Honda’s much touted EV-Cub electric concept bike, perhaps the logical evolution of the 20th century’s number one best-selling motorcycle, was spoken of again by Takahiro Hachigo, president and CEO of Honda Motor Co. during a press conference on February 24. The EV-Cub concept, based on the styling of the 1950’s Honda Cub, was last shown at the Auto Expo in India in early February, but had been making the rounds of various motor shows before then.
Hachigo said Honda is planning to introduce the EV-Cub as a mass-production model based on the design concept in about two years in the Japanese market initially. This will be followed by ASEAN, which is acknowledged by Honda as the largest market for the Cub series of underbone (kapchai) motorcycles.
This is in-line with Honda’s stated goal of reducing CO2 emissions via engineering design and technology in its vehicles, which includes down-sized turbo engines, plug-in hybrids, fuel-cell vehicles (FCVs), as well as electrification of lawn mowers and construction machinery.
Electric vehicles, especially scooters, make sense in the dense urban environments found across much of South-East Asia, where vehicle emissions make up a large part of pollutants found in such areas. Replacing the Cub’s petrol engine with an battery, and an electric motor in either or both wheels, the centre-of-gravity is placed low, making for an easy-handling, nimble scooter.
The battery itself is removable and can taken elsewhere for remote charging. Honda has, naturally, declined any comment on pricing, but it will be assumed it would have to be at or around current prices for Honda’s underbone category motorcycles in order to encourage the public to make the transition from the petrol-powered bikes they ride now to the EV-Cub.
I’ll pay an arm or leg to never purchase petrol ever again….
@pain de crucix: Start using a bicycle. But then, you still need two arm and two legs,….
What if you have a 30 km commute ?
What happened to MAI and their many eletric motobikes? Did MAI songlap all the money? MAI had so many different electric moto ventures and recommendations.
Ooh, typical MAI. One day say EEV, next day say no EEV but kentut ada.
When petrol prices drop and most motorcyclist only pump like 5 -10 ringgit petrol per week, I think EV motorcycle gonna be much more expensive to maintain then the normal, where u need to find place to charge and also maintain the battery.
After so so so many fricking years did malaysia has any regulations on electric bike/bicycle yet???
There r inherent pros & cons of e-bikes
Pros
Cleaner & cheaper on wallet.
Bike can be designed better with smaller motor & battery pack.
Cons
Too silent. Danger to pedestrian & others.
Best vehicle for snatch thieves.
Improper disposal of battery.
Perhaps thats why Gov is hesitant to allow e-bikes here
U r very coreect i afraid, can imagine the battery pack got stolen frequently after parked the eBike? Battery also more likely to explode like any handphone…
Obviously, Honda should also produce the petrol-engined version (Honda Super Cub) alongside the electric version. Electric powered bikes is still a novelty among the buying public, the majority of the sales will still be on petrol powered bikes. Refering to the current small commuter bikes retro theme is on the rise, such as the big selling neo-retro Piaggio Vespa lineup, Honda could not afford to miss this segment – Honda must first produce the the petrol-engined Honda Super Cub!
Rempit’s nightmare…
Kapcai… without sound!
Hahaha
On the bright side, snatch theft made much easier with a silent 2 wheeler
a lot of this will be on our road and hiways…
I look forward to this. To me Modenas attempt with CTric was a disappointment due to poor battery life (degrade from 60km range to less than 20km per full charge – in under 3 years). Hopefully this Honda e-cub isn’t that bad, and make its way here.
Mat Rempit will be drooling….