Honda unveils debut electric bike

Home > Industry Analysis > Content

【Summary】Honda has unveiled its first electric bicycle, the Honda e-MTB Concept, at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. The e-bike features a realistic design and uses existing e-bike components, allowing Honda to focus on its appearance and structural design. The goal is to combine motorcycle and bicycle experiences, providing a new riding experience for mountainous terrain. As the e-bike market grows, more automakers are exploring it as a way to expand their market.

FutureCar Staff Nov 05, 2023 8:15 AM PT

Honda has joined other major automotive manufacturers by introducing its first electric bicycle, the Honda e-MTB Concept. The bike made its debut at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo, alongside other futuristic debuts from leading Japanese motorcycle companies and automakers.

The Honda e-MTB Concept stands out with its realistic design, resembling a downhill electric bike. Unlike some far-fetched e-bike concepts, Honda's design appears to have potential for production. This trend in e-bike concepts indicates that these designs may eventually become available for consumers.

One advantage of the Honda e-MTB Concept is its use of an existing Brose mid-drive motor. By utilizing established e-bike components, Honda was able to focus on the overall appearance and structural design of the bike, relying on companies with decades of experience in producing bike parts.

This full-suspension e-bike features a SRAM Eagle AXS drivetrain, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Fox suspension in the front and rear, a RockShox Reverb dropper seat post, DT Swiss XM 1700 wheels, and Maxxis Minion DHF tires.

Honda aimed to combine the experiences of motorcycles and bicycles in a single product capable of handling mountainous terrain. The company stated that the Honda e-MTB Concept expands the field of mobility in nature, allowing riders to easily navigate uphill with electric assistance and enjoy the thrill of mountain biking.

While Honda is not the first automaker or motorcycle manufacturer to explore electric bicycles, many others have recognized the potential for brand expansion in this market. Companies like Harley-Davidson, Porsche, Peugeot, GM, HUMMER, and Jeep have all ventured into the e-bike space, seeing it as a lucrative way to attract new customers and expand their transportation ecosystems.