Honda Activa e and QC1 were brought into the light against the backdrop of a growing electric scooter market in the country. These electric scooters serve in various portions, Activa e: as a scooter zeroed in on highlights and execution, and QC1: as a scooter for section-level purchasers. Let’s hop into its amazing details.
Pricing and Variants
The Activa e: comes in two variants:
- Base Model priced at ₹1.17 lakh
- RoadSync Duo Variant priced at ₹1.52 lakh
The ₹90,000 (price in Indian rupees), cheapest electric scooter. This price tactic guarantees that Honda can have a presence in both high and low-priced segments of the market.
Activa e: Specifications and Features
The Activa e: It is powered by two exchangeable 1.5 kWh batteries, 102 km IDC range is claimed. It features a top speed of 80 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. The batteries power a swingarm-mounted motor with an output of 6 kW and 22 Nm torque, delivering strong performance.
It also operates solely on Honda’s Power Pack Exchanger e: battery-switchable stations to recharge, since at-home recharging is not available.
Battery Swapping Infrastructure
Till date, Honda has only a small battery-swapping infrastructure in the city with 83 operational stations in Bengaluru, aiming to scale up to 250 stations by 2026, with one station in every 5 km of the city. The clients out of town who live in remote areas outside the city cannot receive equal access with the cities to local change points.
QC1: Specifications and Features
It is an expensive wearable electric bike, mostly useless without a 1.5 kWh stored-energy tank, which allows you only to reach up to 80 km. It advances rapidly from 0 to 40 km/h over 9.7 s, which is sufficient for metropolitan driving.
The Honda Activa QC1 has quite a large storage capacity, as it has under-seat storage of 26 litres plus a front compartment with a USB port to charge electronic devices. It also has drum brakes at both ends for safety and it is very light (89.5 kg) which is a further advantage of its lightweight and easiness of handling.
Design Differences
Although both models are similar in terms of design, some features differ:
The Activa e consists of a high-tech look with a 7-inch TFT display, different riding modes (Eco, Standard, Sport), keyless ignition, and Bluetooth by using the Honda RoadSync Duo app.
QC1 is very straightforward in its design with a compact 5-in CRT screen, two operation modes (Eco and Standard), and practical storage for everyday use.
Market Positioning
The Activa e: competes with premium electric scooters like:
- Bajaj Chetak
- TVS iQube
- Ather 450X
- Ola S1
Its use of battery-swapping technology may be an asset or a liability depending on how quickly Honda expands its base.
A self-driving car named the QC1 has an aim group of low-budget shoppers who want affordable EV features without having to compromise on functionality. Its small size, lightweight, and storage options make it attractive to urban travellers.
Rollout Plans
Honda plans a phased rollout for these scooters:
- Deliveries for the Activa e: will begin in Bengaluru in February 2025.
- The rollout will be extended to Delhi and Mumbai by April 2025.
- Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh.
Both models will be produced at Honda’s Narsapura factory in Karnataka and distributed via the Red Wing retail network, using a shop-in-shop approach.
Honda’s launch of the Activa e: and QC1 demonstrates its dedication to green transportation in India. Although the Activa e: is equipped with advanced features for high-tech riders, the QC1 caters to price and practicality/ convenience. With the expansion of India’s EV market, these scooters will surely be an important part of urban mobility solutions that may impact their adoption initially. Through a combination of strategic pricing, differentiated technology, and a staged rollout schedule, Honda is ideally positioned to enter India’s growing market for electric two-wheelers.
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