Motorcycles

Honda plans to produce the EV-Cub by 2018

Honda plans to produce the EV-Cub by 2018
The Honda EV-Cub is based on the Super Cub Concept that was revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
The Honda EV-Cub is based on the Super Cub Concept that was revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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The EV-Cub heralds a new era for Honda's most iconic motorcycle
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The EV-Cub heralds a new era for Honda's most iconic motorcycle
The Honda EV-Cub is based on the Super Cub Concept that was revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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The Honda EV-Cub is based on the Super Cub Concept that was revealed at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
A tilting cover reveals the removable battery of the Honda EV-Cub
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A tilting cover reveals the removable battery of the Honda EV-Cub
The latest EV-Cub concept uses a traditional-looking round headlight
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The latest EV-Cub concept uses a traditional-looking round headlight
The digital instrument of the Honda EV-Cub is appropriately shaped as a trapezoid
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The digital instrument of the Honda EV-Cub is appropriately shaped as a trapezoid
Typical riding indications of the Honda EV-Cub's digital instrument
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Typical riding indications of the Honda EV-Cub's digital instrument
The digital instrument of the Honda EV-Cub during charging
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The digital instrument of the Honda EV-Cub during charging
Honda Motor Co. President and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, standing next to an original 1958 Super Cub
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Honda Motor Co. President and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, standing next to an original 1958 Super Cub
The EV-Cub (silver) and the Super Cub concepts at Honda's booth during the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
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The EV-Cub (silver) and the Super Cub concepts at Honda's booth during the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show
The single-seater Honda EV-Cub concept sports a chrome rack behind the seat
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The single-seater Honda EV-Cub concept sports a chrome rack behind the seat
The area under the seat of the Honda EV-Cub will probably offer some carrying space for things like the battery charger
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The area under the seat of the Honda EV-Cub will probably offer some carrying space for things like the battery charger
The 2009 Honda EV-Cub concept featured two-wheel drive with an electric motor in the front wheel hub
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The 2009 Honda EV-Cub concept featured two-wheel drive with an electric motor in the front wheel hub
The 2009 Honda EV-Cub was more of a showbike in comparison to the 2015 version
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The 2009 Honda EV-Cub was more of a showbike in comparison to the 2015 version
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The electric-powered version of the Honda Super Cub is slated to go into production in 2018, according to the company's new President and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo. First introduced as a concept model in 2009, it will be initially offered only in Japan, before expanding to several Asian markets.

Honda's Super Cub hardly needs an introduction, being one of the most popular two-wheelers ever produced. Since 1958 over 87 million Cubs have rolled out of as many as 15 different Honda factories all over the world. Its impact has been so great that it became the first vehicle to obtain three-dimensional trademark registration in Japan.

The electric-powered Cub first appeared as a concept model at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, showcasing two-wheel drive with electric motors in each hub. It resurfaced last October at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, this time with a single electric motor in the rear wheel hub.

With a styling that pays obvious homage to the iconic 1958 model, the EV-Cub is a precise replica of the 2015 Super Cub concept; a version that appears closer to what an actual production model would look like. Along with the front wheel hub motor, gone is the LED lightshow of the 2009 concept. The battery pack is mounted low in the frame, and is removable via a tilting cover on the left side of the bike.

A tilting cover reveals the removable battery of the Honda EV-Cub
A tilting cover reveals the removable battery of the Honda EV-Cub

Effectively the EV-Cub appears to be little more than a city commuter with relatively small range and performance figures in the original 50 cc Super Cub's ballpark – but without any official specs in hand, we're just speculating.

If Honda were to produce it now, it would probably employ the powertrain of the only electric scooter in the company's lineup, the EV-Neo. Powered by a 0.9 kWh battery, it peaks at 3.8 hp (2.8 kW) for a range of 34 km (21.1 mi) at 30 km/h (18.6 mph) on level ground. Hopefully Honda will opt for a more potent package, given that by 2018 the EV-Neo's technology will be almost 10 years old.

Little else is known at this time, except for what Honda's CEO announced. The EV-Cub is planned to go into production in two years' time, initially to be offered exclusively for the Japanese market. The next target sees the main ASEAN (Association of SouthEast Asian Nations) markets, a corner of the globe where the Cub family is extremely popular.

There's no word on whether Honda would consider exporting to other markets later, but we wouldn't bet against this option. The Super Cub is a global celebrity and, should market conditions allow for it, we cannot imagine why Honda would miss out on the opportunity. At least in the USA, such a move would make a lot of sense with a customer base that is more accustomed to electric motorcycles – as opposed to the European markets, where electric mobility and its associated infrastructure are now taking their first baby steps. Of course, a lot can change in a few years.

Source: Honda

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4 comments
4 comments
LakeeshaGobeatcha
Slick little version of the worldwide Cub, once sold in the USA as the Passport. In 1984 Honda stopped selling the Passport here and sold the remaining inventory out at only $600 a pop. I should have bought one in each color. You can bet this electric Cub will cost ten times the price.
Gizmowiz
Just more of the same for Honda giving 'lip service' to electrics--both cars and bikes. This is a joke!
Timelord
I'd buy one, assuming it wasn't outrageously priced. $3000US would be reasonable. $2000 would be better still.
gragraposker
Aussie Post was using the CT110 and now the NBC110 versions from the Cub family,but these early E bike versions won't have the range for the stop/start work our suburban Mailmen need to do the job. Keep working Honda.