Honda and Yamaha are believed to be readying electric motorcycles in about a couple of years.

Yamaha may launch electric motorcycles by 2010, with can travel up to 100 km on a single charge.

Honda's lithium-ion battery electric motorcycles will come out in 2011, targeting customers such as Japan's postal service. This may prompt a shift of about about 90,000 motorbikes to electric models.

Officials at Honda and Yamaha, while confirming the move on electric bikes, are not keen on divulging the specifics, including prices and timing.

Lithium-ion batteries, used in laptop computers and mobile phones, may help enhance the plug-in hybrids.

Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi are in joint ventures to develop lithium-ion batteries for cars with Matsushita Electric, NEC Corp group and GS Yuasa Corp.