Honda Backs Flex Fuel Over EVs for Two-Wheelers in India

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Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. is betting on ethanol-blended gasoline over battery-powered vehicles to decarbonize its local lineup as the nation’s second-largest two-wheeler maker remains on the sidelines of the electric vehicle boom.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account“Sustainability must also be practical,” Tsutsumu Otani, president and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co.’s Indian two-wheeler unit, said at an event Friday. Green mobility has to stay “accessible, reliable, and suitable for real customer need,” he said.Honda is betting on flex-fuel options, including gasoline blended with 85% ethanol — E85 — and 100% ethanol, alongside advanced internal combustion engines, arguing that no single technology fits every rider in a market as varied as India’s, according to Otani.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againElectric two-wheelers accounted for 8% of more than 20 million motorcycles and scooters sold in the country in the fiscal year through March, the government’s registration data showed. Honda, Suzuki Motor Corp. and Yamaha Motor Co sold just 4,746 of these units, with under 1% share.Honda’s India plan aligns with its worldwide strategy as its Japanese parent is halting sales of its electric vehicles in the US. The pullback comes after the company invested too much and too late into a short-lived EV boom.Even in India, EV adoption remains concentrated in southern parts of the country, where charging infrastructure is more developed, while rural markets continue to favor traditional combustion models, Otani said. “Customers don’t really care about ICE or EV. Customers simply want what’s good value.”Otani said Honda considers the EV base too immature and infrastructure-dependent to chase it aggressively. He cited blackouts and inconsistent charging access for prioritizing a “multi-pathway approach” spanning ICE, electric and alternative fuels rather than a straight EV pivot.The strategy contrasts with homegrown rivals TVS Motor Co. and Bajaj Auto Ltd., and pure-play startups like Ather Energy Ltd. and Ola Electric Ltd. that dominate the battery-powered scooter segment.Honda is also leaning on India as an export hub, shipping to roughly 60 countries — mainly in Latin America and Africa.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.