In September 2022 Honda announced its plans to introduce 10 or more electric two wheelers globally by 2025. And here’s the first of the batch, the EM1 e:.
The EM1 e: is Honda’s first two-wheeled electric vehicle for Europe, and it’s aimed at the urban commuting market, with the EM standing for Electric Moped.
The bike features a steel underbone frame, telescopic forks, twin shock absorbers and disc front/drum rear brakes. There’s also pillion footpegs, side stand, digital dash, 3.3-litre underseat storage space and USB charging socket. A 35-litre top box and rear carrier will be available as an optional accessory.
The electric in-wheel motor with its 1.7kW output gets the lithium-ion juice from Honda’s own Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, which can be removed for recharging using a bespoke charging unit (160 minutes to charge from 25% to 75%). Usable range is 25 miles with a top speed of 28mph.
The EM1 e: together with the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: and charger will be available to lease or rent, so you won’t have to worry about recycling the bike or the battery in the future.
Seat height is a very manageable 740mm, and weight including the battery is 95kg.
Tyres are sized 90/90-12 front and 100/90-10 rear. The brakes are linked by Combined Brake System (CBS), so when the rear brake is activated, CBS distributes braking power to the front caliper.
With the EM1 e: Honda join Yamaha, who introduced the Neo’s electric moped last year, as well as Chinese brands like NIU and Super Soco in competing in the electric urban mobility market. And with plenty more electric two wheelers planned for the near future, Honda is only just getting started.
