Honda plans to sell four million electric scooters by 2030

Honda is raising its sales target for electric two-wheelers by half a million units by the end of this decade. The new target is to be achieved with significantly cheaper models - also thanks to LFP cells.

While Honda had forecast sales of 3.5 million electric two-wheelers per year last year, the Japanese manufacturer has now increased this target to four million units. By 2030, Honda plans to introduce 30 e-two-wheeler models and reduce costs by 50 per cent compared to current models with replaceable batteries.

From 2025, Honda also wants to introduce LFP cells for its electric two-wheelers, and solid-state batteries are also on the agenda for the medium to long term. Honda is investing 100 billion yen (the equivalent of 620 million euros) in the electrification of its two-wheelers over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025 and a further 400 billion yen from 2026 to 2030 – a total of around 500 billion yen, which corresponds to around 3.1 billion euros.

In addition to the cheaper cell chemistry, a modular platform should also help with the cost targets. The battery, drive unit and chassis are each to be modularized – by combining such modules, “diverse variations” are to be developed quickly. This should make it possible to meet the different needs of customers around the world – and reduce costs.

The Japanese company also wants to be profitable: The margin in the entire motorcycle business is expected to be ten per cent in 2030, with a five per cent margin targeted for electric two-wheelers. From 2031, however, electric motorcycles should also deliver a ten per cent margin.

According to Honda, it has launched three electric two-wheelers this year, including the Cub e model in China and the EM1e electric scooter in Japan and Europe. A new model based on the SCe: Concept, which was presented at the Japan Mobility Show, is set to follow in 2024. From 2025, “fun-oriented” electric vehicle models will then follow, including supersport motorcycles, naked bikes and off-road machines.

For new models coming onto the market in 2026, Honda will install a telematics control unit (TCU) and further expand its connectivity service. Not only will OTA updates then be possible, but Honda also wants to use the data obtained in this way to better understand user needs and incorporate this information into development.

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