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Plug and play with Honda’s CUV e:
03 July 2025
Plug and play with Honda’s CUV e:
Paul Browne is an archetypal petrolhead. He slaps on Eau de Two-Stroke after a shave.
So what does he make of Honda’s latest battery-powered scooter, the cumbersomely named CUV e:?
Appropriately enough, he’s quietly impressed.
Honda’s new CUV e: is the Japanese bike giant’s latest offering to the two wheeled EV world.
It has two 1.3kW h lithium ion batteries that can be charged via a domestic socket, a 6kW E-Drive motor and can reach speeds of up to 83 kph.
It also has reverse to make it easier to negotiate out of tight parking spaces and such.
Using one to defeat the morning commute, however, allows the rider to command the respect that comes with being environmentally conscious. More, and better, smugness comes when you realise that with this nippy number you’ll be spending a fraction of the money on fuel.
Battery packed
It has everything you need.
A completely flat battery will charge to a completely full one in six hours and to 75% in half that time.
LED lights save weight as does the TFT screen which displays all the critical information such as speed and level of charge remaining. It also has a smart key.
Whilst the name may seem pretentious it does offer both logic and heritage.
CUV e: stands for Clean Urban Vehicle Electric, the new machine coming 30-years plus on from Honda’s first electric two-wheeler, the CUV ES. Yes, Clean Urban Vehicle Electric Scooter.
It’s part of the company’s quest to become completely carbon neutral by the 2040s. The good news is tat this nippy number feels like a conventional 125cc petrol burner. In contrast, the one from a few recent years ago was tiny in both size as well as range.
Caring conservatism
The motor on the CUV e: sits off to the left hand side of the rear wheel. It offers up to 6kW of deliverable power along with 22Nm of torque and has the heft necessary to carry as many as 100 kilos up a 5% gradient.
It’ll accelerate from zero to 100Kph in about ten seconds.
Whilst the numbers are decidedly conservative it’s still designed to take a passenger. It even has pillion grab bars.
Riding modes included are econ, standard and sport.
In spite of all this tech the chassis is still decidedly old school. It sits on conventional 12” wheels, has a set of standard forks and even a drum brake on the rear!
A flat floor helps it remain unintimidating.
OK, there’s very little space under the seat, but there is a top box available as an optional dealer fit extra.
As well as the top box there is an option to add hand guards, an alarm and a taller screen. In addition, Honda offers a specific domestic charger.
Premium perks
A premium version is also available.
This one has Honda’s Roadsync Duo, a Bluetooth link to the rider’s phone.
It comes with a bigger seven-inch TFT screen which allows for easier navigation as well as finding charging points. This is able to update itself via Hondas’ Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. The latest features for your CUV e:? Always on tap.
When it arrives, the scooter will be available in three colours, Premium Silver Metallic, Matte Gunpowder Black Metallic and Pearl Jubilee White.
Prices aren’t available yet, but if you talk to your local Honda dealer they’ll no doubt offer to plug you into the most current updates.
