Honda reveals Benly electric scooter for speedy pick-up and delivery services

Honda Motor Co has announced plans to begin sales of Benly e: Series business-use electric scooter models to corporate customers in Japan, in April 2020. Developed with the concept of a business e-scooter designed for everyday pick-up / delivery services, the Benly e: Series is equipped with a compact EV system that fits inside an easy-to-handle body size required for scooters used for various types of delivery services in Japan.

The Benly e: models have been developed with user-friendliness in mind for use in pick-up/delivery services such as newspaper and package delivery services. They feature a large and flat rear deck which makes it easier for users to load items they will deliver, and a reverse assist function was adopted to increase user convenience in case the scooter needs to be turned around to face in the opposite direction in a narrow space or on an inclined surface.

Four models powered by two swappable batteries
The Benly e: Series consists of four models: Benly e: I which is classified in the Class-1 Category (motorcycle with an engine displacement of less than or equal to 50cc and electric motorcycle with rated output of less than 0.6 kW), Benly e: II which is classified in the Class-2 Category (motorcycle with an engine displacement of more than 50cc and less than or equal to 125 cc and electric motorcycle with rated output of less than 1.0 kW) and Benly e: I Pro and Benly e: II Pro, which are based on their respective models and feature a large-sized front basket, large-sized rear carrier, knuckle visors and a foot brake system as standard equipment.

Benly e: models are powered by two units of the Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) detachable and easily-swappable battery. According to Honda, the Benly e: models demonstrate powerful and smooth starting and hill climbing performance even when carrying cargo. This is due to the motor which generates ample torque even from a low rev range. With drive current control technologies developed in pursuit of high efficiency, the range per charge is 87km (at 30kph on a flat road) for Benly e: I and Benly e: I Pro and 43km (at 60kph on a flat road) for Benly e: II and Benly e: II Pro.

The EV system
– Benly e: models are equipped with a 96V EV system which serially-connects two 48V MMPs, high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.
– Two MPPs are positioned side to side when viewed from the front of the scooter. The user can attach/detach two MPPs in tandem by using one handle. This structure of the MPP attaching/detaching mechanism makes it possible to position two MPPs next to each other, which contributes to easy-to-handle compact body size for the e-scooters.
– To charge the MPPs, the user will have to detach MPPs from the scooter, and connect them individually to the charger connected to an external power outlet. From a completely discharged state, the MPP can be fully charged in approximately 4 hours.
– The motor is unitised by fixing the stator and rotor inside the aluminium case and cover. The motor can be attached / detached as a unit, enhancing ease of maintenance.
– The adoption of control technology which enables efficient supply of drive current to the motor resulted in the realisation of finely tuned torque control and an increase in energy efficiency of the motor.
– Benly e: models are designed to feature smooth riding even at low speed, reverse assist, excellent range per charge and the ability to climb hills with up to a 12-degree incline even when carrying cargo with the maximum loading capacity weight.
– The reverse assist function, which contributes to the ease-of-handling, kicks in when the rider pushes both the reverse switch and starter switch while the scooter is at a stop.

Brake systems
Benly e: models feature Honda’s original combined braking system (CBS), which combines front and rear braking forces to achieve more efficient braking. The newly-developed CBS designed for a foot brake system has been adopted for the Benly e: I Pro and Benly e: II Pro, which feature a foot brake system.

Benly e: models also feature a brake lock mechanism which is handy while parking and stopping the scooter. Benly e: I and Benly e: II will keep applying the front and rear brakes when the rider operates the front/rear brake lock lever located at the front of the right and left brake levers. For Benly e: I Pro and Benly e: II Pro, the rider engages the brake lock function using the front brake lock lever located at the front of the right brake lever and rear brake lock knob located underneath the inner pocket.

Other features
– A hexagonally-shaped and energy-saving LED headlight has a simple and stylish design and lowers the ground height of the mounting position of the front basket.
– All Benly e: models feature a meter panel that displays various information about the EV system in an easy-to-understand manner. In addition to the speedometer and a clock, the meter panel has settings to display the remaining battery level of MPPs, the reverse indicator which comes on when the scooter is put into reverse and the side stand indicator which comes on when the side stand is in use.
– Benly e: models also feature an accessory socket for charging of mobile devices.