Honda Files Patents For Commuter Electric Motorcycle

Honda is one of the few late entrants to the electric two-wheeler industry. In India, the company launched the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters more than a year ago. However, due to limited availability, Honda hasn’t quite been able to break into the market in a substantial way. Nevertheless, the Japanese two-wheeler giant has significant plans in the electric mobility space with a range of offerings in development.

One of them is a commuter electric motorcycle whose patent images went viral recently. As reported by Australian Motorcycle News, this entry-level electric motorcycle could be aimed at markets like India and Africa. Although electric scooters currently dominate the two-wheeler EV space, OEMs have recognised that a broader portfolio— including motorcycles —is essential to effectively penetrate developing markets.

Honda electric motorcycle patent: What’s on cards?

The patent filed by Honda shows a completely new design that indicates a production model. The bike seems to adopt a simple conventional steel backbone frame and the components also appear to be simple and conventional such as a dual-shock rear and a cable-operated drum brake at the front. Enhancing the bike’s overall simplicity is a round headlamp, a flat bench seat, and a tubular steel pillion grab rail. Front and rear fenders also feel very basic and conventional.

The design clearly hints at a budget electric motorcycle with a simple design and affordable components. What’s distinctive about this patent is the fact that it uses a small electric motor, a single-speed transmission and a pair of removable batteries instead of a single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The image reminds of the CD Dawn — one of the earlier collaborations between Hero and Honda in India.

Based on the patent drawings, the battery packs seem to be housed within a hinged metal cage. The cage can likely be rotated by 90 degrees to allow easy removal of the batteries. Dedicated locking mechanisms are expected to secure the packs in place, preventing removal without a key. The electric commuter bike is seen using a slimmer and rectangular battery pack as compared to the squared battery packs employed by Honda in the electric Activa.

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The patent visuals also reveal a slightly offset circular instrument cluster, complemented by what seems to be an additional display positioned above the fuel tank area, likely used to indicate battery charge levels. However, the patent images don’t reveal the presence of an on-board charger which suggests that Honda might use its swappable battery technology in this entry-level electric bike.

Not the first electric bike patent

This isn’t the first or the only time that Honda has filed a patent for a commuter electric motorcycle. Last year, the company filed patent applications for an electric bike which appeared to be a battery-powered derivative of the Honda Shine. However, there is no update on the development of this model from Honda yet. We expect more details to come our way in the coming months if and when these bikes reach closer to production.