Nov 28, 2023
In celebration of its 60th anniversary in Pakistan, Atlas Honda unveils its inaugural foray into the realm of sustainable transportation with the introduction of its first electric bicycle vehicle (EV). This innovative step marks a significant milestone for the renowned company, signalling a commitment to eco-friendly mobility solutions and a continued legacy of technological advancement.
Chief Officer of Motorcycle and Power Products of Atlas Honda Noriaki Abe has unveiled Honda’s first EV motorcycle (Honda BENLY e) while celebrating Atlas Honda’s 60th year of operations in Pakistan.
A ceremony was held at Atlas Honda’s Sheikhupura Factory to commemorate the milestone while the event was also graced by Shinji Aoyama, Executive Vice President and COO of Honda Motor Company, and Toshio Kuwahara, President & CEO of Asian Honda Motor Company.
Noriaki Abe said that Honda BENLY e will be offered for test marketing while new products will be offered based on the market feedback so that society and customers get the best of what Honda has to offer.
“Honda products have become an essential part of the daily life of many in Pakistan,” said Noriaki Abe, adding that the joint venture between Atlas Group and Honda Motor Company has been at the forefront of motorcycle and auto parts manufacturing since 1963.
Speaking on the occasion, Shinji Aoyama said that the mobility industry is going through a rapid transformation and Honda Motor was well positioned for the future.
Although the introduction of EV bikes is timely, still electric bicycles will face many hurdles.
Challenges for EV bikes in Pakistan
- Lack of charging infrastructure: There are not enough charging stations across the country to support the growing demand for EV bikes. The government needs to invest in the charging infrastructure and work with the private sector to attract investment
- High cost and low range: The EV bikes are still more expensive than the conventional bikes that run on petrol or diesel. The batteries are also costly and take a long time to charge. The range of the EV bikes is also limited, which means they cannot travel long distances without recharging.
- Low awareness and acceptance: Many people in Pakistan are not familiar with the benefits of EV bikes and their environmental impact. The government needs to launch awareness campaigns to educate consumers and promote the adoption of EV bikes.
- Inconsistent government policies: The EV policy in Pakistan is not clear and consistent. There are different incentives and regulations for different types of EVs and different sectors. The policy also needs to address the issues of taxation, standardisation, quality control, and safety of EVs.
Toshio Kuwahara said that Pakistan was an important market and Honda will strive to introduce attractive products for Pakistani customers.
Saquib H. Shirazi, President and CEO of Atlas Honda, said that Atlas Honda has expanded its product line up and achieved localisation of up to 95%.
“The company developed the largest network of local auto parts manufacturers and dealers. With more than 10,000 touchpoints, the company has created direct employment opportunities for more than 150,000 people,” said Shirazi.
