Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) has teased an upcoming electric two-wheeler, sparking speculation about the launch of the much-anticipated Activa Electric. The announcement, set for November 27, features the tagline “Watts ahead”, hinting strongly at the arrival of an electric scooter under the popular Activa brand. Here’s everything you need to know.
Honda has been steadily advancing its electric vehicle (EV) plans for India, with a patent filed last year revealing a focus on key EV components such as motors, battery packs, chargers, and controllers. Notably, the patents include design elements for what could be the new Activa Electric, including a fixed battery pack housed under the floorboard and a hub motor powering the rear wheel. While this hub motor setup points to a more utility-focused, mid-range scooter, Honda’s future EVs are expected to feature swappable batteries supported by a broad battery-swapping network.
EV platform and production plans
As we have reported, Honda’s electric scooters will be built on a new dedicated platform known as “Platform E”, which is designed to support a range of models with different battery configurations. The Activa Electric, expected as Honda’s debut EV in the Indian market, is slated for a “mid-range” fixed-battery design. A second EV model with a swappable battery system is also in the pipeline, allowing for easy battery exchange at dedicated stations across India. Earlier reports from our sister publication, Autocar Professional, identified two codenames for Honda’s EV projects: ‘GJNA’ and ‘K4BA’, the latter likely being the Activa Electric.
To meet growing demand, Honda has invested in significant infrastructure, including a dedicated “Factory E” at its Narsapura plant in Karnataka. This facility will focus on producing EV motors, with the target of reaching a production capacity of 1 million units by 2030. Additionally, Honda is enhancing manufacturing lines at its Gujarat and Karnataka plants to handle both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles.
Nationwide battery-swapping network
As part of its EV rollout, Honda plans to establish a network of battery-swapping stations, initially launching with 23 stations in Bengaluru in Phase 1. Subsequent phases will extend these facilities across southern states and eventually nationwide. The company also plans to convert some of its existing 6,000-plus service touchpoints to “Workshop E” centres dedicated exclusively to EV service and support.
Research & development in Bengaluru
Honda’s Indian R&D division recently opened a new Solution R&D Centre in Bengaluru. This centre will focus on accelerating EV development, with an emphasis on software, connected services and collaboration with other companies in the region. This R&D facility aligns with Honda’s global target of achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, with a specific focus on reaching neutrality across its motorcycle range during the 2040s. The unveiling on November 27 marks a step in Honda’s journey toward electrification, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable mobility in India and beyond.
Also see: Honda showcases electric scooter, e-bike concepts at EICMA 2024