Honda Activa E India Launch Confirmed

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India President, Atsushi Ogata, has confirmed that the Japanese bikemaker is evaluating our market for EVs and mentioned, “...able to see an actual HMSI EV product within the next financial year.” during an interview with ET Auto.

Last year, the Honda Benly e electric scooter was spotted testing at the ARAI (Automotive Research Association Of India) facility in Pune. No, the Japanese bikemaker is not contemplating bringing a B2B product in our market, but to test the battery-swapping technology. For this, Honda has also set up its subsidiary, Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited, and is currently doing a pilot run with three-wheelers in Bengaluru.

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Honda favouring battery-swapping doesn’t come as a surprise, as a large chunk of the Indian consumers may not have an EV charging point in their residential/work complex. With Bounce introducing subscription-based battery-swapping model, and Hero teaming up with Gogoro for its upcoming EVs, only concretes the fact that battery-swapping could be the solution for economic, hassle-free charging.

So, if not the Benly e, will it be a premium offering like the Honda PCX Electric? We don’t think so. HMSI is more likely to bring an India-specific model first, to take on the likes of the Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube Electric and the upcoming Suzuki Burgman Electric. And given the popularity and sentimental value of the ‘Activa’ moniker, it is highly likely that the new EV could be the Activa E.

The central and state governments have been incentivising EV adoption; and in the FY22 budget, the finance minister has even announced plans to formulate a policy for battery swapping. With the market and the government supporting EVs, it is only a matter of time before battery swapping stations become a regular sight. With Hero set to launch a new electric scooter next month and Honda making its intent clear, the battle for EV two-wheeler domination between these two giants is about to commence – or perhaps already has.

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