The wait is over. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) entered the next era of mobility with the introduction of ‘ACTIVA e:’ and ‘QC1’ in the electric vehicle segment. The unveiling of the iconic Activa brand in an all-new electrified avatar along with the QC1 marks a pivotal moment in the brand’s commitment to sustainable mobility in India. Bookings for the two new electric scooters will begin on 1 January, 2025, and deliveries will commence from February 2025 onwards.
Currently, several EV two-wheelers are offered by different manufacturers in the country including Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor, Ola, Ather, and many other players. According to Vahan’s report, the first 11 months of 2024 saw 10,74,041 E2W sales, which was a 37 per cent increase from the same period in 2023. Despite the month-on-month decline, E2W sales increased year-on-year. This was due to a wider product portfolio from EV players at affordable price points. Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor, and Ola continued to lead the top three slots. With the entry of HMSI, the battle will further intensify in terms of sales and market share.
“Today is a very significant day as HMSI steps into the electric mobility space. The introduction of ACTIVA e: and QC1 marks a defining step in our commitment to sustainable mobility in India. It is in line with Honda’s global ‘Triple Action to ZERO’ concept to realise carbon neutrality by 2050, which focuses on three areas: carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation. With our EV roadmap now in the execution phase, HMSI is committed to build one of India’s
best EV ecosystems. This is a milestone moment in Honda’s journey to
electrification, and with every step forward, we are focused on building a future that is safer, more sustainable & meets the evolving needs of our society,” said Tsutsumu Otani, MD, President & CEO, HMSI after introducing the two new EV scooters to Indian customers.
Electric avatar of Activa
The all-new ACTIVA e: is a groundbreaking step into the world of electric mobility, all while staying true to the brand’s iconic legacy. Equipped with an all-LED headlight & tail lamp along with smiling DRLs, the ACTIVA e: lights up the road with style, offering a sleek, striking appeal that is both bold and refined. The new model is designed to offer a combination of elegance and distinct appeal in the Indian EV market. It will be offered in Pearl Shallow Blue, Pearl Misty White, Pearl Serenity Blue, Matt Foggy Silver Metallic, and Pearl Igneous Black colours. In terms of technology innovation, the new scooter is set to elevate the riding experience of modern customers. At the heart of its advanced feature list is a 7.0-inch TFT screen that offers real-time connectivity with the Honda RoadSync Duo app, allowing riders to stay connected and updated at all times.
The in-vehicle infotainment system supports navigation and also gets day and night modes which optimise the screen’s brightness and readability as per ambient light automatically. The TFT screen can be controlled by using toggle switches placed on the handlebar. The ACTIVA e: also comes with Honda’s H-Smart key that gets features like Smart Find, Smart Safe, Smart Unlock, and Smart Start.
“We are ecstatic to mark our entry into the Indian EV market with not just one but two all-new electric vehicles, marking a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving sustainability by providing cleaner mobility solutions. In line with the global direction, we are introducing these new two-wheelers to electrify your dreams. With ACTIVA e:’s swappable battery technology and QC1’s fixed battery set-up along with the industry-leading hassle-free ownership experience, we are striving to meet the diverse needs of our customers. Moreover, to ensure the highest level of safety for our technicians and the vehicle, we are introducing industry-first insulated tools designed specifically for the servicing of electric vehicles. Together, let us ride towards a cleaner future,” said Yogesh Mathur, Director, Sales and Marketing, HMSI.
To ensure the highest level of safety for our technicians and the vehicle, we are introducing industry-first insulated tools designed specifically for the servicing of electric vehicles
The ACTIVA e: introduces a new era of convenience and efficiency in electric mobility with its swappable battery technology, allowing for a quick and easy recharge to keep riders on the go. It is equipped with Honda Mobile Power Pack e: which are swappable batteries developed and maintained by Honda Power Pack Energy India. The ACTIVA e: gets two such swappable batteries, each of 1.5 kWh capacity, and it is tested to offer a range of 102 km on a full charge.
The swappable batteries can be exchanged with the help of designated Honda Power Pack Exchanger e: (BeX swapping stations) planned across the city for a seamless experience. It is already live in Bengaluru and Delhi and will be soon started in Mumbai as well. Powering the ACTIVA e: is an advanced in-house developed permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that delivers 6 kW of peak power and 22 Nm of torque for impressive performance. It can sprint from 0 to 60 kph in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 80 kph. The ACTIVA e: gets three riding modes, namely Eco, Standard, and Sport.
Along with HMSI’s popular model, Activa in electric avatar, the Japanese two-wheeler giant also introduced another EV scooter called QC1. This is a personal mobility solution that combines fluidic design and sophisticated engineering. Its seamless styling symbolises elegance with its smooth body lines flowing across the surface.
Easy to charge with advanced battery and technology
The Honda QC1 is powered by a 1.5 kWh fixed battery pack that has been rigorously tested to provide an impressive range of 80 km on a single charge, enabling riders to travel with ease. Charging the QC1 is effortless at home with a 330-watt off-board home charger that comes with auto-cut technology, ensuring a safe and efficient charging process.
It can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in 4 hours 30 minutes while a full charge will take 6 hours and 50 minutes. The QC1 gets an in-wheel electric motor that has a peak power rating of 1.8 kW and maximum torque of 77 Nm. It has a top speed of 50 kph. Moreover, there are two riding modes, Standard and Eco, that adjust power and efficiency based on the rider’s preference, delivering a tailored riding experience.
We are ecstatic to mark our entry into the Indian EV market with not just one but two all-new electric vehicles
The Honda QC1 has many useful features. There is a 5.0-inch all-info LCD display that offers all the vehicle information in a simplified manner at one glance. For added utility, it gets a USB Type-C outlet to charge all one’s personal mobile devices on the go, along with an ample 26-litre under-seat storage box, making the QC1 perfect for daily commutes.
Honda is raising the bar in the EV segment with the launch of ACTIVA e: and QC1, setting a new standard for customer satisfaction. Both these electric scooters will be sold via HMSI’s existing selected dealer network. The ACTIVA e: will be available in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with deliveries starting from February 2025 onwards. The QC1 will be initially available in select cities from February 2025 onwards.
Both the EV models will be manufactured at HMSI’s Narsapura plant near Bengaluru in Karnataka. These models will be offered with 3 years or 50,000 km warranty along with three free services for the first year. Honda is aiming to elevate the customer experience to unparalleled heights by providing free roadside assistance for the first year.
HMSI has made a late entry into the EV segment at a time other EV players are already offering products in the market. HMSI’s advantage lies in leveraging its popular model, Activa, in an electric avatar. The brand name is expected to help HMSI take on the competition. If priced attractively, the Activa and QC1 electric scooters are likely to perform well in the market, boosting HMSI’s sales numbers and market share.