A lot of the new electric two-wheeler innovations we’ve been seeing in recent years have come mostly from new players which were mostly previously unheard of. And unfortunately, a lot of these companies have been forced to shut down due to a myriad of financial issues.
But one thing a lot of these companies had in common was that they were perhaps simply dreaming too big. Companies like Sondors and Fuell revealed highly sophisticated and futuristic two-wheelers which were just trying to be too many things all at once. Plus, the fact that these brands pretty much had zero track record in the motorcycle industry didn’t really help, either.
But now we’re seeing mainstream players join the electric scene in full force. We’ve seen it with Kawasaki’s Z and Ninja E-1, and now, with Honda, and its CUV e:, a simple, no-frills electric scooter.
Honda’s been making headlines recently when it comes to its electric initiatives. At EICMA, Big Red unveiled two EV motorcycle concepts, and not long after, announced that it was investing heavily in solid-state battery technology. All while Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: has been proving its versatility in Europe and Japan, powering everything from construction equipment to light EVs to electric tourist boats.
And now, Honda has brought the CUV e: to Europe, and I think it’s an electric scooter that could change the game.
Why? Well, because it’s simple. You see, the CUV e: isn’t really trying to be anything other than a practical, utilitarian scooter that wants to get you from point A to B. It’s everything everyone has come to know and love about scooters, and it just so happens to be electric.
It gets a flat floorboard for you to put some stuff on, a comfortable seating position, a cubby hole up front, and the option to install a selection of practical accessories like a top case, luggage rack, and windscreen. Sure, it boasts connectivity tech like Honda’s RoadSync and built-in navigation. But it doesn’t go overboard with tons of tech simply for the sake of tech. Best of all, it’s powered by a tried and tested powertrain that puts the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: in the spotlight once again.
With all the crazy things going on in the electric motorcycle industry, the Honda CUV e: certainly looks like a breath of fresh air. The fact that it’s made by one of the biggest and most trusted manufacturers in the world is a big plus, too. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I were asked whether I’d choose a Honda EV scooter or some Chinese knockoff EV scooter, you can bet I’d pick the Honda. Even if it cost twice that of the Chinese scooter.
To that end, how Honda prices this thing will indeed be a very important factor when considering its potential success. Nevertheless, Honda has proven that it knows how to make value-packed two-wheelers, and chances are the CUV e:’s price will reflect this, too.
Source: Honda
