The Indian electric scooter market is expanding quickly with a plethora of new launches. With Honda’s strong presence in India, the Activa E might be a top choice. Honda is banking on its upcoming electric scooters- the Activa E and QC1- building on the legacy it’s built in the conventional two-wheeler segment. However, the company faces strong competition from models like the TVS iQube, OLA’s electric lineup, and the Bajaj Chetak EV.
To stay competitive, Honda aimed to launch these scooters with a battery exchange network, which could reduce range anxiety for consumers. The first results from this pilot program are encouraging, leading Honda to roll out more affordable BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) rental plans alongside the Activa E.
These new plans are expected to increase the scooter’s appeal, particularly for budget-conscious urban commuters.
Let’s examine the BaaS plans.
| Baas plans | Charges above Activa-e |
|—|—|
| Lite Plan | Rs 676 |
| Basic Plan | Rs 1,999 |
| Advance Plan | Rs 3,599 |
One of the main drawbacks of the scooter is that it cannot be charged through a standard wall outlet; battery swapping is the only option. Initially, Honda’s BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) plan began at ₹1,999 for up to 35 kWh per month under the Basic Plan, while the Advanced Plan cost ₹3,599 for up to 82 kWh per month.
Based on previous customer feedback, Honda has introduced a new Lite Plan for ₹678 for up to 20 kWh per month. The cost of the battery rental plans is added to the scooter’s price. Honda Power Pack Energy India will manage and run the battery swapping stations.
Also, a key disadvantage of the Activa E is that the battery swapping mechanism results in almost no available boot space. The scooter has a 1.5 kWh removable battery pack and a mid-mounted motor, which delivers an estimated range of approximately 102 km on a full charge.
**Activa Vs TVS I-QUBE Vs Bajaj Chetak Comparison**
| Comparison | Honda Activa-E | TVS I-Qube | Bajaj Chetak | Suzuki e-Access |
|—|—|—|—|—|
| Motor Capacity | 6KW Axle Mounted Wheel Side PMSM Motor | 3KW BLDC Motor | 3.5 kwh Motor | Swingarm Mounted 4.1 KW |
| Battery Capacity | 3KWH, Two Swap able 1.5KWH batteries | The vehicle is available with 3 battery Packs, 2.2 KWH,AND 3.4KWH | The Vehicle has a battery capacity of 2.88 KWH To 3.5 KWH | 3.07 KWH LFP battery |
| Range | 102km/ Per Charge | 75km/100km/ Per charge | 123km to 153km | 95 Km |
| Features | DRL’s, Bluetooth Connectivity, Keyless Ignition | DRLs, Fast Charging, Bluetooth, LED Tail Light | Fast Charging, Bluetooth, Led Tail Light | Fast Charging, Bluetooth, Led Tail Light |
| Prices | Estimated Price- 1,17,000 | 89,999- 1,85,373 | 95,998 to 1,27,243 | 1,00,000 to 1,20,000 |
While the Honda Activa-E might appear expensive, the inclusion of a battery exchange program justifies its price. For those prioritizing affordability, the Bajaj Chetak or TVS I-Qube are more suitable options.