Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI) is set to begin accepting reservations for the Activa E and QC1 on January 1, with plans to initiate deliveries starting in February.
Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India has announced that it will commence bookings for its new electric scooters, the Activa E and QC1, starting January 1. The company has set an ambitious target to produce 100,000 units of these models in their first year of production. This initiative is a part of Honda’s broader strategy to cement its foothold in the burgeoning electric vehicle market in India.
With an annual production capacity of approximately 6.2 million two-wheelers across its four manufacturing facilities in Manesar, Alwar, Narsapura, and Vithalapur, Honda is well-equipped to support this new venture. The production of the Activa E and QC1 will be based at the Narsapura factory. Honda plans to unveil the prices of these models in January, with deliveries expected to begin in February.
In terms of local components, Yogesh Mathur, HMSI’s director of sales and marketing, highlighted that the company has achieved approximately 99% localisation, sourcing batteries from domestic suppliers. The Activa E features a 6kw direct drive motor, offering a range of about 102 km and a maximum speed of 80 km per hour. It also includes swappable batteries available at Honda’s Power Pack Exchangers.
Currently, Honda’s battery swapping network, Power Pack Exchanger, is operational in Bengaluru and Delhi, with plans to expand to Mumbai. The network comprises about 88 stations in Bengaluru alone, with aspirations to grow to around 500 stations by March 2026. These facilities will also support vehicles from other manufacturers.
The QC1, on the other hand, includes fixed batteries and is powered by a compact in-wheel 1.8 kw motor, providing a range of approximately 80 km and a top speed of 50 km per hour.
Honda is the second-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in India. During the fiscal year 2023-24, it sold 45.30 lakh scooters and motorcycles domestically and exported 3.63 lakh units. The company plans to implement a phased rollout for its electric scooters, initially focusing on Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. Despite its vast network of over 6,000 sales and service touchpoints, including Red Wing dealerships, Honda intends to sell its electric vehicles through these existing facilities without creating a separate network for them.
This strategic move not only underscores Honda’s commitment to expanding its electric vehicle portfolio but also aims to capture a significant share of India’s electric two-wheeler market within the first year of launch.
