The company’s intentions for an incredibly affordable electric motorcycle that combines a tried-and-true chassis with a basic electric drivetrain are clearly seen in Honda’s patent filings. It provides a clear indication of how the most successful motorcycle manufacturer in the world intends to compete in the emerging electric motorcycle industry.
According to Honda’s latest patent filings, the bike is based on the well-known Honda Shine 100 platform, which is the company’s best-selling commuter in India. It is redesigned in electric form for an affordable urban mobility solution of the future.
The Shine’s robust frame and chassis mounting points are repurposed in Honda’s patent illustrations to accommodate a small battery system and electric motor. Similar to the original gasoline-powered commuter bike, a mid-motor drives the rear wheel through a single-speed reduction gear and chain, taking the place of the engine.
Two lithium-ion battery packs, tilted forward on either side of the spine frame and seamlessly integrating into the existing geometry, are used in place of a conventional gasoline tank.
The platform of the bike disclosed in this patent is even more intriguing than its ingenious packing. Honda can drastically reduce development costs, manufacturing complexity, and market pricing by utilising the well-proven Shine chassis. That’s a hefty claim considering that simplicity and dependability are essential for survival in price-sensitive countries like India. Additionally, Honda can significantly shorten the time to market from the moment the initiative receives final approval from the boardroom executives by leveraging an established platform.
Even down to a circular protrusion that resembles a petrol cap and is probably situated atop a fake tank, the design still appears to have styling that would be somewhat consistent with the Shine 100. Although it’s unclear if Honda intended for this to be the case, some electric motorcycles have previously concealed a charging outlet here, maintaining the shape and functionality of antiquated fuel tanks and fill ports.
Although it’s unclear what power level Honda might be aiming for, the Shine cycle, which served as the model for Honda’s invention, may offer some hints. With a top speed of 85 km/h (53 mph) and a 99 cc engine that produces about 7.3 horsepower (5.5 kW), the Honda Shine 100 is well established in the commuter motorcycle market.
Similar speeds of about 80–85 km/h (50–53 mph) would appear feasible because the electric motorcycle in Honda’s design would not likely aim for much better performance because it would significantly increase the required battery capacity.
Additionally, there doesn’t seem to be any active cooling, which would reduce the amount of electricity Honda would probably need on a constant basis. According to the patent, the two battery packs create a channel that leads to the speed controller and produces ducted cooling, which removes heat from the batteries and electronics without using more power.
This new design is only a part of Honda’s larger plan for electric two-wheelers. They introduced their entry-level EM1 e: and Activa e: scooters with portable battery packs and affordable prices. High-tech ideas, meanwhile, are pushing the boundaries. However, this Shine-based bike targets the core of popular affordability, a decision that is likely to appeal to millions of new electric riders in emerging nations like India, where tiny displacement motorcycles with a classic aesthetic are the norm.
Fans of Honda’s electric initiatives have great hope thanks to the company’s patents, even though the company hasn’t yet disclosed a schedule or price. With a sticker price probably far lower than $5,000, which is typically considered a floor for commuter electric motorcycles from big manufacturers, this could be the first really mass-market electric motorbike from a large OEM if scaled well. Additionally, it would significantly undercut models from companies like Harley-Davidson’s LiveWire and Zero, even as those companies scramble to release their own less expensive models.
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