Kawasaki plans for all-electric operations by 2035

Kawasaki Motors has claimed it will go all-electric by 2035, signalling an end to the Japanese marque’s petrol-powered motorcycle range. The move is part of the company’s goal of becoming carbon neutral.

The claims were made in a ‘Business Policy Briefing’ published on October 6 2021. According to the document, the Japanese firm will produce an entirely electric range from 2035 that will include battery-powered motorcycles, as well as hybrid electric motorcycles.

Kawasaki also says that it will introduce at least 10 electric models by 2035. Additionally, the company will also produce electric off-road four-wheel vehicles (UTVs), with five models to be introduced by 2025.

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While much of the public electric motorcycle conversation has been focused on full battery-powered machines, it appears Kawasaki is looking closely at alternative options such as hybrid and hydrogen power. The brand hinted at a hybrid motorcycle in December 2020.

The promise of a radical move to electric comes after Kawasaki Heavy Industries decided to separate its motorcycle and powersports operations into a new company called Kawasaki Motors Limited. The newly-formed company includes motorcycles, off-road four-wheelers, PWCs, and general-purpose engines. It also uses the historic River Mark as its logo.

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Kawasaki is one of the first major motorcycle manufacturers to commit publicly to an all-electric future. With environmental and climate change issues become increasingly more pressing, major companies across the globe are preparing for significant changes.

Electric start-ups like Tesla continue to emerge both in the automotive and motorcycle industries, meaning established players like Kawasaki must quickly adapt to stay relevant.

Many European nations have already indicated that fossil fuel-powered vehicles will be completely banned by as early as 2030.

The motorcycle industry has been a little slower than the car industry to embrace electric technology. Of the major motorcycle manufacturers, only Harley-Davidson has taken the plunge so far with its LiveWire and the new LiveWire spin-off brand.