Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI) may have entered the electric scooter segment later than some competitors, but the company is now setting its sights on leading the charge in the electric motorcycle space. It has been revealed that Honda is gearing up to commence production of electric motorcycles in 2028 from a specialized manufacturing facility in India.
Aligned with the Make in India initiative, HMSI has been transforming its domestic manufacturing operations into a global export hub. Currently holding the position of India’s second-largest two-wheeler manufacturer, the company is rapidly narrowing the gap with market leader Hero MotoCorp. With the establishment of a dedicated facility for electric motorcycle production, Honda is strategically positioning itself to dominate the world’s largest two-wheeler market. In addition, the company is working towards expanding its battery charging infrastructure across the country, aiming to alleviate range anxiety for potential buyers.
A key focus for HMSI has been to make electric motorcycles more cost-effective in the long run. Addressing one of the biggest challenges of electric vehicle adoption—Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)—Honda is working towards ensuring that the cost of owning an electric motorcycle over three years remains comparable to that of internal combustion engine (ICE) models.
While Honda has not yet disclosed the specific models it plans to introduce under this initiative, the company’s strategy involves developing a diverse range of motorcycles based on a shared modular platform. This approach will help streamline development costs while enabling a broader portfolio of offerings. Additionally, HMSI has been collaborating with multiple Indian battery manufacturers to create battery solutions tailored to the needs of the local market. Securing a reliable supply of components remains a major challenge for OEMs in India, but by strengthening partnerships with local suppliers, Honda aims to increase localization levels, effectively reducing production costs and boosting profitability.
Marking its official entry into India’s EV market, HMSI recently launched its first electric scooters, the Activa e and QC1. While the QC1 is designed with affordability in mind, the Activa e serves as the flagship model, featuring swappable battery technology. The QC1, on the other hand, is equipped with a fixed battery pack but offers better storage capacity, which the Activa e lacks. These electric scooters signal Honda’s commitment to the growing EV space, with pricing starting at ₹90,000 (ex-showroom) for the QC1 and ₹1.17 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Activa e. The maximum range on a single charge for the Activa e stands at 102 km, with a top speed of 80 km/h. While Honda has not provided an exact timeline for the commencement of operations at its electric motorcycle manufacturing plant, the company’s roadmap is clear: to carve a dominant position in India’s rapidly evolving electric two-wheeler industry.
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