Honda’s first EV for young European drivers has arrived. The EM1 e: features an interchangeable Honda Mobile Power Pack e:, offering real comfort and emission-free city commuting fun.
An electric motor integrated into the wheel provides the necessary driving power: the useful autonomy reaches 41.3 kilometers and the maximum speed that it can develop reaches 45.0 km/h. Equipment includes a digital instrument cluster, under-seat storage, USB charging port, passenger footrest and rear rack.
Following Honda’s announcements in September 2022 of its plans to introduce 10 or more electric two-wheelers worldwide by 2025, the EM1 e: is Honda’s first electric two-wheeler for European customers. It’s also a notable first step towards achieving the company’s stated goal of carbon neutrality across all its motorcycle models by the 2040s.
The acronym EM refers to the term Electric Moped, and this model is aimed at a young audience 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 underscores its differentiation and unique identity in the Honda range.
Ideal for short city trips and for cheap, quiet and ‘clean’ commutes to work or university, the EM1 e: perfectly meets modern expectations for urban commuting.
With local parking legislation in European cities restricting the use of traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs), it is a natural consequence that the market for EV models is growing. Honda is now entering this market with a fresh, high-quality proposition, aimed at young riders and commuters alike.
For a typical student, who can average 30 kilometers a day in the city, the EM1 e: is a compelling proposition, simple to drive and operate, quiet and environmentally friendly.
And it’s the first of many expected electric models.
The EM1 e: is a compact electric vehicle, easy to use and ecological, with a fresh, young style but at the same time made up mostly of elements that we would find in a conventional scooter: the tubular The steel frame, the telescopic fork , dual shock absorbers and front disc and rear drum brakes are classic scooter features.
What’s truly new is the in-wheel electric motor and Honda’s e: Honda Mobile Power Pack, which can be removed for easy recharging at home using the dedicated charging unit.
The EM1 e: is fully equipped with a digital instrument cluster, quality built switches, a large floor area, under seat storage and a USB charging port. It also has a passenger footrest, rear luggage rack, and side stand for easy parking.
The useful autonomy reaches 41.3 km and the maximum speed 45.0 km/h.
The sales method is also new. To ensure that customers do not have to take responsibility for disposing or recycling 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 lease, rental or subscription scheme, depending on the country. This will give customers a full guarantee for 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:
Pearl White Sunbeam
digital silver metallic
Matte Ballistic Black Metallic
battery and charger
The EM1 e: is powered by the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: 50V, developed in-house by Honda with the same unwavering commitment to long-lasting durability, reliability and quality that have always characterized the company’s internal combustion engines.
A single charge offers a usable range of 41.3 km, or approximately 48.0 km in ECON mode under Honda’s internal test conditions (30 km under WMTC Class 1 test conditions), while the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: It is designed to withstand a variety of temperatures, humidity levels, shock and vibration.
As its name suggests, the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: is a battery that can be easily removed from the EM1 e: for convenient charging at home. Operation is simple: the charger with built-in cooling fan draws power from a 100-240VAC single phase household supply and produces a maximum of 270W. The charger weights 5.3kg and LED indicators show status cargo in 4 sections. The Honda Mobile Power Pack e: weighs around 10 kg and can be easily transported and replaced thanks to a practical handle.
A completely empty battery can reach 100% of its charge in about 6 hours. Charging from 25% to 75% is achieved in just 2.7 hours (160 minutes). Honda’s renowned endurance over time means that the Honda Mobile Power Pack e: can be charged more than 2,500 times (internal test conditions**).
The in-wheel electric motor is rated at 0.79 hp (0.58 kW) and produces a maximum of 2.3 hp (1.7 kW). In ECON mode, power is set to 1.17 PS (0.86 kW). The maximum speed is 45 km/h and the EM1 e: can climb a 10° slope with a rider weight of 75 kg. ECON mode eases the throttle and reduces top speed, extending usable range to approximately 30 miles.
Style and equipment
Deliberately designed to stand out from its internal combustion engine (ICE) powered “brothers”, the EM1 e: is slim and compact, combining a combination of soft, organic curves at the front with a more defined and specific rear section. .
A 12V battery powers the scooter’s systems and all lighting is LED technology. A simple digital instrument panel shows all important information at a glance, including the remaining battery charge.
There is 3.3 liters of storage under the saddle and a suitable internal compartment for a 500ml PET water bottle is located on the left hand side of the front of the fairing. On the right is a USB port for charging smartphones. There’s also a handy hook for hanging a bag and grab handles for the front passenger.
The rear rack is standard, while the passenger footrests fold down when not in use.
A useful 35L top box and rear rack will be available as options.
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 just 1,860mm and a very practical saddle height of 740mm. The ground clearance is sufficient at 135 mm, while the weight is only 95 kg, including the battery.
The frame is a durable tubular steel assembly. The 31mm telescopic fork is paired with twin tube rear shocks. Trail angle and wheelbase are fixed at 27°/77mm and run on a 1300mm wheelbase.
The tires measure 90/90-12 in front and 100/90-10 in the rear. The front wheel is cast aluminum and the rear wheel is aluminum/steel alloy. The brakes, a 190mm disc at the front with a single-piston caliper and a 110mm drum at the rear, are linked to a Combined Brake System (CBS) for smooth braking control. When the rear brake is applied, CBS distributes the braking force to the front caliper.