While the world is moving towards the development of electric vehicles (EV) to replace internal-combustion motor vehicles, the path to electric motorcycles remains blurred.
Most countries, including Thailand, have not set out clear direction to introduce electric motorbikes and have yet to tackle critical issues that hamper the shift.
Takahiro Hachigo, chief executive of Honda Motor, the world's largest motorcycle producer and a leading global carmaker, reckons that the EV evolution is propelled by government policies obligating automakers to stop selling motor vehicles run by both petrol and diesel.
The shift to EV is ramping up in the European Union, with the UK and France announcing recently that the sales of new diesel and petrol-powered vehicles will be banned by 2040.
Meanwhile, China, the world's largest car market, followed suit but moved up the date by 10 years to 2030 to prohibit the sale of such vehicles.
China also requires automakers to power at least 10% of new vehicles produced or sold in and after 2019 with new energy sources, like electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell cars.
Chinese-owned carmaker Volvo announced in July that all new cars it sells will, from 2019 onwards, be fully or partially electric.
There is a greater awareness to move forward and replace vehicles powered by conventional engines that emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide with EVs and other new energy vehicles in line with the goals under the Paris climate accord.
Mr Hachigo, whose company sold some 17 million motorbikes in the year to March 2016, says issues impeding e-motorcycles are somewhat identical to those EV development faces.
Higher vehicle prices, limited driving range per charge, availability of supporting infrastructures such as charging stations and most importantly, consumer reaction to the electric motorcycles collectively act as impediments to manufacturers investing fully in the production of these vehicles.
There are also issues related to the safety standards of vehicles as well as safe and environmentally friendly disposal of batteries used for EV and e-motorbikes.
Mr Hachigo says Honda is looking into and learning about what is required to shift into e-motorbikes and is experimenting with technologies suited to different countries.
Yoichi Mizutani, president of AP Honda Co, the Thai motorcycle unit of Honda, says there is no Thai government policy to debut e-motorcycles.
Thai authorities seem to be preoccupied with drafting directives for EV, for which they have provided a clearer picture, especially on investment incentives.
AP Honda has initiated discussions with various Thai state agencies about laying down directives about future production and sales of e-motorbikes.
AP Honda has had a lion's share in Thailand's motorcycle market for years and is on course to record sales of 1.47 million units this year, representing nearly 80% of the overall market.
Honda officials did not indicate how soon e-motorcycles from Honda will be distributed commercially.
The lack of state policy on e-motorcycles has not diminished Honda's intention to go electric.
Next year, AP Honda plans to introduce in Thailand the electric and hybrid versions of its PCX scooter series, which were unveiled at the recent Tokyo Motor Show.
The goal is seen as a showcase for Honda's capability and an entry into the e-motorbike segment as well as am opportunity to gauge Thai market reaction to the new products.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda also displayed Honda Riding Assist-e, indicating the expanding engagement of e-motorbikes -- the e-motorcycle model was developed by applying proprietary balance control technologies Honda amassed through research in robotics.
The motorcycle self-balances and mitigates the risk of a fall during low-speed riding and stopping.
"This model represents Honda's proposal for how we can offer motorcycle riders greater peace of mind and make life with motorcycles more fun for people,'' says the Honda chief.
Mr Hachigo spoke about Honda's commitment guiding its development towards a carbon-free society.
Last year, Honda announced the intention to electrify two-thirds of its global automobile sales by 2030.
"And we are evolving our products toward the realisation of this goal," Mr Hachigo said.
The 2030 target represents an ambitious leap from the current level, whereby 5-10% of all Honda car sales worldwide are EV and electric hybrid.
Honda sold over 4.7 million cars in the fiscal year to March 2016.
In the calendar year 2016, the international automotive industry produced 72 million cars, according to an industry estimate.
Meanwhile, Honda Automobile Thailand, the local assembler of Honda cars, will be seeking investment privileges for hybrid electric car production, reflecting the company's view that the region is more ready to take off with hybrid electric vehicles, rather than battery electric vehicle or fuel-cell electric vehicles.