Honda will be building the battery swapping infrastructure first before commencing deliveries to ensure a hassle-free experience
As part of its electrification goals, Honda has introduced the Activa e: and QC1 electric scooters in India. While QC1 will be readily available, Activa e: will be introduced pan-India in a phased manner. Activa e: will be initially available in Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai.
Honda Activa e: Delhi, Mumbai rollout
Unlike the Honda QC1 that can be charged like any other electric scooter, the Activa e: does not come with a standard charging port. For refuelling the Activa e:, the only option is to use any of the nearest battery swapping stations. These battery swapping stations are being set up by Honda Power Pack Energy India. As per the original plan, the deliveries in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi were to commence from February 2024.
Rollout in Bengaluru will commence as per plans, as 85 battery swapping stations are already operational in the city. These are strategically placed to cover most parts of the city. But in the case of Delhi and Mumbai, the battery swapping infrastructure is yet to be fully developed. As mentioned earlier, Activa e: can only be refuelled at a battery swapping station. Unless these stations are available all across the city, commencing deliveries will be a hassle for customers.
On the official website of Honda Power Pack Energy India, the Honda e-Swap Network shows good availability of battery swapping stations across Bengaluru. But in the case of Delhi, only around 10 battery swapping stations are shown. Most of these are located in the central part of Delhi. As the city is huge, Delhi will need a much higher number of swapping stations to ensure a hassle-free experience for customers.
Activa e: battery swapping stations in Mumbai
Talking about Mumbai, there is currently no map available for the battery swapping network in the city. Honda is likely to expedite the setup of battery swapping stations in Mumbai in the coming months. Since the battery swapping infrastructure is not ready in Delhi and Mumbai, deliveries of Activa e: in these cities will commence from April 2025. This information was recently provided by Honda Power Pack Energy India. Deliveries in Bengaluru will commence as per the original plan from February.
Battery swapping to be a gamechanger?
Battery swapping for electric two-wheelers has been widely successful in international markets like Taiwan. But in India, this system was never implemented. With Honda taking the lead in battery swapping, it could be a gamechanger for the electric two-wheeler industry.
Customers will benefit immensely, as they won’t have to pay a hefty upfront price for the battery. Users will only be charged for the energy used, similar to petrol or CNG. Safety is also enhanced with battery swapping, as users don’t need to take the risk of charging batteries inside their homes. Users who do not have access to charging options will find battery swapping a convenient and time-saving option.
Honda will continue to expand its battery swapping network in the coming years. This will ensure easy availability and avoid unnecessary miles being wasted in refuelling. For Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, there are plans to expand the battery swapping network to 500 stations by March 2026.
