Honda is doubling down on small electric two-wheelers with the launch of a new budget-friendly model that undercuts its own gasoline equivalent – and can be ridden without a full motorcycle license.
The new ICON e: electric moped is set to go on sale in the Japanese market next month at a price of 220,000 yen (approximately US$1,400), including tax. That makes it roughly 10% cheaper than the equivalent gasoline-powered mopeds Honda introduced late last year, according to local media.
And unlike larger motorcycles that require a standard motorcycle license in Japan, the ICON e: can be ridden with a moped license, which is available to riders aged 16 and up after attending lectures and passing a simpler test. That lowers the barrier to entry significantly and opens the door to younger riders and urban commuters looking for an affordable, low-maintenance option.
The ICON e: is a scooter-style setup with a flat footrest design aimed at city riders. It offers a claimed range of 81 km (50 miles) per charge, which Honda says is more than sufficient considering that typical moped riders travel less than 10 km (6 miles) per day. In many cases, that could mean charging just once a week.
Helping ease range anxiety and improve convenience, the bike uses the companies Mobile Power Pack e: removable battery pack that can be taken indoors for charging or swapped at Honda’s swapping stations. Honda has been steadily expanding its swappable battery ecosystem, including its Honda Mobile Power Pack platform used across several light electric two-wheelers in Asian markets. That broader strategy allows the company to leverage scale, reduce parts costs, and bring pricing down through mass production in markets such as Indonesia and beyond.
The ICON e: is the latest in a growing lineup of small electric scooters and motorcycles from Honda, as the company accelerates its push into electrification at the lower end of the two-wheeler market. While Honda has been more conservative than some startups in the electric motorcycle space, it’s clear that the company has seen lightweight, urban-focused models as the entry point for bringing EVs to the masses, based on Honda’s increased push into this sector over the last few years.
By pricing the ICON e: below its gasoline counterpart, Honda is making a strong statement that electric isn’t just the cleaner option anymore – it can also be the cheaper one.
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