Honda Activa Electric To Get Motor Similar To Hero Vida V1

Honda has applied for a patent of a motor that’s easier to maintain compared to a hub motor

Honda seems to be brewing something interesting in its backyard. Its first electric scooter, presumably called the Honda Activa Electric, is all set to be launched some time in 2024. Now, it looks like Honda is aiming to get things right, as a patent of its new electric motor layout has surfaced online. 

As you can see, the singarm extends into an arc-like structure, and there are mounting points for the electric motor on its circumference. The motor sits inside the arc, and the motor’s shaft is connected to the wheel. What’s the difference between this and a hub motor, you wonder? Well, in this case, the motor does not sit within the wheel, but rather next to it, similar to the Hero Vida V1. On the other hand, the hub motor is mounted inside the wheel. The problem with hub motors is that many local mechanics and tyre puncture shops refuse to tinker with hub-mounted wheels as they are tricky to remove in case of a puncture. We've also faced this issue with our TVS iQube Electric.

In such cases, having a motor construction like the one in Honda’s patent will help in easy removal and maintenance of the wheel. That way, the repairs are less expensive, and can be done by amateur mechanics as well.

Another important point to note is that the e-scooter comes with a floorboard-mounted battery pack. Since it’s not located under the seat, it’s unlikely to be a removable unit. That said, this is in contrast to Honda’s initiative of partnering with Hindustan Petroleum to set up swap stations across the country. With this in mind, it could be possible that Honda is working on multiple electric scooters, some with fixed and some with removable battery packs. The fixed ones will likely be less expensive, owing to the simpler chassis engineering required. More details about Honda’s EV plans will be revealed on March 29, 2023.