MUJI x Honda Join Forces To Debut A New Minimalist Electric Bike

MUJI brings its minimalist aesthetic to Honda’s engineering prowess to deliver—wait for it—an electric bike. The MS01 mixes comfort with practicality for an understated yet powerful ride through the city.   

MUJI’s creative director Kenya Hara did most of the vehicle’s design, drawing inspiration from MUJI’s H-Type bicycle. Meanwhile, the bike’s engine and interfaces were made in-house at Honda.

The single-seat e-bike has large 17-inch wheels, aluminum handlebars, an LCD panel, LED front and rear headlights, and keyless unlocking. Its 48V battery only needs to be charged one to two times a week.

With a motor capacity of 400W, it is also able to achieve maximum speeds of 15 miles per hour and can travel a distance of about 40 miles—pretty impressive for a bike created by a stationery goods store.   

In line with MUJI’s understated color palette, the bike can be found in black and white options. A dual colorway of black and white has been conceptualized but is yet to hit the markets.

Currently, the range is only being sold in China, with an international release yet to be announced. Each bike is being sold for RMB4,980 (US$744) and is available via the WeChat app.

This isn’t MUJI’s first time at the electric vehicle rodeo. It previously designed a self-driving bus with the Finnish company, Sensible 4, called Gacha, that can be driven in all weathers. 

[via Hypebeast and Yanko Design, images via MUJI]