Industry needs more time, says Honda on 2 wheelers EV road map in India - FULL TEXT of statement

Renowned two-wheeler manufacturer Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI) has released a statement on two-wheeler electric vehicles road map in India. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has said that the industry needs more time to stabilise after BS-VI changeover before we take the next step of moving from IC Engine technology, especially considering Indian customer requirement of higher daily commuting distance and price consciousness. Also, Honda has requested a well laid out plan jointly prepared by Government, Industry and all
concerned stakeholders looking at the aspects of air pollution, energy security, cost of technology, availability of raw materials & Infrastructure while addressing employment impact to increase stepwise penetration of Electric Vehicles. Here is the FULL TEXT of the statement:-

"Honda’s 2030 vision is to Serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential” —Lead the advancement of mobility and enable people everywhere in the world to improve their daily lives. In line with this vision we echo Government’s efforts towards a greener and cleaner tomorrow.

“Globally, Honda has an experience of developing & selling Electric Two Wheelers for over 25 years. Due to multiple factors including vehicle cost, riding performance, range and infrastructure, customers’ adoption of EV is still a major challenge.”

The industry needs more time to stabilize after BS-VI changeover before we take the next step of moving from IC Engine technology, especially considering Indian customer requirement of higher daily commuting distance and price consciousness.

Honda requests a well laid out plan jointly prepared by Government, Industry and all concerned stakeholders looking at the aspects of air pollution, energy security, cost of technology, availability of raw materials & Infrastructure while addressing employment impact to increase stepwise penetration of Electric Vehicles."

EV plan 

Earlier, on June 21, government think-tank Niti Aayog had asked conventional two and three-wheeler makers to suggest within two weeks concrete steps towards transition to electric mobility keeping in mind 2025 deadline. 

At a meeting of the manufacturers and start-up electric vehicle (EV) makers called by Niti Aayog, the industry was cautioned that if they do not take steps to address pollution issues, courts will step in. The meeting was attended by top officials of major two-wheeler manufacturers, including Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, TVS Motor Co Chairman Venu Srinivasan, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) President & CEO Minoru Kato along with SIAM Director-General Vishnu Mathur, and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) Director General Vinnie Mehta, among others.

Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar and CEO Amitabh Kant represented the think-tank.

The Niti Aayog has planned transitioning to full EVs for three-wheelers by 2023 and two-wheelers with an engine capacity less than 150 cc by 2025.