Honda PCX Electric Scooter Patent Images Leaked; Will It Come To India?

The images hint at an electric scooter with battery swapping capabilities

Honda had announced its intentions of testing an electric scooter in India in 2020. Patent images point towards the Honda PCX. Features large wheels, a comfortable riding posture, and what looks like LED lights.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought the world to its knees, but that hasn’t deterred Honda Motorcycles from focusing on its electric endeavours. Interestingly enough, the Japanese brand has filed patents for an electric scooter in India. A scooter that looks a lot like the Honda PCX. This also adds weight to Honda’s plans of testing its EV in India this year. And if these patent images are anything to go by, we could possibly see an India specific electric scooter from Honda pretty soon.

The images of the maxi-styled scooter clearly show two possibly removable battery packs placed under the seat and what seems like microcontrollers and circuit boards seemingly placed within the floorboard and tunnel (ref. 101,102 & 325, 320, 323,324). The arrangement essentially allows Honda to centralise the mass of the scooter which aids its handling capabilities. 

The electric motor, on the other hand, seems to be placed in the swingarm (ref. image 30) and looks identical to the newly developed electric power unit seen on the PCX. The scooter’s maxi-styling will ensure it has road presence. The scooter features a telescopic fork and a twin shock setup at the rear running on what looks like large 14-inch wheels. The seat looks spacious and could accommodate two generously proportioned riders. 

While everything points at the Honda PCX electric scooter, we highly doubt it would come to India. Minoru Kato, President, CEO and MD, HMSI, already clarified that during the Activa 6G launch event. It only makes sense because the PCX would be priced as a premium offering which doesn’t sit well in a price-sensitive market like India.

Moreover, the Japanese bike maker has been known to file patents for several global models in India, most of which have never seen the light of day here. We think the brand could be testing out its battery swapping technology and electric motor options with the PCX which will be later introduced in an India-specific model.