Although Honda, like its Japanese rivals, is renowned for emphasizing the trip rather than the goal, the recent introduction of its electric scooters did not exactly blow everyone away. Even though there will be tough and vigorous rivalry locally, the modest beginning could well pave the way for something larger in the years to come. The struggle has really just begun for Honda.
New Delhi: Industry circles first reacted negatively to Honda’s electric scooters, calling them “underwhelming” and obviously falling short of expectations when they were recently introduced in Bengaluru. “This did not quite create the hype that we thought it would,” a senior official from Honda stated.
It was even more fascinating that the Japanese carmaker had not yet revealed its prices, but he went on to say, “Never underestimate Honda, it slowly builds up the script and then comes out all guns blazing.” The corporation is obviously taking things one step at a time with its electric venture, and the main focus will be on thoroughly examining all of the market input before starting again to build its next line of items.
It is also clear that the Activa e, which has a swappable battery option, is only going to be available in a select places and is not meant for the general public. In accordance with Honda Power Pack Energy India’s intentions to run Honda e:Swap, the battery sharing service.
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the first presence is being limited to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi.According to the Japanese press release, this action is meant to relieve consumers of the “anxiety of running out of battery power and the waiting time for recharging,” so giving them a “mobility experience with more peace of mind.”
Moot point
Whether or whether this goal will be achieved is still up for debate. Because the batteries are hefty, not everyone finds it easy to carry them for replacing. For certain clients, who might just not be able to execute such a task, this could become an intimidating undertaking. “Indians are also not used to doing things on their own and would rather have someone chip in,” these skeptics continue.
The lack of enough storage space for a helmet and other essential gear is the second acknowledged disadvantage of the Activa e. Once again, the big concern is whether this will turn off buyers, but it’s very early and, more crucially, the price tag is yet unknown. Given that Activa has dominated the ICE market for more than 20 years and that its nearest rival in the gearless scooter market is far behind, its advantage is the sheer strength of its brand.
Furthermore, Honda has been expanding steadily ever since it broke up relations with Hero, its first ally, about 15 years ago. It proceeded on a huge capacity expansion binge, and based on the present sales trend, it may become the leading player in India this year. It will overtake Hero for the first time since their divorce if this occurs. The other electric model,
the QC1, has been characterized as a moped that provides the most dynamic performance for short-distance everyday riding, such “commuting to school.” According to its creator, it is the best option for clients who give “economic efficiency” a high priority.
Dedicated charger
The QC1’s battery may be recharged at home using a specialized charger, unlike the Activa e. Additionally, there is a storage box behind the seat where a helmet and other small goods can be kept. Conversely, it is still unclear what QC stands for: is it an acronym for quality control (the Honda DNA), rapid charging (a major strength), or quick commerce (the target market segment)?
Although it is more probable that Honda would stick with QC1, which would have registered among all of its potential buyers by then, it is possible that the scooter will have a more wholesome moniker when it is priced. On the surface, Honda plans to price this scooter aggressively in order to compete with the industry leaders in electric two-wheelers, Ola Electric, TVS Motor, and Bajaj Auto. Recently, Ola introduced scooters that cost less than INR 40,000, and Honda will be closely monitoring how the market responds to these offerings.
Ola has lately experienced its share of issues, and it is well aware that Honda is a major brand that leads the market in the majority of nations and manufactures close to 20 million two-wheelers globally.
With a global goal of introducing 30 electrified vehicles by 2030, the Activa e and QC1 are ranked 12th and 13th, respectively. Over the next six years, this translates to four million two-wheelers, which may be a sign of the impending fast ramp-up.
Honda is launching models specifically for the Indian market that “incorporate local characteristics and customer preferences.” The business has unveiled two models in Indonesia this year and has set 2024 as the first year of its worldwide growth into the electric motorbike market. In order to satisfy a larger range of consumer demands, it has said that it would step up its efforts to create a complete range of electric bikes, including commuters.
Modular platforms
Honda has recently released a corporate update that highlights its strengths: a comprehensive product lineup; development, production, and procurement capabilities accumulated through the internal combustion engine business; electric models that have all of the basic motorcycle functions, including turning, stopping, and accelerating; and the provision of integrated online and offline customer touch points through the use of a sales network that includes 30,000 dealership locations worldwide.
The battery, power unit, and chassis of electric two-wheelers are modularized, respectively, and modular platforms will be used, utilizing platform sharing expertise gathered via ICE company. Thus, “efficient introduction of models that accommodate the diverse needs of customers around the world” will be made possible by the usage of modular platforms.
FAQ
What is Honda’s approach to electric motorcycles?
At EICMA 2024 in Milan, Italy, Honda showcased two electric motorbike concept models: the EV Fun Concept and the EV Urban Concept. By 2050, Honda wants all of its corporate operations and product lines to be carbon neutral, and by the 2040s, it wants all of its motorcycles to be carbon neutral.
