Honda Motor Co. has launched its first electric motorbike in Vietnam, entering the growing but competitive electric vehicle segment in one of the world’s largest two-wheeler markets. The ICON e:, manufactured at the company’s Vinh Phuc factory, will be priced below 29 million dong ($1,130) excluding the battery when sales begin in April.
The electric scooter targets high school students with a 1.5-kilowatt lithium-ion battery allowing a 50-kilometer range and top speed of 48 kilometers per hour. The model features a removable battery that can be charged separately within 7.5 hours.
With 77 million registered motorcycles for a population of 101 million, Vietnam represents a critical testing ground for Honda’s global electric motorcycle strategy. The company currently controls about 80% of Vietnam’s traditional motorbike market but faces established competition in the electric segment from homegrown VinFast, which sold nearly 71,000 electric motorbikes in 2024.
The launch comes as Hanoi battles worsening air pollution, with city officials searching for solutions amid ambitious economic growth targets of 8% this year and double digits by 2026.
