Honda launches electric scooter

Honda is introducing its new EV-neo electric scooter in Europe. The scooter was launched with a demonstration and short test ride at Honda’s innovative Safety Centre, based at the Montesa Honda factory in Barcelona, Spain. Initially introduced as a concept model at the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, the EV-neo attracted interest and lease sales of the model started in Japan in April 2011. The scooter is primarily aimed at use by delivery services. However, the EV-neo can also provide for recreational use as well as
April 17, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
1683 Honda is introducing its new EV-neo electric scooter in Europe. The scooter was launched with a demonstration and short test ride at Honda’s innovative Safety Centre, based at the Montesa Honda factory in Barcelona, Spain. Initially introduced as a concept model at the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, the EV-neo attracted interest and lease sales of the model started in Japan in April 2011.

The scooter is primarily aimed at use by delivery services. However, the EV-neo can also provide for recreational use as well as have the durability necessary for business use. Initial feedback suggests that users appreciate its low noise, emission free clean exhaust and quick charge system. Honda Japan is expecting to sell approximately 1,000 EV-neos in the first year.

The EV-neo is also being used in Honda Electric Vehicle Testing Programmes in Kumamoto and Saitama prefectures in Japan. These testing programmes, which include motorcycles, automobile and power equipment products based on electromotive technologies, will help to test future forms of personal mobility and their potential in CO2 reduction, as part of Honda’s ‘Road to Zero Emissions’ commitment for machines while in use.

In the Kumamoto Programme, EV-neo scooters are rented to residents and tourists to provide feedback on their use and benefits and in Saitama they are leased to delivery companies. A trial demonstration and evaluation programme in conjunction with 4969 Barcelona City Council will further get underway from the beginning of July 2011, which will see 18 EV-neos in use around the city for a period of one year. This also represents a significant step in Honda’s European electric vehicle trial and development programme and Montesa Honda, Barcelona City Council and 4970 RACC - Spain's leading Automobile Club - will work together to carry out daily research and monitoring activities on the EV-neo’s usage in Barcelona.

The EV-neo battery electric scooter operates using a 2.8kw motor and Lithium-ion battery and has a range of 34km at 30km/h on level ground. On top of its excellent environmental performance - zero emissions in use, in particular CO2 - the EV-neo uses a motor that even with cargo loaded, generates high torque in the low-speed range to achieve a powerful start and hill-climbing performance. This in-house manufactured motor adopts the Insight technology from Honda's leading hybrid automobile, and an exclusively developed quick charger enabling full recharge in 30 minutes in an optimum 25°C environment.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Multi-billion dollar market revealed for electric motorcycles
    August 15, 2014
    The new report by IDTechEx, Electric Motorcycles and Three Wheel Electric Vehicles 2015-2025 reveals a market value of over US$12 billion for electric motorcycles including e-scooters and maxi scooters in 2025 - a market nearly five times greater than that for e-bikes with pedals. The big stories this year are car-like MicroEVs, the first category to be aimed primarily at emerging nations, and electric motorcycles, including e-maxi scooters and three wheel motorcycles. Electric motor cycles and thre
    Read More
  • UK government to fund carbon-cutting truck trials
    April 25, 2012
    Truck operators have been invited to apply for a slice of US$15.34 million provided for industry trials of carbon-cutting trucks by the UK Department for Transport and the Technology Strategy Board. A competition opened yesterday for applications under the ‘Low carbon truck demonstration trial’ which will deliver fleets of low-emission heavy goods vehicles as well as supporting infrastructure such as fuelling stations and electric recharging hubs.
    Read More
  • Tata Motors to supply 40 e-buses to India
    February 18, 2019
    Tata Motors is to deploy 40 electric buses to Lucknow City Transport Services in India to support the government’s efforts for promoting electric vehicles (EVs). The delivery is part of a larger order in which 255 e-buses will be delivered to six public transport undertakings including WBTC (West Bengal), LCTSL (Lucknow), AICTSL (Indore), ASTC (Guwahati), J&KSRTC (Jammu) and JCTSL (Jaipur). Tata says its Ultra Electric buses will have a range of up to 150km on a single charge and will operate between
    Read More
  • Industrial and commercial electric vehicles: biggest market biggest profit, says report
    July 22, 2016
    The new IDTechEx report, Industrial and Commercial Electric Vehicles on Land 2016-2026, provides an understanding of the EV business, hybrid and pure electric, which IDTechEx says will be responsible for around 60 per cent of the huge market of about $500 billion emerging in 2026. Indeed, it is and will remain more profitable than the highly competitive car market that gets all the press attention. The report gives information not available elsewhere, for example, putting the business in the context of w
    Read More

Highlighted Content