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| BENLY e: II [Image - global.honda] |
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (Honda), which is India's 2nd largest two-wheeler motor company, is launching its electric scooter next year. According to a report, the Japanese auto maker is already in the process of testing electric scooter BENLY e, which is developed by Japanese parent Honda Motor, at the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
Speaking to Economic Times, Honda President Atsushi Ogata has stated that the customers will be "able to see an actual Honda EV product within the next financial year". He stated that the company has been examining the market of electric two-wheelers in the country already.
Ogata however did not shared key details of the upcoming electric scooter. Notably, Benly e electric scooter was spotted testing at the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) facility in Pune. It had made its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019.
Honda Motor globally has announced plans to launch three new EVs for personal use by 2024.
Speaking about e-scooter BENLY e, it is a business-use electric scooter models for corporate customers equipped with a 96V EV system which serially-connects two 48V MMPs, high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.
Developed with the concept of a "Business e: scooter perfect for everyday delivery services," BENLY e: Series is equipped with a compact EV-system that fits inside an easy-to-handle body size required for scooters used for various types of delivery services in Japan.
It is to be noted that Honda’s petrol-powered scooter - 'Activa' - is among India's most sold two-wheelers.
Recently in its press release, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. announced that the company has accomplished 5 crore cumulative two-wheeler domestic sales in the country since start of its sales operations in 2001.
Speaking about Electric Two-Wheelers in India, start-up Electric Vehicle (EV) companies like Ather, Simple and most recently Ola are already selling e-scooters across India. While conventional two-wheeler companies like Bajaj, TVS and Hero MotoCorp are still to make its presence felt. Though Bajaj has already launched an electric scooter, its availability and pricing have remained a matter of concern.
In May, it was reported that Hero Motocorp was planning to launch an electric two-wheeler by first half of 2022.