The Honda x Muji MS01 E-Bike at PHP 40,000

Due to unstoppable increase of fuel prices, people are now mindful of the alternatives to combat the heavy expenses on transportation. One of the immediate solution to this is the use of Electronic Bikes or popularly known as E-Bikes.

There are wide range of designs and manufacturers to choose from, as this kind of technology is becoming more popular everyday.

Just so you know, the very first electric bicycles were documented in the 1880's and 1890's in the patent offices in both France and the United States. In France, one of the earliest was a three wheeled electric contraption, the motor power controlled with a hand-held lever system without any pedals.

With a lot of brands and collaborations out there, we will focus on one particular brand, The Honda Muji

Brand collaborations aren’t uncommon in the automotive and fashion worlds—and lately, we’ve been seeing more of them in motorbikes, too. In July, 2022, it’s apparently Honda’s turn, as the OEM teams up with Japanese mega-retail giant MUJI on a new e-bike design, the MS01. The minimalist take on a simple e-bike showcases simplicity and functionality within a pleasing, modern form

We all know about Honda, from their popular car designs and motorcycles, Honda has its hands in a wide range of manufacturing. This includes watercraft, ATVs, aircraft, mountain bikes, lawn equipment, and solar cells. The humanoid robot ASIMO is the latest model in Honda's robotic research.

On the other hand, what should we know about the company Muji?

Founded in 1980, Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd., or Muji is a Japanese retail company which sells a wide variety of household and consumer goods. Muji's design philosophy is minimalist, and it places an emphasis on recycling, reducing production and packaging waste, and a no-logo or "no-brand" policy. The name Muji is derived from the first part of Mujirushi Ryōhin, translated as No-Brand Quality Goods on Muji's European website. Muji is most well-known for its philosophy of functional, quality design with a Japanese minimalistic aesthetic, offered at a reasonable price.

Now, let’s see The Honda x Muji MS01.

Top speed is around 15 mph—so it really is just meant for local commuting. A single charge will get you around a claimed 40 miles of riding—which is pretty useful if you live close to where you work, go to school, or do errands like grocery shopping. Beyond that, clearly, you’d need something with a bit longer range.

It's a pedal-assisted, sit-down scooter, and it's surprisingly straightforward. To begin with, the U-shaped body of the scooter and the small bike pedals provide easy access for riders of all sizes. Additionally, the scooter has traditional handlebars with basic features designed to keep prices low and operation straightforward. As a result, the electric scooter has no additional functionality beyond a standard electric bike.

The MS01’s defining features include large 17-inch wheels, keyless unlocking, LCD instrument panel, aluminum alloy handlebars, and LED front and rear headlights. The bike reportedly only needs to be charged 1-2 times a week based on average daily use and is powered by a 400W motor and 48V lithium battery capable of a cruising range of 65 km.

According to Muji, MS01 will cost in the Philippines roughly around PHP 40,000 when it became locally available.

Cheerio!