Honda enters India's electric vehicle market with new scooters

Honda has entered India's electric vehicle market by launching two new electric scooters, the Activa e: and the QC1. This marks Honda's first move into the EV space in India, differentiating it from other Japanese automakers like Toyota and Suzuki. The Activa e: features two swappable batteries and operates under a Battery as a Service model, while the QC1 has a fixed battery. Both scooters will be manufactured at Honda's Narsapura plant, with plans to produce 100,000 units in the first year. Bookings for the scooters will start on January 1, 2025, with deliveries beginning in February. Honda aims to expand its battery swapping network, planning 250 stations in Bengaluru and additional stations in Delhi and Mumbai by March 2026. Prices for the scooters will be announced at the time of booking.