A milestone in two-wheel hybrid technology?
Hybrid cars have become a staple of the automotive market since the debut of the Toyota Prius over 25 years ago. But the combination of gasoline and electric on two wheels remains a rarity. Although some companies have dabbled in hybrid motorcycles and Kawasaki has announced innovations with its 2024 Ninja HEV model, Honda is presenting a much more complex variant.
Pioneers on new paths
Honda is known for taking on and overcoming technological challenges. Rather than taking the easier route and simply adding an electric motor to an existing internal combustion engine – as Piaggio did with the MP3 Hybrid in 2008 – Honda is taking an innovative path.
Kawasaki’s Ninja HEV takes a multifunctional approach: electric power in urban areas, gasoline power on the open road, and a combination of both powertrains for maximum performance. But Honda’s vision goes further.
Honda’s technological breakthrough
Honda’s latest patents outline a hybrid motorcycle with an internal combustion engine and no less than two electric motor units. This is complemented by a sophisticated planetary gearbox and a manual transmission. This concept is reminiscent of the technologies used in the first Prius.
Due to the absence of a clutch between the engine and transmission, the planetary gearbox enables different driving modes: pure electric, pure gasoline or a combination of both. Both electric motors play a key role in the drive concept, serving either as a generator or as a drive.
What does the future hold?
Although the prototypes are shown in the contours of an X-ADV 750, the final product could take a very different form. The complexity of this new system suggests that it could be at home in a purpose-built model designed for long tours and high performance.
There is still a long way to go before this innovative concept is introduced to the market. But if Honda is serious about its goals for climate neutrality by 2040, this could be just the vehicle that makes the difference.
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