Honda to take EV plunge in India with two electric vehicles: Should Ola, Ather, TVS be worried? – EQ Mag
Honda Motorcycles and Scooter India (HMSI) has finally unveiled that it will be bringing multiple electric two-wheelers to India by next year. HMSI has unveiled that it will bring in two EV models in 2024, that will feature both fixed and swappable battery technology. It has further been confirmed that these electric two-wheelers will be launched in the mid-range segment, however, whether these will be in a scooter form factor or a motorcycle form factor has not been revealed yet. The company’s roadmap to enter into India’s growing EV sector is three-pronged and here are the details.
1. Factory E:
HMSI is developing a dedicated EV factory to manufacture the new line of products at the manufacturer’s Nalasupara plant in Karnataka. The facility will have the capacity to manufacture one million electric two-wheelers by 2030. The factory will boast of advanced automation capabilities and will operate on 100 percent renewable energy.
2. Platform E:
Honda’s new dedicated EV platform will serve as the foundation for multiple new models and support different drivetrains such as fixed battery and swappable battery platforms. Two mid-range electric two-wheelers are expected to be launched in 2024. The swappable battery models will be powered by Honda’s Mobile Power Pack E. Components for these EV models such as the battery packs, the PCU and the motor will also be ‘Made in India’.
3. Workshop E:
The after-sales experience of Honda electric two-wheelers will also be enhanced by equipping HMSI’s existing 6,000 touchpoints across the country with charging spots and EV service facility. In addition, battery charging solutions for customers will also be provided at strategically located petrol pumps, metro stations and other hotspots across the country.
In addition to the new EV business, HMSI is also completing the transition of its entire two-wheeler line-up to comply with OBD2 regulations and E20 fuel blend compliance by H1 2024. HMSI also plans to expand its export portfolio to 58 countries with 20 models. A new scooter assembly line is also being set up at the Vithalapur factory in Gujarat, with a capacity to produce 6 lakh units annually.
Source: PTI
