Honda electric motorcycle to reach market 'about two years from now'
Amid a doom and gloom filled year-end speech yesterday, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui offered one ray of hope: motorcycles. After announcing that both the NSX supercar and Formula One racing programs were being cancelled, he went on to say, "History shows that motorcycles remain strong in a difficult market environment and have always supported Honda in difficult times. People showed renewed interest in the value of motorcycles which consume less fuel for commuting purposes as well as for their easy-to-own/easy-to-use efficiency." He then went on to give details of a new electric motorcycle."Honda is currently developing a battery-powered electric motorcycle which emits no CO2 during operation, because the characteristics of a battery can be better utilized in the area of motorcycles, which are often used for short distance travel. Honda is aiming to introduce this electric motorcycle to the market about two years from now," Fukui revealed.
Further details of the machine aren't readily available, but we can glean some details from the brief announcement. Based on the phrase "often used for short distance travel" we can expect the machine to be a practical, utilitarian scooter that'll be targeted at commercial users and urban commuters. Don't expect a groundbreaking sportsbike, but rather a practical, cheap to run, cheap to buy scooter or small, basic motorcycle.
Despite economic conditions, 2010 and 2011 are shaping up to be exciting years for Honda; in addition to the electric motorcycle, Honda has said that it's developing a gasoline/electric hybrid motorcycle for 2011, a dual-clutch motorcycle transmission and a new flagship based on the V4 concept.
Honda
Wes Siler. December 18, 2008 — Permalink
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and now they're out of the AMA next year. eff a honda.
GO HONDA!
If this had come down the line from American Honda I wouldn't be impressed. They've been claiming big things for the past 5 years with squat to really write home about. However, hearing this come from the boys in the head office, makes me think someone woke up Mr. Honda, and asked for his advice. Hopefully they cut the market research department and bean counters in their efforts to reduce costs and went back to listening to the things that made them a great company to begin with, their gut instincts.
Perhaps Honda should take a leaf out of this bike's book:
http://flickr.com/photos/tainacat/2866767029/
A dude working on Granville Island in Vancouver uses this home-brew Honda-based electric bike to commute. Gets about four hours' highway riding time out of a charge, apparently. And it is dead simple.
I think they could get a lot of positive attention if they made something like a two-wheeled Tesla Roadster and gave people an idea what it would be like to have a reasonably light electric sportsbike. I wouldn't be surprised if we got something more than a little commuter.