Honda Motor Co., Ltd. and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. have announced an agreement in which Honda will supply Yamaha with electric motorcycle models for the Japanese market, specifically based on Honda’s “EM1 e:” and “BENLY e: I” Class-1 models. This collaboration continues a partnership that began in 2016, when both companies started discussing a potential business alliance to address the challenges of stricter safety and emissions regulations, as well as the shift towards electrification. In 2018, Honda began supplying 50cc scooter models to Yamaha as an OEM, and this new agreement extends that relationship into the electric motorcycle market.
The partnership between Honda and Yamaha also extends to their work with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corporation in the Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles, formed in 2019. The Consortium’s efforts led to the standardization of swappable batteries in 2021, aiming to address key issues like range and charging time. The latest agreement between Honda and Yamaha involves the use of Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: swappable battery, aligning with these standardized specifications. This collaboration is expected to enhance the electric motorcycle offerings in the Class-1 category in Japan, with both companies committed to improving range, charging time, performance, and cost, contributing to the broader goal of achieving a carbon-neutral society.
