Honda Motor Co. announced it will launch its latest electric motorbike, the Honda UC3, in Vietnam in June. The Vietnamese government plans to gradually restrict gas-powered motorbikes in central Hanoi starting in July. Honda aims to maintain its 80% market share in the country, known for widespread use of lightweight motorcycles.
Honda Motor Co. announced on January 12, 2026, that it will launch the Honda UC3, its latest electric motorbike, in Vietnam in June. The vehicle can travel about 120 kilometers on a single charge, with performance equivalent to a 110cc-class gas-powered two-wheeler. The price remains undecided.
The Vietnamese government intends to gradually restrict gas-powered motorbikes in central Hanoi starting in July. In response, Honda plans to expand its electric motorcycle lineup to three models by July 2026. The company introduced its first electric motorbike in Vietnam in April 2025, trailing local manufacturer VinFast, which currently leads the electric segment.
Vietnam is a massive market for lightweight motorcycles, where Honda holds an 80% share. Details of the regulations, including prohibited areas and times, have not been specified by local authorities. Sayaka Arai, president of Honda's Vietnamese subsidiary, stated, “The impact of the regulations on the industry is significant and we will lobby [the Vietnamese government] to apply [them] gradually.”
This launch represents Honda's strategic push amid Vietnam's transition to greener transportation. The company seeks to sustain its market dominance while advocating for a phased regulatory rollout.
