Honda to Set Up Dedicated Electric Motorcycle Factory in India by 2028

Honda Motor Company has announced plans to establish a dedicated electric motorcycle manufacturing facility in India by 2028. The development was confirmed by Daiki Mihara, Chief of the Motorcycle and Power Products Electrification Business Unit, during a media interaction in Japan.

The new facility is expected to be located in Karnataka, near Honda’s existing two-wheeler plant in Narasapura, Bengaluru. The primary focus of this expansion is to meet the rising domestic demand for electric motorcycles. Additionally, Honda envisions this factory as a key export hub, catering to emerging markets with affordable electric two-wheelers.

“We will start with a commuter bike with a 4kWh battery comparable to 100cc bikes. Exporting them is also an option. We can produce electric bikes similar to midsize bikes there,” Mihara said.

Despite entering the electric segment later than some competitors, Honda aims to dominate India’s electric motorcycle market. The plant will focus on internal combustion engine technology to introduce a variety of electric models, including those with fixed batteries. The goal is to lead the segment in India’s largest market through strategic initiatives. 

Honda plans to launch 30 electric two-wheelers worldwide by 2030, targeting annual sales of four million units. Thirteen of these models have already been introduced globally. In November, Honda launched two electric scooters for the Indian market—the Activa e:, featuring swappable battery technology, and the QC1, which comes with a fixed battery.

To support its EV ecosystem, Honda will initially roll out a battery-swapping service in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, enabling riders to replace drained batteries with fully charged ones at designated stations. The company is leveraging its 6,000+ dealership network across India to expand charging infrastructure while also working on fixed battery solutions.