Honda is gearing to launch its first-ever electric two-wheeler in India on 27 November 2024. Ahead of its launch, the Japanese automaker is building hype around the launch by aggressively promoting the upcoming battery-powered scooter on its social media platforms. Rumoured to be called either eActiva or Activa Electric, the company has now shared yet another teaser of the electric scooter.
While the previous teaser highlights the removable battery setup underneath the seat, the latest video reveals the charging socket on offer in the scooter. This means the Activa Electric will offer both functionality of getting the battery charged via conventional charger or getting it charged externally.
Honda Activa Electric with battery subscription
It also means that Honda might offer the fully-electric Activa in two versions — one with a battery pack and the other without a battery back. In the former, the scooter will be offered at a higher price along with an onboard charger which allows the owner to recharge the battery at his/her home, office, etc. The latter will allow the buyer to acquire the scooter at a lower cost while adopting a subscription model for the battery, something similar to what MG Motor introduced with the Windsor EV a few months ago.
This will be the first time in the Indian consumer two-wheeler market where a product offered both with the battery as a fixed unit and battery as a rental service. This is supported by the battery swapping stations being set up by Honda in some parts of the country. One such station has been installed at a fuel refilling station near Hulimavu in Bangalore. Interestingly, the launch of the new electric scooter from Honda is also taking place at the Karnataka capital.
These battery swapping stations will offer a convenient solution for Activa Electric owners by simply exchanging a depleted battery for a fully charged one.With this riders can minimize downtime and ensure uninterrupted journeys, especially in urban areas and for those with high daily mileage.
The charging station shares a striking resemblance to those used by Honda in global markets. It appears to be designed to accommodate the removable batteries hinted at for the upcoming Activa Electric. Interestingly, these batteries bear a strong resemblance to those found in the Honda EM1 electric scooter. From the previous teasers, it is very likely that the upcoming Honda electric scooter will be based on the CUV e: showcased at EICMA 2024.
Honda Activa Electric expected design & specs
The Honda CUV e: boasts a sleek, minimalist design with a wide headlight, flush footrests, and a stylish taillight bar. Equipped with twin removable battery packs, it offers a range of around 100 km per charge in India. This electric scooter delivers performance comparable to a 125cc petrol scooter and comes packed with features like a 7-inch TFT display, connected features, keyless go, full LED lighting, a USB-C socket, three riding modes, and reverse assist.
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