Honda allows other manufacturers to use its replaceable battery: the goal is to turn it into something more than just a simple component

25/10/2026 07:00

Updated to

25/10/2026 07:00

Honda has decided to expand the use of its swapable batteries beyond its own electric vehicles and is now allowing other companies to incorporate this technology into their products in the United States. This initiative targets motorcycle manufacturers, light industrial vehicles, and electrical equipment that need power without relying on conventional charging times, though no specific agreements with other brands have been announced yet.

The decision comes after several years of development and commercial deployment of the Mobile Power Pack e:, a removable battery that Honda already uses in some of its scooters and which is also part of various mobility projects in Asia. Its expansion into North America coincides with the recognition it received at The Battery Show 2026 in Detroit, where the company was awarded the Sustainability & Circular Economy Excellence Award for its reusable energy storage solution.

A battery that Honda wants to bring from electric motorcycles to airports

Honda's business goal is to enable other manufacturers to design their own vehicles and equipment around a common power system, so that the same battery can be used in different applications. The company believes this approach helps reduce downtime associated with charging and makes use of shared infrastructure, especially in professional services where vehicles need to operate for much of the day.

In fact, the Japanese company has already demonstrated some applications beyond conventional motorcycles, such as vehicles for passenger transport within airports and equipment for moving luggage, presented at the ACI-NA 2026 conference. It also uses this technology in the Fastport eQuad, an electric delivery vehicle equipped with two removable modules, while its proposal for the United States initially focuses on business agreements with manufacturers rather than direct battery sales to individuals.

A capacity of over 1.3 kWh and a charging process that can be completed in seconds

The Mobile Power Pack e: has an energy capacity of 1,314 Wh, a nominal voltage of 50.26 volts, and a capacity of 26.1 Ah, with a continuous power output of 2.5 kW and IP65 protection against dust and water. Each unit weighs 10.2 kilograms, and its design allows multiple modules to be installed in the same vehicle, as seen with Honda EM1 e: and CUV e: scooters, which use this technology to avoid connecting the vehicle directly to a charging station.

Honda's commercial experience in India demonstrates how the system functions when there is specific infrastructure, as its Honda e:Swap service uses automated stations where depleted modules are replaced with others charged using stored energy. According to the company, the process can be completed in less than a minute, and compatible vehicles come in various configurations, with some two-wheeler models featuring two batteries while three-wheeler models use four.

Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki Already Share This Technology in Japan

This partnership has also extended to vehicle development, as Honda reached an agreement to supply Yamaha with an electric motorcycle equipped with its removable battery system. However, the commercial rollout announced in the United States is still at a different stage compared to that in Japan and India, as Honda has not confirmed which companies will adopt its modules nor presented an American network of swapping stations; thus, its expansion will depend on manufacturers adopting the technology and the infrastructure developed around it.