Honda cooks up an electric motorbike menu, with sides of connectivity
- Reference: 1701331448
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2023/11/30/honda_electric_motorbike_plan/
- Source link:
The Japanese automaker's Tuesday announcement outlines a plan to create battery, power unit and chassis modules, and allow buyers to combine them online to design their dream machine.
"This will enable Honda to quickly and efficiently introduce a number of models that accommodate the diverse needs of its customers around the world. Moreover, this modularization will also generate a cost advantage," explained [1]Honda .
Cathode capers
Also in Japan, Toshiba yesterday announced improvements to its battery tech in the form of a new cathode material for its lithium-ion battery: Nickel manganese oxide (LNMO).
The tech giant [2]promised that the cobalt-free and reduced nickel 5V-class high-potential cathode material "significantly suppresses performance-degrading gases produced as side reactions."
The barrier to the development of cathodes with alternative materials has been a side reaction that causes electrolyte decomposition and generates the gas, but Toshiba said its novel cathode doesn't do that when used with a conventional high conductivity electrolyte.
Rather, its technology modifies the surface of cathode particles, effectively suppressing the reaction with the electrolyte while deactivating the transferred ions on the anode surface.
A battery prototype that pairs the cathode with a niobium titanium oxide (NTO) anode demonstrated a voltage over 3V and fast charging of 80 percent in five minutes in tests, said the vehicle maker.
Toshiba's suggested applications at the top end of the battery's abilities include electric vehicles, but it also shows potential for power tools and other high voltage industrial applications.
This innovation may be significant because cobalt supply is limited, and its price fluctuates markedly. Nickel presents [3]similar challenges .
Honda will also expand the options from 2025, by adding an in-house developed lithium ferro-phosphate powerpack to its current ternary lithium-ion offering. An assortment of batteries will be on offer, so customers can select desired output range, cost and strength. Meanwhile, Honda is exploring high energy density tech with an eye towards eventually using all-solid-state batteries.
[4]Electric two-wheelers are set to scoot past EVs in road race
[5]Parisians say au revoir to shared e-scooters
[6]Car dealers openly beg Biden to put brakes on electric vehicle drive
[7]Fujitsu-backed FDK claims nickel zinc batteries ready for use in UPSes
By 2030, Honda wants to halve the cost of electric motorcycles by going beyond models with swappable batteries – adopting plug-in models, optimizing the battery cell and improving its procurement and production process.
One improvement includes manufacturing the vehicles at factories that specialize in electric models by 2027, instead of at lines that make both electric and liquid-fueled machines. The bike shop reckons this will reduce the length of the lines by 40 percent.
[8]
It also promised a new age of connectivity will accompany the electric motorcycles – one that incorporates over-the-air updates and other formats of post-purchase software updates as well as a non-specified expansion of RoadSync, a proprietary service that allows communication between a rider's smartphone and vehicle for controlling things like phone calls, messaging, navigation and music.
[9]
Some new models will also get in-vehicle-infotainment systems that include a suggestion-based navigation function that shares info on nearby charging stations. Post-2026 models will also get a telematics control unit, the details of which were not provided.
"In the future, data obtained and accumulated from both ICE and electric models will be utilized to understand the needs of customers based on the data of how those motorcycle models are being used," predicted Honda.
[10]
The vehicle maker also plans to increase its production of electric two-wheelers to four million a year by 2030 – half a million more than its previous production target. Asian nations will be a focus for sales of the electrified machines. ®
Get our [11]Tech Resources
[1] https://global.honda/en/newsroom/news/2023/c231129beng.html?from=latest_area
[2] https://www.global.toshiba/ww/technology/corporate/rdc/rd/topics/23/2311-02.html
[3] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/19/why-elon-musk-and-tesla-are-banking-on-a-minnesota-nickel-mine.html
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/18/electric_scooters_vehicles_asia/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2023/04/03/parisians_vote_ban_e_scooters/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/29/ev_car_dealers_biden/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/15/fujitsubacked_fdk_wants_nickel_zinc/
[8] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZWhrVI4sRQlouh2L3te@rgAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZWhrVI4sRQlouh2L3te@rgAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZWhrVI4sRQlouh2L3te@rgAAAFY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Goodbye
"Understand the need of customers" is marketing speech for "need to build an advertising profile we can resell". So obviously it's a case where you don't want it, but they do, and since it's them who build the bikes, guess who'll win at the end...
Re: Engine, wheels, petrol tank, seat, handlebars.
What are you going to put in the petrol tank of your electric motor bike?
Re: Goodbye
Less of a dream machine, more of a nightmare.
Re: Goodbye
> Engine, wheels, petrol tank, seat, handlebars. Piss off with the rest of it.
Brakes are so boring...
Why?
It also promised a new age of connectivity will accompany the electric motorcycles
Please someone. Make it stop. If I buy I thing, I want to own it. I want to be able to bugger about with it. I am not interested in "exclusive subscription features for your convenience". I don't want my use of my thing reported to "enhance user experience".
Re: Why?
Same answer as to the previous post: You might not want it (obviously), but their marketing department does, very much so, so guess what will actually happen...
The only way to make it stop would be to not buy any "connected" crap, but of course that won't ever happen, there are enough fools out there who claim they don't have anything to hide, or who simply don't care... And by "enough" I mean a "vast majority". The rare eccentrics who don't like being fleeced and spied upon are a tiny, insignificant minority, a rounding error. Most people will manage to convince themselves this is for their own good, and marketing is actually doing them a favor. Because, well, marketing said so...
NC range
Kind of started this modular era with the NC range - same chassis, 3 bikes (well, 2 bikes and 1 large scooter), and basically half a Honda jazz engine. - just like cars do with a chassis and across all their brands / ranges.
Like the concept of getting the bits you want to build your bike, but connectivity. The last thing I really want on a bike. I rarely use a tomtom/garmin unless I am not sure where I am going. The headset in my helmet is only on when the sat nav is on - no calls, no radio, no music.
I am already exposed, so want all my senses operating as well as they can be to hear the vehicle near me doing something wrong - or to hear a honda triple engine
Oh, connectivity back to Honda so not even the remotely useful kind - err why, go and shove it up your exhaust - which my first electric bike won't have, so they;ll have plenty to choose from
Hmmmmmm
I like the sound of a "modular" motorcycle and understand it's appeal from a manufacturers and end users point of view, but please leave all that "tech" shite in the cars. I don't want to be connected to anything except my motorcycle. The latest motorcycles have a plethora of gadgets but very few of them enhance the experience, and many of them can detract from the experience. Yes, that active suspension/cornering traction control/linked braking system can let you corner faster and safer,.... but what's the point when it's the computers doing it, not you. I like ABS because it only intrudes when needed and could save me, but almost all of the rest of the "rider assist" stuff is not for me. Yes, not having the "rider assist" tech makes riding more dangerous but it also makes riding more personal and immediate. I was looking forward to experiencing the instant torque of an electric motor between my legs, but since it seems it is going to be slathered in "tech" then no thanks. There is a reason why people want "retro" bikes and that reason is that the "experience" of modern bikes is too sanitised, managed, and controlled.
Honda make electric scooters... They've not got anywhere near an electric motorbike yet.
Goodbye
"In the future, data obtained and accumulated from both ICE and electric models will be utilized to understand the needs of customers based on the data of how those motorcycle models are being used," predicted Honda.
Engine, wheels, petrol tank, seat, handlebars. Piss off with the rest of it.