Honda Activa e review: India's most expensive e-scoot
As one of Honda's first (of two) electric scooter offering in India, the Activa e holds a special place in Indian two-wheeler history. Setting the stage for our review, we'll explore its design, features, performance, and the unique battery-swapping system that sets it apart from traditional electric scooters.
Design & Features
Starting with the design, the Honda Activa e manages to strike a good balance between modern and functional. While it doesn't sport dramatic cuts and creases, its curvy design is complemented by futuristic LED DRLs and a signature headlamp unit that gracefully occupies the front apron.
This premium model, known as the Ride Sync Duo, features blackened diamond-cut alloy wheels, a disc brake at the front, and a telescopic fork. Its 6kW swingarm-mounted motor delivers a torque output of 22Nm.
When it comes to features, the Activa e is packed with a 7-inch TFT display that is easy to read and navigate. Here, riders can access Bluetooth connectivity, phone tethering, and a dedicated button for three ride modes: Econ, Standard, and Sport, allowing for varied riding experiences. However, controls can be a bit convoluted, especially with the reverse function, which requires multiple button presses.
Inside the under-seat storage, the two 1.5kWh battery packs take up much of the space, leaving minimal room for personal items. This is one of a few downsides to the scooter, as it limits practicality in terms of storage.
Ride Handling & Performance
The Activa e's performance is impressive, especially in Sport mode, where it accelerates from 0-60 km/h in about 7.3 seconds. The ride quality is commendable too; while you'll feel the bumps, the suspension effectively cushions the harshness. Toggling between ride modes is seamless, although I found it strange that the indicated range remained static regardless of mode selection - Honda assures us this will be updated in the future.
Charging Process & Subscription Plans
After riding around for a bit, I felt the need to test the battery-swapping situation. At Honda's battery service station, the process is surprisingly quick and efficient, taking less than a minute from start to finish. You'll need a key card to access the service, after which you simply follow the prompts on the charging unit.
First you have to understand that when you buy an Activa e, you own the scooter, but not the biggest depreciating element about it – the battery. So you'll have to subscribe to one of Honda's plans in addition to owning the scooter to actually run the Activa e, right from the day you buy it. And that's both a good and a bad thing at this point. Good because of resale value somewhere down the line. Bad because it's not exactly an exercise that you could call feasible. Let me explain.
The two existing battery subscription plans work on a monthly basis. The first, base plan, will cost you Rs 2,000 + GST, which works up to about Rs 2,360. Here you will be limited to 35kW of swappable battery power per usage month. Which calculates to around 40km of running on a daily basis. The second, advanced plan, will set you back by around 3,500 + GST and has a limit of 87kW of battery usage per month. And that's calculated to roughly around 100km of usage per day. Shoot over the limits on either plan and you'll have to shell out extra for the additional kWs. Go under, and you can't carry those unused kW into your next month of running. its not cumulative at this time. Which is a massive setback at this point. Because it builds on the asking price of the Activa e 1.51lakh (ex-showroom) which is, on its own, a bit steep.
Conclusion
Overall, the Honda Activa e offers a compelling package with its straightforward design, feature-rich interface, and enjoyable ride quality. However, the limitations in under-seat storage and a complex button layout are noteworthy downsides. Moreover, the subscription model for battery usage can make ownership expensive and complicated, especially with no rollover for unused power.
Before considering the Activa e, it's vital to check the availability of Honda's battery swapping stations in your area. With 231 locations currently established in Bangalore, and more coming to Delhi and Mumbai, it's important to ensure these facilities are accessible to you.