Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Pvt Ltd has long enjoyed near-total dominance in the Indian scooter segment, largely due to the runaway success of the Activa. For years, the Activa has been India’s best-selling scooter, becoming almost synonymous with the segment itself. However, Honda’s attempt to replicate this success in the electric scooter space has not gone as planned. Models like the Activa e and QC1 failed to resonate with Indian buyers, resulting in extremely low sales and eventual discontinuation.
Now, Honda appears to have acknowledged its missteps. According to recent reports, the Japanese two-wheeler giant is back to the drawing board and is developing an all-new electric scooter designed specifically for Indian conditions and buyer expectations. This upcoming Honda electric scooter is expected to be far more localized than its predecessors, with the goal of delivering a competitive price tag and a well-rounded ownership experience.
Quick Highlights:
- Honda is developing a new electric scooter specifically for the Indian market
- The upcoming EV will be heavily localized to achieve aggressive pricing
- Learnings from the failed Activa e and QC1 will shape the new product
- Focus will be on range, performance, storage, charging freedom, and value
Honda’s Missed Opportunity in the Electric Scooter Segment
When Honda launched the Activa e and QC1 in January 2025, expectations were high. Given the brand’s strong reputation, widespread dealer network, and trust built over decades, many believed Honda would quickly establish itself as a major player in India’s electric scooter market. Unfortunately, the reality turned out to be very different.
Within a year of launch, production of both electric scooters was reportedly halted due to poor demand. Honda manufactured a total of 11,168 electric scooters, including 4,636 units of Activa e and 6,532 units of QC1. However, actual sales numbers were shockingly low. Only 740 units of Activa e were sold, while QC1 managed around 4,461 units. This translated to an average monthly sales figure of just 82 units for Activa e and 496 units for QC1.
Sales momentum began to fade rapidly after initial deliveries, eventually collapsing around October 2025. By November 2025, reports confirmed that Honda had discontinued both Activa e and QC1 in India.
Why Activa e and QC1 Failed
One of the biggest issues with Honda’s first electric scooters was that they were essentially international models adapted for India rather than products designed ground-up for local needs. While Honda did re-engineer them for Indian conditions, the end result failed to meet customer expectations in terms of value, practicality, and pricing.
The Activa e, in particular, relied heavily on Honda’s battery swapping ecosystem. While this sounded promising on paper, it came with several drawbacks. Buyers were locked into a subscription-based battery swapping model and could not charge the scooter at home. This immediately alienated a large section of Indian customers who prefer the flexibility of home charging. Adding to the problem was the lack of usable under-seat storage and a real-world range of just 102 km.
Pricing further hurt its prospects. The Activa e was priced between INR 1.17 lakh and INR 1.52 lakh ex-showroom, excluding the battery subscription cost. For many buyers, this made the scooter feel overpriced when compared to competitors offering better range, features, and charging convenience.
The QC1 addressed some of these concerns by offering a fixed battery that could be charged anywhere and a usable boot space. However, it introduced a new set of compromises. With a claimed range of just 80 km and a top speed limited to 50 km/h, the QC1 struggled to appeal to urban commuters looking for performance comparable to petrol scooters or rival electric models.
New Honda Electric Scooter: A Fresh Start
Honda has reportedly taken these failures seriously and is now developing a new electric scooter exclusively for the Indian market. This upcoming model is expected to be heavily localized, not just in terms of components but also in design philosophy, features, and pricing strategy.
The core objective of the new Honda electric scooter is to eliminate the shortcomings seen in Activa e and QC1. Honda is expected to combine the strengths of both earlier models into a single, more compelling package. This means offering practical under-seat storage, a usable real-world range, higher top speed, and the freedom to charge the scooter at home without mandatory subscriptions.
What to Expect from the Upcoming Honda Electric Scooter
The new Honda EV scooter for India is likely to focus on factors that truly matter to Indian buyers. These include an adequate range on a single charge for daily commuting, performance that matches or exceeds petrol scooters, and essential features that enhance everyday usability. Pricing will play a crucial role, and heavy localization should help Honda keep costs under control.
Buyers can also expect relevant modern features and “bells and whistles” that are now standard in the electric scooter segment, such as connected technology, regenerative braking, and efficient thermal management. Honda’s extensive experience in engineering reliable two-wheelers could give it a significant advantage if these elements are executed well.
Looking Ahead
The Indian electric scooter market has matured rapidly, with customers becoming more informed and demanding. Honda’s initial miscalculation has cost it valuable time, but the upcoming localized electric scooter could mark a turning point. If Honda manages to strike the right balance between price, performance, practicality, and charging convenience, it could finally deliver an electric scooter worthy of the Activa name.
More details about Honda’s new electric scooter for India are expected to emerge in the coming months. For now, it is clear that Honda is determined to learn from past mistakes and make a stronger comeback in India’s competitive EV two-wheeler space.
