the battery packs and motors locally in India

By now we already know that Honda is working on launching electric two-wheelers in India. Adding to that, Honda has revealed its EV plans and more juicy details in its latest announcement.

Firstly, Honda announced a brand new manufacturing facility called ‘Factory E’ especially for EVs in Narsapura, Karnataka. This facility will be capable of producing about one million electric two-wheelers by the year 2030, which is a pretty decent and doable goal for Honda. For perspective, Ather currently has a production capacity of 4 lakh units per annum, and once its third facility with 10 lakh units a year is set up, it will be able to churn out 14 lakh units annually.

Under Project Vidyut, Honda has developed a new platform for the EVs called Platform E. The first two products to come from this platform will be by FY 2024 (which spans from April 2024 to March 2025), and while one of them will get a fixed battery and will be a mid-range EV (likely the Activa Electric), the other will make use of Honda Mobile Power Pack e: which is a swappable battery pack. 

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Another interesting bit is that Honda will be producing the Power Control Unit (PCU), electric motor and battery packs right here in India. This should mean that the upcoming Honda EVs will be more adept to the Indian weather conditions, and will also enjoy FAME II and state subsidies offered for made-in-india electric products. P.S that is if the subsidies are still offered by the time Honda launches its products. At the moment, the FAME II subsidies are extended till March 31, 2024. Pricing will be crucial for Honda, especially if the FAME II subsidies are not extended further. In that case, Honda will have to develop cost-effective EVs that are not dependent on subsidies.

Apart from the EV news, Honda will also be transitioning its entire product lineup to be compliant with the BS6 Phase 2 norms, as well as E20 (80% petrol 20 % ethanol) flex fuel compliance by the first half of FY 2024. The Japanese bikemaker will also set up a new scooter assembly line in Vithalapur Factory, Gujarat with a capacity of producing 6 lakh vehicles.

Honda recently filed a design patent for a swingarm mounted motor (likely to be for the Honda Activa Electric) similar to the Hero Vida V1 electric scooter, which should be easier to maintain as compared to the usual hub-mounted motor. One of the upcoming EV products launching next year could flaunt this configuration. Head here to know more about the patent.