In a significant move towards electrification, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that they have reached an agreement for Honda to supply Yamaha with electric motorcycle models for the Japanese market, based on the Honda “EM1 e:” and “BENLY e: I” Class-1 category models.
The collaboration between these two industry giants marks a pivotal step in their ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by stringent safety standards and emissions regulations in Japan. This partnership, rooted in discussions initiated in 2016, aims to popularize electric motorcycles in the Class-1 category, a segment that plays a crucial role in both personal mobility and business operations.
Honda will serve as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Yamaha, supplying models powered by the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: swappable battery, which adheres to the standardized specifications agreed upon by the Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles in March 2021. The consortium, which includes Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, was established to address key challenges such as range and charging time, paving the way for the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles.
This latest agreement between Honda and Yamaha underscores their commitment to expanding the electric motorcycle lineup in Japan and addressing the ongoing challenges in the sector. As both companies work together to enhance performance, reduce costs, and improve range and charging times, they aim to contribute significantly to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.
This partnership not only highlights the deepening alliance between Honda and Yamaha but also signals a transformative shift in Japan’s motorcycle market towards sustainable and environmentally-friendly mobility solutions.
