Honda to Launch First Electric Scooters in India: Activa e: and QC 1

If you’ve been keeping an eye on Honda’s EV developments, you’ll know the Mobile Power Pack e: (HMPP e:) has been making waves in various applications over the years.

It’s powered scooters in Japan, Europe, and Indonesia. It’s been used in construction tools, backup generators for homes, and even tourist boats. Sure, some of these applications need more than one battery pack—but that’s the beauty of the system. Its modularity and versatility are precisely what make it stand out.

Now, if you’ve been wondering when Honda would bring the HMPP e: to India, your wait is finally over.

Honda has announced the Activa e:—an electric version of its massively popular Activa scooter. Orders will open in India on January 1, 2025.

For anyone familiar with the Activa, this development probably feels inevitable. The Activa has been a household name in India’s scooter market for years. Making an EV version using the HMPP e: system was, frankly, the next step in its evolution.

Of course, swappable batteries require the infrastructure to support them. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has already set up Honda Power Pack Exchanger stations in Bengaluru and Delhi. Expansion plans include Mumbai and other major cities.

The Activa e: comes equipped with two HMPP e: packs, each with a capacity of 1.5 kWh, giving riders a claimed range of 102 kilometers (63.3 miles) on a full charge. It’s ideal for city commutes, where electric scooters thrive with their quiet performance and zero emissions.

Introducing the QC 1

Alongside the Activa e:, Honda is rolling out the QC 1, a non-swappable electric scooter for those who prefer the simplicity of charging at home or work.

Both scooters come with modern features to match their advanced powertrains.

• The Activa e: gets a 7-inch TFT display, capable of syncing with the optional Honda Roadsync Duo app for turn-by-turn navigation, music controls, and call management.

• The QC 1: sports a 5-inch LCD screen, focusing on essential information in a sleek package.

Production Goals and Rollout Plans

HMSI is gearing up to produce around 100,000 units annually for both scooters combined. Deliveries are expected to begin in February 2025, though Honda hasn’t revealed pricing details yet.