Green bikes to debut in Tokyo: Firms gearing up for electric and hydrogen future at Japan Mobility Show

Honda and Suzuki are preparing to reveal their latest ‘green’ two-wheeled projects, with both electric and hybrid options set to appear at the Japan Mobility Show, from 26 October to 5 November.

Honda have announced they will display an SC E electric scooter concept, the first of a raft of electric machines due in production by 2025. While Suzuki will be showing its prototype hydrogen powered Burgman maxi-scooter along with a prototype ‘e-Burgman’ electric scooter.

Kawasaki are also expected to show an electric ‘J’ scooter following the recent launch of its Ninja e-1 ad Z e-1 electric bikes.

The unveilings come at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, the new name for the former Tokyo Motor Show. First held in 1954, the mostly bi-annual exhibition has traditionally been a showcase for pioneering concepts and technology from Japan’s leading bike and automotive producers and has regularly debuted concept motorcycles which later evolved into production models. Famous examples of these include Yamaha’s MT-01 and Suzuki’s B-King.

With the previous 2021 show cancelled due to COVID-19 and the industry increasingly focused on a greener future, this year’s event has been rebranded as the Japan Mobility Show and claims it is “a show where visitors can experience the future in Japan.”

The SC-E will be just one of a range of concept electric Honda products on show, including cars and mobility scooters, with one of its stand-out features being its twin swappable batteries designed to eliminate the waiting time for battery charging.

Suzuki, meanwhile, along with their first EV car and electric vans, are set to display this prototype 125cc equivalent electric scooter, the ‘e-Burgman’, along with a concept maxi-scooter based on a 400 Burgman but with 70MPa hydrogen tank and hydrogen engine.