Just recently, Honda presented its SC e: electric scooter concept at the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo. It now makes its European debut at Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori (EICMA) happening in Milan, Italy. This time, Honda announces that the SC e: is heading for production and will be commercially available in two years’ time.

It will be one of the electric motorcycle models that Honda plans to launch by 2025. This is in line with Honda’s commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.

In last year’s EICMA, Honda introduced the EM1 e: and it is now available in European markets. We could consider the SC e: as the former’s bigger sibling as it has an extra battery slot, which probably makes it capable of doubling the 40-kilometer range of the EM1 e:.

Both models use Honda’s Mobile Power Pack (MPP) system, which is very similar to Gogoro’s battery-swapping system that was just recently introduced in the country by Ayala Group’s 917 Ventures and Globe.

The way we see it, Honda is the most capable brand to make battery-swapping system for electric scooters feasible locally. It could easily set up MPP stations in all of its Honda 3S across the archipelago.  Motortrade alone already has 100 Honda 3S shops nationwide. Add the number of 3S shops operated by other motorcycle dealerships and range anxiety will be a thing of the past.

Honda has yet to introduce an electric two-wheeler in the local market, and whenever we ask them about their plans for EVs in their stable, the response we get is always the same: “if there’s a demand for it, we will bring it in.”

Do you think Filipino motorcycle riders will be ready to make the switch to reduce their tailpipe emissions by 2025?