Making news

Honda to test electric scooters in Philippines


A PCX Electric scooter model. Photo: asianage.com
Honda Motor Co. will soon start testing its new PCX Electric scooters on Romblon Island in the Philippines amid the shift in consumer preference for carbon-free products, Kyodo News reported.

The Japanese car and motorcycle producer will lease some 100 PCX Electric scooters, powered by Honda Mobile Power Pack detachable mobile batteries, to Romblon Electric Cooperative Inc.

Honda will test the functionality and durability of the environmentally friendly model. The batteries will be recharged using surplus electricity generated by three 300-kilowatt wind-power generators installed by Japanese Komaihaltec Inc., at a site owned by Romblon Electric.

Honda's PCX Electric scooters are equipped with two detachable batteries and designed to run 41 kilometres per charge at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour.

A Honda official said the Philippines has many remote islands. If motorbikes, an indispensable means of transport for the islanders, can be powered by renewable energy, it will contribute greatly to the nation.

Honda launched the PCX Electric scooter in Japan last year to promote electric mobility products. It says the two batteries mounted on each scooter can be fully charged in six hours when plugged into a 100-volt power outlet.

Last year, Honda and Panasonic Corp. said they will work together to conduct a similar test in Indonesia, which also relies heavily on motorbikes for daily transportation.
VNA/VNP


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