Honda Activa e review: promising EV, just not today

If you don’t want to deal with the obvious shortcomings of the QC1 but still want a Honda electric scooter, then this Activa e: fits the bill. But, just like its sibling, the electric Activa also comes with its distinct compromises. 

Honda Activa e design and features

Activa e has appealing style and big 7-inch TFT display

Unlike the dated-looking petrol Activa, the new Activa e:, unsurprisingly, cuts a very fresh silhouette. And that’s no surprise since the Activa e: is actually a restyled CUV e: (a scooter sold in Europe). While this is a modern design, it still has the measured approach that you’d find on a family scooter, and in that sense, Honda has walked that tightrope pretty well. 

The scooter we rode was the top RoadSync Duo variant, which gets a large 7-inch TFT display. As is the case with most modern vehicles, you can pair your smartphone to this dash via Honda’s app and get notification alerts as well as navigation prompts. The UI is also beautifully straightforward in typical Japanese fashion. 

Honda Activa e ride and handling

Zippy performance and straightforward riding experience

Those of you expecting a very ‘Activa’ riding experience will be pleasantly surprised to know that this electric avatar is actually very unlike its namesake in that department. The first thing you’ll notice is that the Activa e: has a surprisingly firm ride. However, it’s not stiff or harsh, but those of you used to the squishy, soft nature of the petrol Activa will be caught off guard. The fact that it weighs 12kg more than the Activa 125 could be part of the reason behind this.

Then, there is the zippy performance. Aside from Eco mode, acceleration is energetic in the other two modes – Standard and Sport – and the Activa e: can easily touch an indicated 90kph without much fuss. And thanks to the 12-inch wheels, handling is also surefooted.  

Honda Activa e battery swapping cost 

Activa e BaaS costs are similiar to a petrol scooter’s running costs

But you’ll find similar attributes in multiple other e-scooters, too, and what differentiates the Activa e: are its swappable batteries. Swapping the batteries is a fairly straightforward process: you replace your depleted battery packs with two fresh ones at a Honda swapping station, and the process takes less than two minutes. 

Where things get a little complicated is in the subscription plans. Just like in some cases in the electric car world, Honda sells you the Activa e: on a Battery as a Subscription (Baas) model. Effectively, you own the scooter, but Honda owns the batteries. And the company offers you two plans to use its battery-swapping infrastructure. The first one is priced at Rs 2,000 a month, giving you 35kWh, while the second one costs Rs 3,500 per month and gives you 87kWh. Honda claims you can do 40km a day with the former plan and 100km with the latter. 

The positive here is that you don’t have to worry about battery degradation over time or about replacement some years later. However, the issue is that the costs of these subscription plans are similar to what you’d spend on fuel on a 125cc petrol scooter. For instance, I need to fill about Rs 2,000 worth of petrol any given month in my Suzuki Access to cover roughly 1,000km. So, one of the big USPs of an EV – the promise of low running costs – is negated here.

Another EV-specific convenience factor – being able to charge them at home – is also absent here since you can only swap the batteries at one of Honda’s swapping stations, and there is no provision to charge at home. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there, and thanks to the battery packs being located under the seat, the storage space is next to nothing. The puzzling thing is that the CUV e:, on which the Activa is based, is available with an accessory top box to alleviate this issue. Strangely, Honda India has chosen not to offer that readymade solution with the Activa e:. 

Honda Activa e price and verdict

Activa e is a promising product but doesn’t have the infrastructure to make it a viable option

So, in one fell swoop, two of the biggest USPs of an electric scooter have been nixed. Another thing you need to bear in mind is that this top variant of the Activa e: costs Rs 1.52 lakh, which is on the pricier side, even in the context of electric scooters. 

Make no mistake, the Activa e: is a very pleasant and comfortable thing to ride. However, it has some issues that are difficult to look past. Part of the problem is that the Activa e: is ahead of its time. Perhaps if it was launched a few years later, when Honda’s battery-swapping stations were commonplace, then recommending one would have been easier. But, as it stands today, you really need to want the Activa e: and be located close to a Honda swapping station for it to be a viable option. 

Also See: Honda Activa e video review