Summary
The Honda Activa is basically the scooter of India—practically everyone has either owned one or knows someone who has. And now, Honda’s finally stepping into the EV game with the Activa E and its more budget-friendly sibling, the Honda QC1. But do these electric versions actually live up to the Activa legacy, or are they just overpriced experiments? Let’s break it down—design, features, performance, pricing—no fluff, just real talk.
Activa E Design: Familiar, Maybe Too Familiar?
If you were expecting a futuristic, head-turning design, well… that’s not what’s happening here.
- The Activa E looks almost exactly like the regular Activa. Same silhouette, same no-nonsense design.
- No aggressive styling, no wild LED strips—it’s Honda playing it super safe.
- The QC1, on the other hand, feels even more budget-focused. No front disc brake, no fancy bodywork—just basic and practical.
So, is that a good thing? Well, if you want something that doesn’t scream “LOOK AT ME, I’M ELECTRIC,” then yeah, it works. But if you were hoping for a fresh, modern-looking scooter, this might feel a little too bland.
Also Read, Mahindra Xuv 3XO
Pros & Cons of Design
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Familiar, family-friendly look | Very basic design, nothing exciting |
| Compact, easy to handle | No front disc brake on QC1 |
| Feels like a proper Honda scooter | No LED headlights |
Activa E Features & Practicality: Simple but Lacking?
Honda didn’t go crazy with high-tech features here. The Activa E comes with a basic digital display, which is easy to read but pretty barebones. The QC1? Even simpler.
One major issue? Storage space. Since the Activa E has a swappable battery system, under-seat storage is almost non-existent. You might squeeze in a few small items, but forget about a full-face helmet. Meanwhile, the QC1 has a fixed battery, which means better storage, but no battery swapping.
Pros & Cons of Features
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy-to-use digital display | Poor under-seat storage in Activa E |
| Simple, no learning curve | No smart connectivity on QC1 |
| QC1 has better storage space | Lacks premium features like Bluetooth |
Performance: Smooth but Not Exciting
Alright, let’s talk power—or lack of it.
Honda Activa E:
- Three modes: Economy (60 km/h), Standard, and Sport (80 km/h).
- Acceleration is smooth and refined—perfectly fine for city riding.
- Suspension feels a bit stiff when riding alone but gets better with a pillion.
Honda QC1:
- Two modes: Eco (30 km/h) and Standard (50 km/h).
- Feels sluggish in Eco mode—it’s honestly too slow.
- Weak uphill performance—struggles on inclines.
- Super light at under 90 kg, making it super easy to maneuver.
Verdict? The Activa E is decent but won’t blow you away with performance. The QC1, however, feels too slow, especially in Eco mode.
Pros & Cons of Performance
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth and refined ride | QC1’s Eco mode is painfully slow (30 km/h) |
| Well-calibrated throttle response | Weak climbing ability on QC1 |
| Activa E has a decent speed-efficiency balance | Suspension feels bouncy when riding solo |
Activa E Battery, Charging & The Subscription Drama
This is where things get a little… complicated.
- The Activa E has a swappable battery system, which sounds great on paper—just swap out the battery at a station, no need to charge at home.
- The QC1, on the other hand, has a fixed battery, so you can charge it at home, but no swapping option.
But here’s the catch: Charging infrastructure is still a work in progress.
- Bengaluru has 250 swapping stations, which is decent, and will expand to 500 by 2026.
- Mumbai & Delhi? Not so great. Finding a swapping station can be a challenge.
Pros & Cons of Battery & Charging
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Swappable batteries reduce charging downtime | Limited charging stations in many cities |
| QC1 allows home charging | Battery swapping adds an extra monthly cost |
| Light scooters = easy handling | No fast charging option for QC1 |
Price & The Battery Subscription Shock
Honda Activa E Price: ₹1,07,000 (excluding battery subscription).
Honda QC1 Price: More affordable, but lacks features.
Here’s the kicker: The battery isn’t included in the scooter’s price. Instead, you pay a monthly subscription fee for the battery.
Battery Subscription Plans:
- Basic Plan: ₹2,000/month (+GST) for 40 km range.
- Advanced Plan: ₹3,600/month (+GST) for 100 km range.
- Exceed the limit? You pay extra.
If you do the math, owning an Activa E for 5 years costs over ₹2.5 lakh (including battery subscription). That’s almost the price of an entry-level car!
Pros & Cons of Pricing
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Competitive scooter price | Expensive long-term subscription costs |
| Option for swappable or fixed battery | Charging infrastructure still growing |
| Affordable upfront price | RoadSync variant costs ₹1.51 lakh and still needs a subscription |
Final Verdict: Is the Activa E Worth It?
It’s a solid, well-built scooter, but the high subscription cost might be a deal-breaker.
- The Activa E is good if you want a reliable, smooth-riding electric scooter and don’t mind the battery subscription.
- The QC1 is good if you want something cheaper and can live with basic performance.
- But if you’re looking for a true Activa replacement without extra costs? The battery subscription system might make you think twice.
FAQs
1. What’s the top speed of the Honda Activa E?
80 km/h in Sport mode, 60 km/h in Economy mode.
2. Does the Activa E have under-seat storage?
Not much. The swappable battery takes up most of the space. The QC1, with its fixed battery, has better storage.
3. Can I charge the Activa E at home?
No. It only works with Honda’s battery-swapping stations. The QC1, however, can be charged at home.
4. Is the QC1 better than the Activa E?
It’s cheaper and has better storage, but it’s slower and struggles on inclines.
5. Is the battery subscription model worth it?
Honestly? It’s really expensive long-term. Honda should consider a pay-per-kilometer model instead.
Final Thoughts
The Honda Activa E and QC1 are reliable electric scooters with the Activa DNA, but high running costs and a lack of widespread charging infrastructure make them a tough sell. If you’re considering one, take a test ride and crunch the numbers before jumping in!
Author- Ayush
