Honda's New Electric Moped Cheaper Than Gasoline Version
- Mar 5
- 1 min read
Honda is going all in on small, affordable electric two-wheelers with the launch of a the new ICONe that undercuts its own gasoline equivalent.
The snazzy new electric moped is set to go on sale in the Japanese market next month at a price of 220,000 yen (approx. US$1,400), including tax. Local media reports that the price is roughly 10 percent cheaper than the equivalent gasoline-powered mopeds Honda introduced late last year.
By pricing the ICONe below its gasoline counterpart, Honda is making a strong statement that electric isn’t just the cleaner option anymore - it can also be the cheaper one.
Furthermore, the ICONe can be ridden with a moped license (as opposed to a motorcycle license), which means it is available to riders aged 16 and up. That lowers the barrier to entry significantly and opens the door to younger riders and urban commuters looking for an affordable, low-maintenance option.
It offers a claimed range of 81 km (50 miles) per charge, which Honda says is more than sufficient considering that typical moped riders travel less than 10 km (6 miles) per day. In many cases, that could mean charging just once a week.
The extra good news for those seeking a cleaner and cheaper city runaround, the bike uses the company's Mobile Power Pack removable battery pack that can be taken indoors for charging or swapped at Honda’s swapping stations. So, no need for any range anxiety as, in recent years, Honda has been steadily expanding its swappable battery ecosystem for a range of light electric two-wheelers in Asian markets.
