Wuyang Honda, the Chinese joint venture of the Japanese manufacturer’s motorcycle division, has launched its first full-size electric motorbike in China. It’s called the E-VO, and it features a cafe racer-inspired retro design, a range of up to 170 km, and a top speed of 120 kph.
As is the case with the automotive industry, if foreign motorcycle manufacturers want to avoid high taxes in China, they must find a local production partner. For Honda’s bike division, that is Wuyang Honda, a joint venture between Guangzhou Motorcycle Group (owned by car manufacturer GAC) and Honda.
China-made electric bike with a Honda badge
Wuyang Honda builds Honda bikes for the Chinese market, but also produces its own models, profiting from the Honda name. Now, the company has announced its first “full-size” electric motorbike: the E-VO. But it is not the first electric bike from Wuyang Honda, which already has several electric scooters in its model range.
The E-VO is Wuyang Honda’s first highway-capable electric bike; however, it has a top speed of 120 km/h, equivalent to a 125 cc gasoline bike. A 21-horsepower electric motor provides power, and customers can choose between two battery options: 4.1 kWh or 6.2 kWh. Range varies between 120 and 170 km, while charging takes 2.5 hours on a standard socket or 90 minutes at an L2 charger.
Other features include two 7-inch TFT screens for the instruments and infotainment, a front (and rear on the top-spec model) dash cam, different riding modes, traction control, push assistance, cruise control, and hill hold. Two color schemes are available: off-white with a tan saddle and orange accents, or all-black with red accents.
The Wuyang Honda E-VO is only available in China, where it costs 29,999 yuan (approximately €3,660) for the 4.1 kWh version and 36,999 yuan (approximately €4,500) for the 6.2 kWh model.
When will Honda build an electric bike for the international market?
As for an international full-size electric bike from Honda, nothing is official yet in terms of launch dates or even which models the Japanese manufacturer will produce.
Honda did reveal two concepts at the International Two-Wheeler Exhibition (EICMA) in Milan in November 2024: the EV FUN Concept, an electric sports bike equivalent to a 600 cc motorcycle with a cruising range of over 100 km; and the EV Urban Concept, which is more like an electric scooter meant for city use.
