With the launch of two electric scooters, the Activa E and the QC1, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India has finally made its foray into the Indian electric two-wheeler industry after a protracted wait. The Activa E is primarily intended for personal commutes, while the QC1 is targeted at budget-conscious consumers.
The only significant traditional two-wheeler manufacturer in India that has not jumped into the rapidly expanding electric car sector is the Japanese company. January is probably when the cost of these cars will be revealed. The QC1 has a permanent battery, whereas the Activa E comes with a swappable battery option.
Tsutsumu Otani, President, CEO, and MD of Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India, told reporters during the introduction of the two new models, “We remain committed to catering to evolving consumer needs in India.” “These models have been designed with focus on range, safety and performance,” he stated.
The 6kw direct drive motor that powers the Activa E has a range of about 102 km and a top speed of 80 km/h. The QC1 has a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion BP cell chemistry and is powered by a small in-wheel 1.8 kW motor. Its top speed is 50 km/h, and its range is about 80 km.
Honda’s Karnataka plant will produce both electric scooters. In addition to more over 6,000 sales and service locations, the carmaker operates four plants in India: Manesar (Haryana), Alwar (Rajasthan), Narsapura (Karnataka), and Vithalapur (Gujarat).
The second-largest two-wheeler company in India is the manufacturer of the well-known Activa scooter and Shine motorcycle. In 2023–2024, it shipped 3.63 lakh scooters and motorbikes and sold 45.30 lakh in India.
The carmaker has partnered with OMC Power Pvt Ltd in major cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai in an effort to facilitate battery changing.
Click Here to get the latest EV news and exclusive updates from EV Mechanica on WhatsApp!