Honda Shocks EV Market: No Electric Motorcycles Planned, Focus Stays on Scooters Only!”
In a bold and strategic move, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has confirmed that it is not entering the electric motorcycle market anytime soon, stating that “electric motorcycles do not really make sense.” Instead, the company is doubling down on its electric scooter portfolio, aiming to capture over 50% of India’s addressable EV market in the next 12 months.
Why Honda is Betting Only on Electric Scooters
While legacy ICE players like TVS, Hero MotoCorp, and Royal Enfield are entering the electric motorcycle segment, Honda is taking a different route. According to Yogesh Mathur, Director of Sales and Marketing at HMSI:
“The EV market, 99% of it, is scooter-dominated. Motorcycle users are a completely different segment. It makes sense for us to focus only on scooters.”
Honda recently launched two electric scooters:
- Activa E – featuring swappable battery technology to prevent long-term battery degradation.
- Honda QC1 – a light, compact scooter tailored for urban riders, especially women commuters.
EV Expansion Strategy: From 21 to 100+ Cities in One Year
HMSI currently operates in just 21 cities, but plans to expand its EV network to 100+ cities by 2026. With 6,500+ dealerships, Honda is executing a phased rollout, upgrading outlets with EV tools, trained staff, and infrastructure to ensure a seamless ownership experience.
The company aims to produce 2.2 lakh electric two-wheelers annually and already has three new EV models in development. Honda’s dedicated EV plant in Karnataka, expected to go live by 2028, will anchor its long-term production capabilities.
Why Honda Isn’t Rushing into Electric Motorcycles
Despite growing buzz around electric motorcycles from startups like Revolt, Ultraviolette, Ola Electric, and Oben Electric, Honda believes the category lacks market readiness. The challenges include:
- Higher battery capacity needs
- Long-range requirements
- Low existing market demand
Parallel Green Strategy: Flex-Fuel and Carbon Neutral Goals
In addition to EVs, HMSI is betting on E85 flex-fuel technology, already launched with the CB300F. The company is targeting carbon neutrality for all products by 2040, and complete operations neutrality by 2050, in line with global goals.