Honda to Launch E-Rickshaw Battery Swapping, New E-Motorcycles in India

Japan-based carmaker Honda has revealed its plans to establish a battery-sharing service for e-rickshaws in India. Honda said that it will achieve the task by the end of 2022. The maker has also launched its electric two-wheelers in India.

The company said in a statement, “In India, Honda is planning to begin its battery sharing service for electric tricycle taxis (so-called rickshaws) by the end of this year.”

Honda also looks to bring flex-fuel bike models into India by next year to realise its carbon neutrality goals by 2050.  Besides, it will also launch more than 10 electric motorcycle models by 2025 across the world. The objective is to heighten its annual sales of EVs to 1 million units in five years and 3.5 million units by 2030. Honda is currently selling Electric Mopeds (EMs) and electric bicycles in China.

Honda added, “However, the market is gradually expanding in other countries as well. In India, for example, sales of EVs (high speed electric two-wheelers), alongside convenient and affordable EMs, is increasing dramatically due to the government’s policies to promote the pursuit of carbon neutrality.”

Trajectory From Here   

Honda has revealed that it is looking to popularise battery-sharing in other Asian nations. The automaker is working on standardisation of swappable batteries, and it is already working with a partner in India to realize the establishment of the standardisation of swappable batteries.

Honda is also participating in Swappable Batteries Motorcycle Consortium (SBMC) to step up the adoption of EVs. It mentioned in the statement that its initiatives on advancing the internal combustion engine vehicles will go on as it looks to cut down on carbon emission.

The company added, “In addition to Brazil, where flex-fuel (E100) motorcycle models are already available, Honda plans to introduce flex-fuel models in India, as well, one of the major motorcycle markets. The plan is to first introduce flex-fuel (E20) models beginning in 2023, and flex-fuel (E100) models in 2025.”