Honda's electric motorcycle will lead the Hakone Ekiden! Tokyo Metropolitan Government to Hold "Ceremony to Unveil Domestic EV Motorcycle for the First Time" on 12/19

A new "domestic EV motorcycle" will be unveiled by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government on Friday, December 19 as part of its efforts to promote EV motorcycles. Only a silhouette of the bike has been shown to the public ahead of the announcement, but it is clearly believed to be Honda's sporty EV "WN7. The WN7, whose output is in the 600cc class but whose torque is comparable to that of a liter sports car, is not expected to be equipped with red lights!

The "domestically produced EV" motorcycle will make its first appearance in Japan! To be shown to the public at an event in January next year

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is undertaking a number of initiatives to realize "Zero Emission Tokyo," an environmentally advanced city that emits no CO2. One of the most influential plans for motorcycles is to make "100% of new motorcycles sold in Tokyo gasoline-free by 2035. Various EV motorcycles have already been introduced by various manufacturers, and we are seeing more and more of them in business and other applications. However, scooter-type EVs are now widely used, and few sportbike-type EVs are on the market. In this context, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that it will hold a ceremony on December 19 (Fri.) to unveil a "domestic EV motorcycle with motorcycle specifications," which will be used as a lead vehicle in a land-based event to be held in January next year, as a "symbolic effort to build momentum for the promotion of EV motorcycles. There have been many cases of EV bikes themselves being used by the police for some time. However, so far, only scooter-type motorcycles manufactured overseas have been used to lead marathons and relay races. This time, a "domestic motorcycle-type EV motorcycle" will make its debut as the first EV motorcycle based on a sports model that is not a scooter, and will be used by the police. At this point, only the silhouette has been announced, and the detailed base model has not been revealed.

On December 19, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government held a ceremony to unveil a new EV white motorcycle and promote new efforts to popularize EVs.

At the event, Takeshi Tsuruno, a well-known motorcycle enthusiast, is scheduled to appear on stage along with Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike.

Date and time of the ceremony

Friday, December 19, 2025: 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Location: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building No. 1, 1st floor, next to the National Tourism PR Corner

Honda "WN7" adoption is very likely. Active in policing with liter-class acceleration!

However, looking at the silhouette currently on display, riders interested in EVs will have a good idea of what to expect. Yes, it looks just like the "WN7," Honda's first "fun-ride" sports EV announced last year. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's announcement also matches the features of this model, and it is almost certain that the new EV motorcycle to be introduced this time will be based on the WN7. The "track and field event to be held in January next year" is likely to be the Hakone Ekiden (relay relay race), which is usually a grand stage for motorcycle policemen to lead the riders. The WN7 is a fun-ride model that Honda is introducing with full force based on its past EV development achievements. It has a slim, futuristic design that is unique to EVs and a cruising range of more than 130 km with a fixed lithium-ion battery. The power is middle class, equivalent to a 600cc engine, but the maximum torque is said to be comparable to that of a 1000cc engine model, making it a model that combines the lightness of a middle-sport car with the explosive power of a liter-sport car and offers the fun that only EVs can provide. At present, the introduction of the EV in Japan has not been announced, but in Europe, it has already been released as a 2026 model. The price in the UK is 12,999 euros (approximately 2,370,000 yen).

The identity of the new EV motorcycle seems certain to be the Honda WN7, with its distinctive silhouette.

The WN7 has already been launched in Europe as a 2026 model. The model is also highly anticipated for its introduction in Japan.

It is Honda's first EV motorcycle with a solid lithium-ion battery and is said to have a range of more than 130 km.

Speaking of Honda's motorcycle, it is still fresh in our minds that the NT1100, a high-speed tourer, was adopted as a new motorcycle model, which was also announced last year. The NT1100 is already being procured by police forces nationwide, and is said to be highly acclaimed for its engine power, refined comfort, and loadability, both of which are inherited from the Africa Twin. Of course, the conventional CB1300SB and Yamaha FJR1300 models are still in use, and there is no doubt that gasoline-powered motorcycles will remain in operation for some time to come. However, in the not-too-distant future, the quiet and high-speed "WN7" will play an active role in traffic stops and traffic control, which will be a major help in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's goal to popularize EVs. We hope to see the WN7 in action at the Hakone Ekiden, a traditional race at the beginning of the year!

Honda's white motorcycle has just launched its new NT1100 base model. This one will also continue to be active for some time.

Will the popularity of EVs among the public increase as compact & high-power EVs play a more active role in the market?

Honda WN7] "Be the Wind"