Atlas Honda rolls out first electric scooter in two-wheel EV push

KARACHI: Atlas Honda Ltd., Pakistan's largest motorcycle maker, launched its first electric scooter on Tuesday, marking its entry into the two-wheel EV segment in the country.

The company, a joint venture between Atlas Group and Honda Motor Co., unveiled the 'BENLY e' scooter at a ceremony at its Sheikhupura factory, where it also celebrated its 60th anniversary of operations in Pakistan.

The scooter will be offered for test marketing, and the company will introduce new products based on the feedback from the market and customers, Noriaki Abe, Chief Officer of Motorcycle and Power Products at Atlas Honda, said at the event.

"Honda products have become an essential part of the daily life of many in Pakistan," Abe said. "We will continue to provide products that meet the needs and expectations of our customers."

The launch comes as Pakistan is seeking to promote electric vehicles as part of its efforts to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The government approved an ambitious National Electric Vehicles Policy (NEVP) in 2019 that aimed at seeing electric vehicles take 30 percent share of all the passenger vehicle and heavy-duty truck sales by 2030, and 90 percent by 2040. A more ambitious goal was set for two- and three-wheelers and buses at 50 percent of new sales by 2030 and 90 percent by 2040.

Atlas Honda, which has a market share of 85 percent in the two- and three-wheel segment, according to Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association data, said it is ready to embrace the EV revolution.

Shinji Aoyama, Executive Vice President and COO of Honda Motor, and Toshio Kuwahara, President & CEO of Asian Honda Motor, also attended the ceremony. Aoyama said that the mobility industry is going through a rapid transformation and Honda Motor is well positioned for the future.

Kuwahara said that Pakistan is an important market and Honda will strive to introduce attractive products for Pakistani customers. Saquib H. Shirazi, President and CEO of Atlas Honda, said that the company has expanded its product line up and achieved localization of up to 95 percent.

"The company developed the largest network of local auto parts manufacturers and dealers. With more than 10,000 touchpoints, the company has created direct employment opportunities for more than 150,000 people," Shirazi said. In 2022-23, Atlas Honda sold over 1 million motorcycles out of the total 1.18 million total two- and three-wheel unit sales.