Honda’s announcement in the near future to put a wide range of EV models on the market for the time being limited to a few integrating concepts such as the EV Fun and a few EV scooters, but that could soon change. With Honda’s Chinese partner, a Wuyang-Honda EV motorcycle is being worked hard, which has the Codenaam WH8000D.
The news that Honda has joined forces with her Chinese partner Wuyang is not new, as a long time being made by Wuyang-Honda electric motor scooters, including the U-Go, which became the basis for the EM1 E: that Honda added to her own model range in 2023.
Wuyang-Honda has now received type approval in China for a first EV motorcycle with the code name WH8000D, which will go through life on the Stickers on De Kuip as e-VO. As far as styling is concerned, the engine cannot match the RC-E concept that was presented on the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011, but it still has something.
The appearance looks a bit like a neo-caféracer and reminds us of the Aprilia 6.5 in certain terms, which has totally different looks in appearance, but was at least as controversial as this WH8000D. The completely enclosed Kuip offers a lot of space to hide the batteries and the electric motor. The engine itself is mounted in the frame, instead of on the swing bridge or in the hub of the rear wheel.
Two versions of the engine have been approved. They are visually identical but differ in performance and weight, which indicates that they contain different batteries. Both have a capacity of 11 hp (that is 8 kW, hence the “8000” in the name of the model).
That does not exactly sound impressive, but to begin with that will be the constant capacity, whereby the peak power will probably be double. In addition (and above all: above all), the unique thing about EV drive that an electric motor has a constant torque that is far above that of a combustion engine. Even at 111 hp.
The lighter version has a top speed of 110 km/h and weighs 143 kilos, while the heavier version brings 156 kilos to the scales and is good for a top speed of 120 km/h. These are values ​​that are comparable to a 125cc motorcycle, although we are convinced that the e-VO will give it every 125cc in acceleration. Otherwise, take a test drive on an A1-suitable electric motorcycle.
In terms of dimensions, the e-VO is larger than a growl but smaller than a full-size motorcycle, with a 16-inch front wheel and a 14 inch rear wheel with 110/70 and 140/70 tires and a wheelbase of 1,380 mm respectively. The engine also has an upside down front fork, a single brake disc with radial 4-suction braer brake claw and a single brake disc at the rear, of course with ABS as standard.
Unfortunately, the type approval does not state the battery capacity or composition, which means that it is still guessing at the range and loading time. However, it is in line with expectations that Honda’s Mobile Power Pack E: will be used for this, and that the heavier version will have an extra battery. Honda’s mobile battery weighs 13 kilos and that is the difference in weight between the two versions.
The Mobile Power Pack E: would also make the engine compatible with Honda’s Power Pack Exchanger E Battery Stations, which have already been introduced in different countries, including India, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia, and who have just started with European tests with a test network in Sweden.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.