Tokyo Preview: Honda to show off all-electric Cub
Honda EV-Cub concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Honda's little Cub motorbike has been nothing if not successful for the Japanese company, with literally tens of millions of the fuel-efficient small-bore machines have rolling out of Honda factories all around the world. Perhaps, then, it's time for Honda to refine the formula that turned the Cub into such a success story? And if so, what should power the next Cub?
We know that Honda is investigating electric motorcycle technology with plans to launch its first such machine before 2011, so it's not terribly surprising to see the motorcycle manufacturer showing off an electric version of the Cub at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Details are decidedly scarce, but it appears there may be electric hub motors powering both the front and rear wheels. Honda will also be showing off solar panels that are capable of charging the batteries of the electric vehicles on display.
Gallery: Honda EV-Cub Concept
[Source: Honda]
PRESS RELEASE
Honda Announces Overview of Display for the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009
September 30, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced its lineup of production and concept-model automobiles, motorcycles, power products and other highlights for its display at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009. Organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, the event will take place at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, from October 24 to November 4.
HELLO! Lineup
Covering the largest floor area of any single brand at the show, Honda booth combines automobiles, motorcycles, power products and other highlights to present the distinctive world of Honda mobility. Driven by dreams and passion, and with the booth concept of "Creating the never before!" Honda strived to propose attractive products that please and amaze its customers.
Honda's automobile exhibit will present a variety of environmentally responsible approaches to mobility, including hybrid vehicles, a fuel cell electric vehicle and a battery electric vehicle. The display will also highlight models with innovative packaging and enhanced driving performance that communicate the enjoyment an automobile can provide.
With the motorcycle display, Honda proposes products which are filled with creativity and dreams and create new value to further broaden the potential of motorcycles.The motorcycles on display range from large-displacement sports bikes that offer new riding pleasure to compact commuter models powered by electricity.
Also on display are butane gas canister-powered power products, as well as a new personal mobility device which was developed based on the concept of "harmony with people."
The special display zone named "HELLO!" (Honda Electric mobility Loop) will feature a comprehensive display of electricity-based products, including products that supply electricity, vehicles that run on electricity and products with innovative electronic technologies.
♦ Outline of the exhibition at the Honda booth
<HELLO! Zone>
The HELLO! (Honda Electric mobility Loop) Zone will provide a comprehensive display of Honda's electromotive technologies, including automobiles, motorcycles, power products, and more-everything from products that supply electricity to products that incorporate electronic technologies. By linking solar panels that supply electricity with battery electric vehicles that emit zero CO2 in use, Honda envisions the low-carbon society of the near future. In addition, each HELLO! vehicle features interactive communication technologies that showcase the fun ways in which mobility devices can interact with people and society. On display will be the FCX CLARITY, a fuel cell electric vehicle that runs on the electricity it produces from hydrogen; the EV-N battery electric vehicle; the EV-Cub electric motorcycle; the EV-MONPAL electric personal mobility device; the new U3-X, a one-wheel personal mobility device that uses balance control technology that was developed through the ASIMO bipedal humanoid robot; and LOOP, a portable communication tool that allows people and mobility devices to communicate with each other.
<Automobile display>
The automobile display will focus on hybrid vehicles, which Honda believes offer one of the most practical means of addressing environmental concerns at the present time. Joining the Insight, which has been very well received since its release in Japan in February 2009, will be the CR-Z Concept 2009, a hybrid with a new sense and feel, making its world premiere, and the SKYDECK, an innovative six-passenger, multi-purpose hybrid vehicle. Other models on display are the all-new STEP WGN and STEP WGN SPADA (both scheduled for introduction in Japan in October 2009), which feature innovative packaging to expand the joy of using automobiles, and the all-new CIVIC TYPE R EURO (scheduled for introduction in Japan in November 2009), which captures the joy of driving, discovered and refined on European roads.
<Motorcycle display>
The motorcycle display will feature products filled with creativity and dreams that create new value that challenges the unique potential of motorcycles. Making its world premiere, the CB1100 explores the potential of the air-cooled, 4-cylinder engine while building upon the aesthetic appeal and riding taste of the generations of CBs. The VFR1200F sport touring bike, which will make its Japan premiere, emphasizes advanced technology and styling while offering an enjoyable riding experience. A VFR1200F equipped with the world's first Dual Clutch Transmission for large-displacement sport bikes will also be on display. Advanced models that address environmental concerns include the PCX, an idle stop function-equipped global scooter that delivers outstanding fuel economy, and the EVE-neo, which achieves clean and tough performance that only an electric-powered scooter can provide.
<Power Products and other highlights>
Power products on display include two that are powered by small household-use butane gas canisters: the newly developed ENEPO generator and the PIANTA tiller, which has been well received since its introduction in Japan. Also on display will be the Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist walking assist devices, which feature the cooperative control technologies developed through the robotics research of ASIMO, Honda's bipedal humanoid robot.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 3:51PM (10/20/2009)
It's it sad that some joe six pack in his garage can buy an old honda motorbike, strip it down and put in a battery back all for about 10k, while huge companies like Honda or Suzuki with teams of engineers can't produce an electric bike?
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KK 3:55PM (10/20/2009)
Hobbyists have a lower expectation of their own creations than consumers have of name-brand products.
letstakeawalk 4:07PM (10/20/2009)
"...put in a battery back all for about 10k."
I really hope this Honda goes for considerably less than $10K. That's an absurd price for a small motorbike.
paulwesterberg 4:26PM (10/20/2009)
There are many sites selling kits for much less than 10k, here is a $4k kit with lithium batteries that provides 30-40 miles and 35mph top speed.
http://soundspeedscooters.com/store/conversions/electric-vespa-conversion-kit-1.html
There are cheaper kits with crappier batteries, but If you spend more than 4k on scooter parts you are getting ripped off.
New electric scooters for 1.6-4k:
http://www.electricmotorsport.com/store/ems_electric_scooters.php
For 10k you could buy a new Zero S street bike(50 miles, 55mph):
http://www.zeromotorcycles.com/zero-s-order.php
paulwesterberg 4:41PM (10/20/2009)
btw the Zero S qualifies for a 10% tax credit so the cost is closer to 9k(excluding sales taxes).
KK 3:51PM (10/20/2009)
Very neat. I doubt it's 2-wheel drive though, I think the big cover around the front axle just contains a brake (drum?) and a leading link suspension mechanism.
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paulwesterberg 4:28PM (10/20/2009)
2wd make sense though, the motors would be more efficient, cheaper and better suited for capturing regenerative energy during braking.
KK 8:56PM (10/20/2009)
Why would 2 small motors be cheaper and more efficient than 1 larger motor?
There might be some benefit to having regenerative braking on both wheels, as you say. Then again, regenerative braking is usually only used for gradual deceleration and downhill; it's not used for hard braking. And I expect a motorcycle needs conventional brakes on both wheels anyway, for safety if not for legal reasons.
PowerCell 4:16PM (10/20/2009)
I
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Laurens 8:17AM (10/21/2009)
What's lacking on this moped, are the pedals.
Bicycles with a small helper engine and battery, are becoming very popular with the elderly, and people commuting to work that don't want to sweat.
It helps that we have a mild climate, summer and winter. It's even getting better :-)
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Bill 12:54PM (10/21/2009)
very purty
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Andy 11:40PM (10/21/2009)
The concept and style looks really good. If they get the balance of attributes in the sweet spot for the devloping world, this could do more to reduce carbon emissions than the volt.
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Larzen 7:52PM (10/26/2009)
I'm interested if the price and performance can be close
to an old Honda 90, or even 50.
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