Honda EM1 e: electric scooter officially launched

Honda has officially launched its first production electric motorcycle, in the form of the Honda EM1 e: electric scooter, which you cannot buy.

The Honda EM1 e:'s name comprises three important points. First the "EM" stands for "electric moped", "1" indicates that it is Honda's first electric moped, and "e:" designates it as part of Honda's e-mobility range.

In terms of competition, it will go up against Yamaha's NEO's, which launched last year and remains technically unchanged for 2023, although it does get a new colour. 

To go into battle against its compatriot electric scooter, Honda's EM1 e: features  a 1.7kW/2.3 horsepower (at peak) motor that can achieve a top speed of 45kph (30mph), as well as Honda's own removable lithium-ion battery, called Honda Mobile Power Pack e:. This means a maximum range of 48km (30 miles) when using the ECON (presumably meaning 'economy') mode, although Honda notes that in WMTC Class 1 testing conditions the range was only 30km (18.6 miles).

The battery is also capable of charging from 25% to 75% in 160 minutes, and brings with it a new sales method. Instead of just walking into a Honda dealer and buying yourself an EM1 e:, you have to lease it. This, Honda says, is "To ensure customers do not have to take responsibility for the disposal or recycling of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:." When you do lease one, you can have it in any of the following three colours: "Pearl Sunbeam White", "Digital Silver Metallic", and "Matte Ballistic Black Metallic".

Braking on the EM1 e: will be done via a front disc brake and a rear drum which operate through a CBS system. There are also twin rear shock absorbers, telescopic front forks, and the whole bike weighs 95kg, including the 10kg battery.

When it comes to ergonomics, the Honda EM1 e: 3.3 litres of underseat storage, as well as a compartment in the left side of the fairing front sized to hold a 500ml bottle. There is also a USB port from which a phone can be charged, and a hook to hang a bag from. If more storage space is required, Honda has a 35-litre top box available as an add-on.

The official launch of the bike comes after Honda's commitment in September 2022 to produce at least 10 different electric powered two-wheeler (PTW) models by 2025.

Honda has not yet announced a launch date for the EM1 e:, or when it might arrive in dealers. Since it was announced at the end of last year, and has been officially revealed now, in mid-May 2023, it should be assumed that some time later in 2023 we will see them landing.

2023 Honda EM1 e: specifications

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