Honda India Wants To Team Up With Rivals To Develop Electric Two-wheelers

Focus to be on developing a standardised platform for battery tech as well as charging infrastructure

• Honda’s goal is to develop electric two-wheelers in India.
• The company says that 2025 is too early for 100 per cent electrification.
• Internationally, Honda has already joined hands with Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha to develop sustainable electric mobility. 

Japanese bike maker Honda wishes to team up with its rivals to develop electric two-wheelers and the necessary charging infrastructure in India. As of now, no formal decision has been made by the company, but there’s a possibility that it might join hands with other big Indian bike makers such as Bajaj or TVS. Internationally, Honda has already joined hands with Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha to develop swappable battery technology. 

This news comes weeks after India’s think tank committee suggested that two-wheelers under the 150cc segment should be electrified by 2025. In a recent interview, Minoru Kato, President and CEO of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India, said, “2025 is too early for having 100% electric.” Honda is not the only one who has been vocal about this decision. Bike makers such as Bajaj, TVS and Honda too have shown concern about India’s plan to go fully electric. Currently, bike makers are gearing up to add BS6-compliant models to their product lineup. 

The current electric infrastructure in India is still in a very nascent stage. Companies like Ather with its Ather Grid and 22Kymco with its swappable battery technology could prove beneficial in the future. 

Source: Times of India