New Honda CEO promises three electric motorcycles by 2024

New global Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe has promised three personal-use electric motorcycles by 2024. He announced the news during his inaugural press conference in Tokyo.

Mibe, who stepped into the role on April 1, also stated that Honda’s automobile division will be entirely electric by 2040. Honda’s strategy involves increasing the ratio of EV’s and fuel cell vehicles within overall sales to 40% by 2030, and to 80% by 2035.

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Additionally, by 2050, the company is hoping to achieve carbon neutrality for all its products and corporate activities, as well as zero traffic fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles.

According to Mibe, Honda is striving to lead the motorcycle industry in environmental initiatives. This includes not only electrification, but also the improvement of the fuel efficiency of gasoline engines, utilization of biofuels, and other strategies.

One focus for Honda in electrification, is to consider the battery separately from the motorcycle. The company recently signed a letter of intent with KTM, Piaggio and Yamaha, to collaborate on swappable battery technology, which will help with range and cost issues.

Part of Honda’s plan is to normalise battery swapping stations and ensure convenience by making them compatible with EV’s of other makers.

Honda has already explored battery swapping technology with its Mobile Power Pack, which is set to feature in its line of ‘business’ scooters – which includes the Benly e and Gyro e – later this year.

In addition to the electric ‘business’ scooters, the company is planning to release three personal-use electric motorcycles by 2024, in classes with engine sizes below 50cc and below 125cc. It also plans to introduce new products in the ‘Fun’ category.

Hydrogen is also part of Honda’s electric strategy, with the company having a long history of researching, developing, and commercializing fuel cell technologies.

Honda’s mission for zero traffic collision fatalities by 2050 involves significant research into safety technologies that enable ‘motorcycles and automobiles to safely coexist’.