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Honda Motor Co. is accelerating its global ambitions for electric two-wheelers, announcing plans to launch 30 new EV motorcycle models by 2030 as it sets its sights on becoming the world’s top electric motorcycle manufacturer.
A key pillar of this strategy is a dedicated EV production plant in India, slated to begin operations in 2028. This facility will produce modular, affordable electric models for domestic and global markets.
It will also support the rollout of models like the CUV e, which is scheduled for launch in Europe and Japan and may follow in India. Honda Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe emphasized that the India plant will be central to strengthening the company’s electric motorcycle business structure through high-efficiency, localized manufacturing tailored to price-sensitive markets.
“Honda will modularize models developed exclusively as electric models and begin production at a highly efficient and dedicated electric motorcycle production plant, which will become operational in India in 2028,” the company stated during its strategy meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday.
India at the Center of Honda’s Two-Wheeler Electrification Drive
India—the world’s largest two-wheeler market—is positioned at the heart of Honda’s EV transition. With 20.57 million motorcycles sold in FY2025, Honda commands a 40% global market share and aims to increase that to 50% by FY2031. Electric vehicles will play a pivotal role in achieving this target, particularly in growth markets like India.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) will serve as both a production base and innovation hub. The company plans to launch its first electric scooter, the Activa e:, by March 2025, followed by the CUV e: and other mass-market offerings. By 2030, HMSI aims to derive 15% of its total sales from electric vehicles, aligning with India’s broader push toward clean mobility.
Modular EV Design for Affordability and Scale
To enable competitive pricing and faster deployment, Honda is developing a modular EV architecture that will underpin many of its upcoming two-wheeler models. This strategy is central to the company’s efforts to reduce costs and gain scale in cost-conscious markets across Asia and Latin America.
The India-based plant—likely to be located in Karnataka—will specialize in modular designs and act as a production hub for both local demand and exports. Products like the QC1, ICON e:, and CUV e: are expected to cater to urban commuters and first-time EV adopters.
Backed by Strategic Investment
Despite a 24.5% decline in net profit to 835.84 billion yen (USD 5.65 billion) in FY2025, impacted by U.S. tariffs and a stronger yen, Honda’s motorcycle division delivered record sales of 20.57 million units and a 40% global market share. This strong performance continues to underpin Honda’s broader transformation and electrification journey.
The company also maintains a balanced approach by investing in ICE upgrades for better fuel efficiency and expanding its flex-fuel-compatible lineup to meet diverse regulatory and customer requirements, particularly in the Global South. These efforts support Honda’s goal of capturing a 50% global motorcycle market share by FY2031.
Honda’s competitive position in India’s EV space will depend on how well it can challenge established players such as Ola Electric, Bajaj, and TVS, which have already gained ground with value-driven, localized offerings.
To counter this, Honda is embracing a “local production for local consumption” strategy that leverages India’s cost advantage while maintaining global manufacturing standards. It also plans to strengthen its EV charging infrastructure and after-sales support—key enablers for building consumer confidence in emerging EV markets.
A Unified Vision for Electrified Mobility
Honda’s electric motorcycle roadmap aligns with its broader carbon neutrality goal for 2050. Beginning in 2027, a new “H mark” logo will appear on all EV and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) models, symbolizing its pivot to intelligent and sustainable mobility solutions.
With 30 electric models in the pipeline, a modular strategy, and India as a global production anchor, Honda is gearing up to lead the next era of two-wheeled mobility. Its EV strategy combines scale, affordability, and local relevance in a bold bid to capture the No. 1 position in the global electric motorcycle market.
This article first appeared on Autocar
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