Electrification is a coming thing, whether petrol heads would like to admit it or not, and the motorcycle world is no different, with the impending launch of the 2018 Honda PCX Hybrid scooter in Malaysia. Slated to be happening somewhere “around the last quarter,” and if things go to plan, will be Boon Siew Honda’s (BSH) first foray into the area of hybrid two-wheelers in the local market.
While there are many pure electric motorcycles (e-bikes) in the market, it is unfortunate charging infrastructure is still lagging. This is notably so for e-bikes, which usually do not have the space to carry long charging cables to reach a charging point which might be inconveniently located.
In the case of the PCX Hybrid, Honda has combined the standard petrol engine with an electric drive. While details have been scarce on exactly how this was achieved within the small form factor of an urban scooter, Honda would only say “the compact hybrid system employs a high-output battery and ACG starter to assist the engine.”
Not much else was available in the way of information, but Honda has stated that the PCX Hybrid, as well as the battery powered PCX Electric, will only be sold in the Asian market in 2018. In Malaysia, the current model 2017 Honda PCX with 149 cc single-cylinder, 12.5 hp engine is priced at RM11,568.
Meanwhile, during the BSH media gathering held at the Sepang International Circuit, where Malaysian journalists were given the chance to ride the RC213V-S, it was announced that sales had increased by 18% compared to the previous year. Datuk Sri Tan Hui Jing, deputy chairman of BSH, said, “2018 is an important year for BSH to take a big step and move back to leadership position in the market. We are targeting to introduce around 10 brand new models and will certainly surprise everyone with our product lineup.”
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Dont waste time on this fail product. This PCX will not able to beat the Yamaha Nmax and Aro.
Get the Fonza 150cc into the malaysia market with the double helmet compartmentstorage and adjustable wind shield to beat your competitor.
Your honda PCX no longer relevant in malaysia even with the hybrid version.(how much petrol you can safe for this small CC scooter?) haha
Dont waste time on this fail product. This PCX will not able to beat the Yamaha Nmax and Aro.
Get the Fonza 150cc into the malaysia market with the double helmet storage compartment and adjustable wind shield to beat your competitor.
Your honda PCX no longer relevant in malaysia even with the hybrid version.(how much petrol you can safe for this small CC scooter?) haha
Hybrid means must use leg to cycle to charge battery and than later use the petrol+battery to power it.
Bring 250cc cruisers from Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki.
Price it below RM 20k. It will sell well..
Rasanya tak mungkin model hybrid/electric ni masuk Malaysia. Tengok kat Thailand dengan Indonesia hari tu pun cuma launch yang enjin petrol saja.
Just bring the Forza 150 into Malaysia.
Hybrid for a 150cc is a non sense especially for Malaysian market
A hybrid bike does not really make much sense. The petrol variant is already very fuel efficient and having a hybrid, while vastly improving fuel efficiency, absolutely kills its big advantage of underseat storage. The batteries will take up all that space which means users will have install top boxes (which are unwieldy and easily stolen) just to make up for the ‘lost’ storage space.
It just makes more sense to bring in the Forza 150 or better yet, the 250 variant to cater to B2 licence holders. Just look at Yamaha’s XMAX250… last I checked, most shops have waiting list for it. Some of my friends have been waiting for it for months (since it launched). There’s definitely a market out there for Forza 250.
The Hybrid version of PCX has been launched in Indonesia, which also equipped with ABS. Please take a trip there to review, hence can compare to our version when introduced later.
Please compare combined braking system version to the ABS version.