LAHORE: Atlas Honda — one of Pakistan’s largest motorcycle manufacturers — has unwrapped its first EV motorcycle Honda-‘BENLY e’, although it did not specify when it would be rolled out in Pakistan.
In a statement, the company said the launch took place at a ceremony held at Atlas Honda’s factory in Sheikhupura to commemorate Atlas Honda’s 60th year of operations in Pakistan.
Noriaki Abe, Chief Officer of Motorcycle and Power Products of Atlas Honda, speaking on the occasion, 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.
He said Honda products have become an essential part of the daily life of many in Pakistan, 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.
The company has the largest network of local auto parts manufacturers and dealers in Pakistan. With more than 10,000 touchpoints, the company is providing direct employment opportunities to more than 150,000 people.
The motorcycle industry, which caters to the low-income segment of the country’s population, faced a decline in sales in October. Motorcycle sales fell 5% month-on-month and 11% year-on-year in October.
Atlas Honda which is the market leader, recorded sales of 90,000 units, down 5% month-on-month (m-o-m) and 5% year-on-year (y-o-y).
In the first four months of the fiscal year, motorcycle sales fell 10% year-on-year to 371,000 units, due to higher bike prices and low purchasing power of customers.
Challenges for EV bikes in Pakistan
Lack of charging points: There are not enough charging stations in Pakistan 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. The batteries are also costly and take a long time to charge. The range of the electric bikes is also limited, which means they cannot travel long distances without recharging. The EV policy is not clear and consistent in the country.
