Greetings and welcome back to the InsightEV Weekender. Here, I like to focus on things we did not cover during the week.
If you miss the Weekender on certain weekends, it means we did not publish—it is because there was nothing noteworthy that I should send to distract you from a fine weekend.
This week is different, though, and I have a lot to talk about.
Honda’s Patent for Low-Cost Electric Motorcycle
In a major development from yesterday, Honda’s freshly filed patents for a low-cost electric motorcycle have surfaced. This is very important for emerging markets, especially India, where low-cost commuter motorcycles outsell scooters 2:1.
Even more interesting, the electric motorcycle is based on the Indian market Honda Shine 100, an entry-level ICE commuter motorcycle that is fast gaining popularity in the local market.
The Shine is a basic motorcycle, and Honda plans to carry forward the frame and many of the cycle parts in the electric variant.
From other parts of the patent application, it is clear that the company plans to use two swappable battery packs (Honda MPPs) in the Shine EV.
Since the extraction of the batteries would foul with the top spine of the frame, Honda has created an offset for the packs on both sides of the frame. They lean forward much like the vertical cylinder head in the Shine 100. The offset position creates an air-flow channel between the two packs, allowing cooling of electronics components placed behind the pack.
There is more that we can make from the patent drawings, but I would leave you with Ben Purvis’s excellent coverage in Cycle World. We would return with a weekly analysis on what we can make out of Honda’s plans in India, the world’s biggest two-wheeler market, where Honda is still taking baby steps.
Livewire may have a Spark
It was a week of surprises because Livewire suddenly popped up two very important concepts at the Harley-Davidson homecoming event. The concepts are 125cc equivalent motorcycles – a street bike and a trail bike.
While specifications are not yet revealed, it appears from the pictures that the street bike has smaller wheels (maybe 15″) and a more minibike stance.
Livewire says that both motorcycles would be energised with removable batteries. This is interesting considering Livewire’s existing models use the fixed pack as a structural element. Even the new concepts have the frame elements bolted onto the battery casing, so it’s an interesting design element.
Both motorcycles use very bare-bones yet bold design elements, with the frame elements playing an important role in the aesthetics. The styling leans towards the Super 73 style fat tire bikes, especially in the treatment of chassis members on top of the battery pack.
Livewire executives have claimed 160 km range and an 85 kph top speed capability, competent numbers for what appear to be fun, commuting motorcycles.
The two concepts appear to be in much more advanced stages than the two touring scooters that Livewire teased during EICMA. We believe that, just like with the two scooters, KYMCO would be involved in the two motorcycles.
The beginner’s market is an important segment in North America, till now left to Chinese import brands like Sur-Ron. The two motorcycles would also allow Livewire to participate in other emerging electric motorcycle markets, particularly Europe.
The electric minibike is the next big playground in the market, with Zero working on one with the Neutrino concept, and other participants also preparing some.
Where is the E2W Tesla?
Meanwhile, we have just concluded a three-week analysis where we questioned the lack of a Tesla-level success in the electric motorcycle industry.
We recognized that Tesla has multiple edges over its competition that make the car and energy company a formidable leader of the pack. Meanwhile, almost no participant in the electric motorcycle industry can draw such a parallel.
If scale is an edge, then there is no one close to Yadea (and other Chinese majors like Luyuan and AIMA). But the Chinese are good suppliers to white labelers, not focused on their own brand names. However, with Yadea’s new focus on technology and pushing its own brand, could the tide be turning?
That’s a wrap for today. This newsletter will be back next Sunday. The posts on the website are more frequent. This is your editor, and you may view my LinkedIn profile here.
