BREAKING: Honda Unveils the Activa E and QC1 E-Scooters

Honda’s first electric scooters for India are finally here!

Quick News Highlights:

• Activa E gets removable batteries, QC1 gets a fixed battery

• Bookings open 1 Jan 2025 & delivery by Feb 2025

• Activa electric gets an in-board motor and QC1 has a hub-mounted one

Honda has officially entered the Indian two wheeler electric vehicle market with its first-ever electric scooters: the ACTIVA e: and the QC1. These are only unveiled for now and will be launched in January 2025. The deliveries for these electric scooters will commence in February 2025 in a phased manner, beginning with Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. Honda will bring the scooters to more Indian cities later. 

Honda Activa e:

The new Honda Activa e: electric features an overall minimalistic styling with a sleek headlight and taillight profile. It gets 12-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and features a single piece grab-rail for the pillion.

It is available in two variants with two 1.5kWh removable batteries. Honda claims the electric Activa range will be 102km. These batteries can be swapped at Honda’s dedicated swapping stations. Unfortunately, there’s no way to charge these batteries at home or anywhere else, and will need to be swapped once drained.

In terms of performance, the electric Activa’s motor makes 6kW (peak) and 22Nm. That allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60kmph in 7.3 seconds (claimed). There are 3 riding modes – Econ, Standard, and Sport, that alter the e-scooter’s performance and range. 

The two variants are named Honda RoadSync Duo and just Activa e:. The Honda RoadSync Duo is the top variant that gets smartphone connectivity, topple alert, maintenance alert, call and music control, navigation, live tracking, OTA updates, and a 7-inch TFT screen. The Activa e: is the base variant and misses out on all the connectivity features and gets a 5-inch TFT screen instead. Both the variants get all-LED lighting.

It gets a ground clearance of 171mm and has a kerb weight of 118kg for the base variant and 119kg for the top variant. Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork and a 3-step adjustable spring loaded hydraulic monoshock. Wheel sizes are 12-inch at both ends with a 90-section tyre  at the front and a 110-section tyre at the rear.

Honda QC1

The new Honda QC1 looks quite similar to the Activa e:, however the main visual difference is the lack of an LED DRL on the handlebar cover and simple alloy wheels.

It is powered by a single 1.5kWh fixed Lithium-ion battery that allows it a claimed range of up to 80 km on a single charge. Since it has a fixed battery, the QC1 comes with a wall charger that can charge the battery from 0 to 80% in a claimed 4.5 hours.

The electric scooter has a hub-mounted motor that makes 1.8kW and has a claimed top speed of 50kmph. This electric scooter has two riding modes – Standard and Econ, which optimise power and range. The QC1 features all-LED lighting, a 5.0-inch LCD display, a USB Type-C charging outlet, and a 26 litre under seat storage compartment.

The QC1 0 12-inch front wheel and a 10-inch rear, both wrapped with 90-section tyres. It gets a telescopic fork and 5-step adjustable hydraulic dual shocks. The ground clearance is 169mm and it weighs 89.5kg kerb.

Colours:

Both the electric scooters are available in the same five paint shades; four pearl colours and one matt shade. The options are: Pearl Serenity Blue, Pearl Igneous Black, Pearl Shallow Blue, Pearl Misty White and Matt Foggy Silver Metallic 

Price and Launch 

The Honda ACTIVA e: and QC1  will be launched in January, and will be available through Honda’s existing dealer network, initially in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Honda is offering a 3-year or 50km warranty on both models, along with three free services during the first year and complimentary roadside assistance for the first 12 months.

The Activa e: is expected to be priced at around Rs 1.3 lakh, while the QC1 at about Rs 1 lakh (both prices ex-showroom). Bookings for the electric scooters will open on January 1, 2025, with deliveries slated to begin in February 2025.