The Indian electric scooter market is becoming more competitive with new e-scooters launching frequently. Given Honda’s established presence in the country, the Activa e could be a popular choice. Honda has high expectations for its upcoming EV scooters, the Activa E and QC1, building upon its strong reputation in the traditional two-wheeler market. But, they’re up against tough competition from the TVS iQube, OLA’s electric models, and the Bajaj Chetak EV.
To stay ahead, Honda planned to launch these scooters with a battery exchange network, a strategy intended to reduce range anxiety among users. Initial responses to this pilot program have been positive, leading Honda to offer more affordable BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) rental plans alongside the Activa E.
These new plans are likely to boost the scooter’s appeal, particularly for cost-conscious urban commuters.
Let’s take a closer look at the BaaS plan.
| Baas plans | Charges above Activa-e |
|—|—|
| Lite Plan | Rs 676 |
| Basic Plan | Rs 1,999 |
| Advance Plan | Rs 3,599 |
One of the Activa E’s notable disadvantages is that it can only be charged by battery swapping, not a standard wall outlet. Originally, Honda’s BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) plan started at ₹1,999 for up to 35 kWh per month under the Basic Plan, and the Advanced Plan was priced at ₹3,599 for up to 82 kWh per month.
Based on customer input, Honda has released a new Lite Plan at ₹678 for up to 20 kWh per month. These battery rental plan costs are added to the scooter’s price. Honda Power Pack Energy India will operate and manage the battery swapping stations.
Another drawback for the Activa E is the battery swapping mechanism, which results in almost no usable boot space. The scooter has a 1.5 kWh removable battery pack and a mid-mounted motor, providing a claimed range of roughly 102 km on a full charge.
**Activa E 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 seem a bit pricey, it includes a battery exchange program. If affordability is a key consideration, the Bajaj Chetak or TVS I-Qube could be better choices.