by Honda’s first electric vehicle for young European riders has arrived. The EM1 e: includes an interchangeable Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, providing real comfort and fun, emission-free urban commuting.
An electric motor integrated in the wheel provides the required driving power – the useful range reaches 41.3 kilometers and the top speed it can develop reaches 45.0 km/h. Equipment includes a digital instrument panel, underseat storage, USB charging port, passenger footrest and rear rack.
Following Honda’s announcements in September 2022 of plans to introduce 10 or more electric two-wheelers globally by 2025, the EM1 e: is Honda’s first electric two-wheeler for European customers. It is also a notable first step towards achieving the company’s stated goal of carbon neutrality on all of its motorcycle models by the 2040s.
The acronym “EM” refers to the term Electric Moped, and this model is aimed at young people looking for a comfortable, fun and “clean” means of urban transport. It is compact, with a “step through” flat floor design and distinctive styling that highlights its unique differentiation and identity within the Honda range.
Ideal for short urban journeys and economical, silent and “clean” journeys to work or university, the EM1 e: fully meets modern expectations for urban commuting.
As local parking legislation in European cities restricts the use of traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs), it is only natural that the market for electric vehicle models will grow. Honda is now entering this market with a new and high quality proposition, aimed at both young drivers and commuters.
For an ordinary student, who can cover an average of 30 kilometers per day in the city, the EM1 e: is a convincing proposition, simple to drive and handle, silent and environmentally friendly.
And this is the first of many electric models expected.
The EM1 e: is a compact electric vehicle, easy to use and respectful of the environment with a fresh and young style but at the same time, it is mainly composed of elements that one would find in a classic scooter: the Tubular steel frame, telescopic fork, twin shocks and front disc/rear drum brakes are classic scooter features.
What’s really new is the in-wheel electric motor and Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: from Honda, which can be removed for easy charging at home using the dedicated charging unit.
The EM1 e: is fully equipped with a digital instrument panel, high quality switches, a large floor area, underseat storage and a USB charging port. It also has a passenger footrest, rear rack and side stand for easy parking.
The useful autonomy reaches 41.3 km and the maximum speed 45.0 km/h.
The selling method is also new. To ensure that customers do not have to take responsibility for disposal or recycling of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, the EM1 e: together with the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: and its charger, will be available under a leasing, rental or subscription program depending on the country. This will provide customers with complete assurance throughout the life of the EM1 e: both in terms of the continued performance of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: and its eventual disposal.
The 2023 (23YM) EM1 e: is offered in three modern color options:
Sunburst White Pearl
Digital Silver Metallic
Matte Ballistic Black Metallic
battery and charger
The EM1 e: is powered by the 50V Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, developed in-house by Honda with the same uncompromising commitment to durability, reliability and quality that has always characterized the company’s internal combustion engines. .
A single charge provides a useful range of 41.3 km, or approximately 48.0 km in ECON mode under Honda internal test conditions (30 km under WMTC Class 1 test conditions), while the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: is designed to withstand a variety of temperatures, humidity, shock and vibration.
As the name suggests, the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: is a battery that can be easily removed from the EM1 e: for convenient home charging. Operation is simple: the charger with built-in cooling fan is powered by AC100-240V single-phase household power and outputs a maximum of 270W. The weight of the charger is 5.3 kg and the LED indicators show the charging status in 4 sections. The Honda Mobile Power Pack e: weighs approximately 10 kg and can be easily transported and replaced thanks to a practical handle.
A completely empty battery can reach 100% charge in approximately 6 hours. Charging from 25% to 75% is achieved in just 2.7 hours (160 minutes). Honda’s proven endurance over time means the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: can be recharged over 2,500 times (internal test conditions**).
The in-wheel electric motor is rated at 0.79 PS (0.58 kW) and produces a maximum of 2.3 PS (1.7 kW). In ECON mode, the power is fixed at 1.17PS (0.86kW). The maximum speed is 45 km/h and the EM1 e: can climb a slope of 10° with a rider weight of 75 kg. ECON mode softens the throttle and reduces top speed, extending the usable range to approximately 30 miles (48.0 km).
Styling and Equipment
Deliberately designed to stand out from its internal combustion engine (ICE) “siblings”, the EM1 e: is slim and compact, combining a blend of smooth, organic front-end curves with a sharper rear section and targeted.
A 12V battery powers the scooter’s systems and all lighting is LED technology. A simple digital dashboard displays all important information at a glance, including remaining battery power.
There is 3.3 liters of storage under the seat and an internal compartment suitable for a 500ml PET water bottle is located on the left side of the front part of the fairing. On the right is a USB port for charging the smartphone. There’s also a handy hook for hanging a bag and grab handles for the front passenger.
The rear grille is standard, while the passenger footpegs fold down when not in use.
A useful 35L top box and a rear luggage rack will be available as an option.
Frame
While much about the EM1 e: is new, its chassis is more familiar yet efficient, reliable, lightweight and durable, for ease and confidence in handling. It is extremely compact, with a length of only 1860mm and a very practical saddle height of 740mm. The ground clearance is sufficient at 135mm, while the weight is only 95kg including the battery.
The frame is a durable tubular steel assembly. The 31mm telescopic fork is paired with twin tube rear shocks. Caster angle and wheel track are set at 27°/77mm and work with the 1300mm wheelbase.
The tires are 90/90-12 in the front and 100/90-10 in the rear. The front wheel is cast aluminum and the rear wheel is aluminum alloy/steel. The brakes – a 190mm disc at the front with a single-piston caliper and a 110mm drum at the rear – are connected to a Combined Braking System (CBS) for smooth braking control. When the rear brake is applied, CBS distributes braking force to the front caliper.
