This article initially appeared in the February 2020 issue of PowerTALK News.
JAPAN–Honda plans to introduce 200 electric motorcycles for postal delivery services by March 2020, and around 2,000 units are expected be introduced in FY2020. Approximately 85,000 postal delivery motorcycles are running in Japan today, and all are made by Honda. There are also three-wheel models, but most are Super Cubs, which has a reputation for reliability. At first, these EV bikes will be deployed in Tokyo, where the driving range is small, and in other local ordinance-designated cities.
The base unit is the electric motorcycle for business use, the Benly e-series. Honda will start selling it to corporations in April 2020. This is a 96V system in which two lithium-ion batteries with a voltage of 48V are connected in series. Charging is performed by removing the battery from the vehicle and using a special charger; it takes about four hours to reach full charge from zero.
Honda says the bike has a maximum output of 3.8PS and achieves a 12-degree slope uphill performance with maximum load capacity. The cruising range is 87km for Benly e: I and 43km for Benly e: II. According to Honda officials, the bike can be operated for one day considering the delivery range, but in most cases it will return to the post office during lunch break, and a battery can be replaced at that time.
Source: Response
PSR Analysis: If 2,000 vehicles are added during fiscal 2020, approximately 1/40 of all postal delivery motorcycles operating in Japan will be electric motorcycles.
Although running costs have not been disclosed, oil changes are unnecessary and electricity costs are about half of gasoline costs, so it seems the cost side also is effective.
If EV bikes can be introduced to post offices throughout Japan after this trial, it means that spots where batteries can be exchanged will be set up all over Japan at the same time.
And if the battery exchange at the post office can be opened to the general public, there is a possibility that about 23,800 post offices can form a major battery exchange infrastructure for EV bikes.
Already, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki have established a battery replacement consortium for electric motorcycles. Discussions are being held to determine the best specifications for the EV motorcycle battery. It is still not clear if they will release the Honda model common to all four companies, but if batteries can be used commonly by these four companies and their charging infrastructure is the same, it will be a major advancement. PSR
Akihiro Komuro, Research Analyst, Far East and Southeast Asia
