Honda produces electric motorbikes for "rival" Yamaha

Honda EM1 e electric motorbike

The latest announcement from Honda Global said that the Japanese car manufacturer will provide Yamaha with two class-1 motorcycle models named "EM1 e:" and "Benlt e:I".

This is surprising information for many people, because in the motorcycle market, Yamaha and Honda always compete fiercely in products and create exciting races. The cooperation between Honda and Yamaha can make the motorcycle market more and more boring.

According to Japan's road vehicle regulations, Class-1 vehicles include vehicles equipped with 2 or more wheels, with a total cylinder capacity of less than 50 cc, or with an electric motor with a power output of less than 0.6 kW.

Since October 2016, Honda and Yamaha have been discussing forming a business alliance to sell Class-1 motorcycles. This is a solution to comply with the regulations on safety standards as well as emissions that the Japanese Government is tightening.

Starting from March 2018, Honda began producing and delivering 50cc scooters to Yamaha as an OEM. In addition to Honda and Yamaha, in April 2019, Suzuki and Kawasaki also joined to form an alliance to replace batteries for electric motorbikes.

Honda EM1 e electric motorbike

In March 2021, manufacturers announced a joint agreement to standardize batteries for electric motorcycles. This means that electric motorcycles from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki all use the same battery and can be replaced and recharged at a single charging station.

Following the discussion, Honda will continue to supply Class-1 models, which use Honda Mobile Power Pack e: batteries, to Yamaha. This model will be developed by both companies in Japan, targeting both personal and commercial customers.

Honda and Yamaha also affirmed that they will continue to improve the electric motorbike production line, while continuing to solve the challenges that electric motorbikes are facing such as operating range, charging time, performance or operating costs.