Honda was a late entrant in the two-wheeler electric mobility space with the launch of the Activa e: and QC1 late last year. Realising the scope of growth in battery-powered two-wheelers in India and across the globe, the Japanese auto giant has expanded its focus to electric motorcycles.
After a recent patent leak online, it has become clear that the company is working on an entry-level electric motorcycle. This upcoming electric bike will reportedly be based on the Shine, one of the highest-selling commuter motorcycles in India. That said, Honda’s advent into the electric motorcycle segment shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Honda Shine Electric: What to expect?
At last year’s EICMA in Milan, Honda showcased the EV Fun concept that is expected to be developed into a production model later this year. However, this model will be very different from the upcoming entry-level electric motorcycle. The patent applications reveal that the bike is built around the same chassis as the Honda Shine sold in India. Hence, expect a similar design as the petrol-powered Shine.
Given that it’s based on an existing platform, this will bring down development and manufacturing costs for the electric motorcycle significantly since most of the components are carried over from the combustion engine model. To develop this electric model, Honda’s patent filings reveal a straightforward design featuring a compact motor paired with a single-speed reduction gear transmission.
This setup mounts directly onto the existing brackets used by the Shine’s internal combustion engine. Positioned above the motor are two removable lithium-ion battery packs, angled forward to mimic the orientation of a traditional engine’s cylinders. Due to spatial constraints, the batteries are mounted on either side of the bike’s spine frame on dedicated trays that integrate the electrical connectors.
Notably, the space between the two battery packs serves a dual purpose in one of Honda’s patents—it acts as a channel for airflow, directing cooling air through the batteries and onto the electronic control unit located behind them, in the area typically reserved for the engine’s intake system and air filter.
Besides new models, Honda is also working on expanding its battery swapping network in India. For reference, the Activa e: is offered with two swappable batteries. That said, we don’t expect Honda to offer swappable batteries with the upcoming Shine electric as the patent suggests a conventional fixed battery setup. More details around the electric motorcycle are expected to surface in the foreseeable future.
