Kawasaki motorcycles to go full electric by 2035

KHI creates Kawasaki Motors subsidiary

It seems that all vehicles (including motorcycles), are destined to become battery-powered in the near future. Honda, BMW, as well as Yamaha, have all announced their plans to go full electric by 2050. For Kawasaki, their deadline is much sooner, being in 14 years' time.

By 2035, according to the Kobe-based manufacturer, all of their motorcycles sold will be electric-powered.

Bikes under Kawasaki Motors

Making this shift in such a short time will require laser focus. As such, the parent company is making some structural changes. To help the company maximize its resources and to increase management flexibility, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has spun off its motorcycle division into the aptly named Kawasaki Motors.

Kawasaki Motors will focus solely on the motorcycle business. KHI, meanwhile, will continue to oversee the company's interests in producing aircraft, ships, industrial equipment, and trains.

“Outdoor leisure activity has been popular during the COVID pandemic. We will strengthen our environmental efforts with our sights set on post-pandemic lifestyles,” said Yasuhiko Hashimoto, president of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. He then added that, “the parent company will concentrate on the energy business, including hydrogen, while peripheral operations, such as motorcycles, and rolling stock are spun off to increase management flexibility.”

Kawasaki Motors aims to boost sales up to US$ 9-billion and raise its operating profit margin to over 8% from the previous 6.1% by the fiscal year 2030.

These electric motorcycles in the pipeline for 2035 are so far intended for markets in developed nations, like Japan, the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.