In a surprising move set to reshape the motorcycle industry landscape, Honda and Yamaha have announced a strategic partnership in the small-displacement electric motorcycle sector. This collaboration, the result of negotiations that began in 2016, marks a historic moment in the Japanese motorcycle industry.
According to identical statements released by both companies last month, Honda will supply Yamaha with electric motorcycle platforms based on their existing models: the EM1 e: and the BENLY e: I Class 1.
These motorcycles fall under the Japanese Class 1 category, which refers to light vehicles primarily for urban use, equivalent to 50cc mopeds or electric motors with a nominal power of up to 0.60 kW (about 1 hp).
This partnership is the latest development in the Swappable Battery Consortium for Electric Motorcycles, established in 2017 by Japan’s “Big Four”—Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha. The consortium aims to develop a common type of battery for small and medium-sized electric motorcycles.
The Honda EM1 e:, launched last May, offers a maximum power of 2.2 hp, weighs 95 kg (including the battery), has a range of 48 km, and requires six hours for a full recharge. The BENLY e: I, announced in 2019, has a longer range of 88 km, a recharge time of about four hours, a 3.6 hp motor, and weighs 125 kg.
While the EM1 is a sleek urban commuter, the BENLY e: I is a utility motorcycle aimed at small businesses and delivery services. It is still unclear how Yamaha will adapt these models, though they are expected to retain their core features.
The release date for the first models from this partnership has not yet been disclosed. However, the two Japanese giants confirmed that they will continue to work closely together to tackle the challenges of electric motorcycles, such as range, charging time, performance, and cost.
This unprecedented collaboration between two of the motorcycle industry’s biggest rivals signals a new era in two-wheeled electric mobility, promising to accelerate innovation and the adoption of electric vehicles in the sector.