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.

Related Content

  • January 13, 2017
    Electric boats and ships 2017-2027: Large market emerging, says IDTechEx
    Analysts at IDTechEx have issued a new report, Electric Boats and Ships 2017-2027 looking at this fragmented but often highly profitable and growing sector. It says there are already over 100 manufacturers of electric boats and ships. The report finds that the market for hybrid and pure electric boats and ships will rise rapidly to over US$20 billion worldwide in 2027 for non-military versions. The recreational boat market is the largest and fastest growing electric marine market in sales number, followe
    Read More
  • July 13, 2015
    Winners in electric vehicle batteries
    According to market analyst IDTechEx, which tracks the development of 45 electric vehicle categories and not just electric cars, there are now lithium-ion battery options for everything from forklifts and mobility vehicles for the disabled to e-bikes. Indeed, almost all the e-bikes in the West and Japan use them. 8000 forklifts in the USA have fuel cells with lithium-ion batteries though the Toyota Mirai fuel cell car and the Prius hybrid car still use NiMH. Whilst capturing market in micro hybrid cars,
    Read More
  • June 25, 2013
    BMW begins ActiveE project in China
    BMW Group recently brought its ActiveE program to China to prepare for the future commercialisation of electric vehicles in the country. Twenty Beijing residents selected to participate in the project received the keys to the all-electric car they will be driving over the next year. Fifteen users in the southern city of Shenzhen will also get cars at the end of June to give the company an idea of how the model operates in the city's hot, humid climate, balancing the results from the test in the cooler, dri
    Read More
  • December 11, 2020
    Gridserve unveils 'mass charging' EV forecourt
    Company says it can charge 36 EVs at once, adding 200 miles of range in 20 minutes
    Read More

Highlighted Content