Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has finally entered the Indian electric two-wheeler sector with two new models, the Activa E and QC1. While the Honda Activa E has been developed for both domestic and international emerging markets, the Honda QC1 has been tailored for. Especially Indian market.
Even though the Honda Activa E and QC1 are the brand’s first electric models for India, they are ranked 12th and 13th in Honda’s worldwide lineup. The company plans to launch 30 electric two-wheeler models globally by 2030. It is claimed that the Honda Activa E and QC1 will help the company get closer to its ambition of achieving carbon neutrality across all products and corporate activities by 2050. The company has also said it aims for carbon neutrality for its motorcycle range in the 2040s.
(Also Read: Honda Activa E, QC1 revealed. Check range, booking, price details)
Both the Honda Activa E and QC1 are planned to be launched in phases starting from Spring 2025. Their bookings will open on January 1, 2025, and pricing details for both models will be announced in January 2025.
Honda Activa E and QC1: Design
HMSI has created a similar design for both the electric vehicles. Both the electric two-wheelers have a minimalist design language. With the Activa E, Honda has tried to incorporate the design language of the Activa which is the best selling Honda model in India. Honda Activa E gets LED combination lights and indicators for front and rear. Overall, the electric scooter looks sleek.
Meanwhile, the Honda QC1 is said to be an electric moped rather than an electric scooter. Its design is exactly like the Honda Activa E, although there are some subtle differences. For starters, the QC 1 doesn’t have a high mounted LED DRL. It lacks the wraparound taillight and some chrome elements introduced with the Activa E.
Honda Activa E and QC1: Specs and powertrain
To mimic the success of the Honda Activa, the Honda Activa E features a basic underbone frame with telescopic forks and monoshock suspension setup. It comes in two variants – Standard, which weighs 118 kg, and Honda RoadSync Duo, which weighs 119 kg. With a ground clearance of 171 mm, it is designed to handle typical Indian road conditions. Braking is managed by a 160 mm front disc and 130 mm rear drum, while both ends are equipped with 12-inch wheels.
Honda QC1 on the other hand uses telescopic front fork with dual rear spring. Its braking system consists of drum brakes, which have a 12-inch front alloy wheel and a 10-inch rear alloy wheel.
In terms of powertrain, the Activa E uses a proprietary permanent magnet synchronous motor, which produces a maximum output of 8 bhp and 22 Nm of torque. It has been claimed that it accelerates from 0 to 60 kmph in 7.3 seconds and its maximum speed is 80 kmph. The electric scooter has three riding modes, Econ, Standard and Sport.
(Also Read: Honda unveils Activa E and QC1 for the Indian market. Check details)
On the other hand, the Honda QC1 is equipped with an in-wheel electric motor, which delivers a maximum power of 2.4 bhp. It reaches a top speed of 50 kmph and offers two riding modes, Standard and Econ, which regulate power and efficiency depending on the user’s needs.
Honda Activa E and QC1: Battery and range
The Activa E is equipped with two swappable batteries, each with a capacity of 1.5 kWh, offering a combined range of 102 km on a single full charge. Honda is also launching its own battery-swapping service, e:Swap, which will initially be available in Bengaluru and Delhi and Mumbai at launch.
In comparison, the QC1 uses a fixed battery pack. This is a major difference from the Activa E: which has a removable battery system. The 1.5 kWh battery in the Activa offers a range of around 80 km per charge.
Honda Activa E and QC1: Features
The Honda Activa Electric includes a 7.0-inch TFT display that automatically adjusts brightness depending on the time of day. The display can be operated using a toggle switch on the handlebar. The electric scooter also has a smart key with functions like Smart Find, Smart Safe, Smart Unlock and Smart Start. The higher-end version includes the Honda RoadSync Duo application, which offers real-time navigation and connectivity options.
On the other hand, the Honda QC1 is equipped with a 5.0-inch LCD display, USB Type-C charging port, and 26 liters of under-seat storage.
