Post the evaluation of Honda’s market for EVs, Atsushi Ogata, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India President has confirmed in the interview with ET Auto that the company is able to see the launch of an actual Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) EV product within the next financial year.
EV Testing, Battery Swapping & Much More
In the ARAI (Automotive Research Association Of India) facility in Pune, the electric scooter Honda Benly e was spotted testing last year. It is to test the battery-swapping technology rather than bringing a B2B product in our market. Honda Power Pack Energy India Private Limited, a subsidiary was set up by Honda for the same and is currently doing a pilot run with three-wheelers in Bengaluru.
As most of the Indian households do not have an EV charging point in their residential/work complex, Honda favouring battery-swapping doesn’t come as a surprise. As a matter of fact, that battery-swapping could be the solution for economic, hassle-free charging, and the same is bolstered by the instances like Bounce introducing subscription-based battery-swapping model, and Hero teaming up with Gogoro for its upcoming EVs.
So, if is not the Benly e for Indian market, then does this mean that it would include a rather premium offering like Honda PCX Electric?
But for a market where the likes of Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube Electric and the upcoming Suzuki Burgman Electric are already making waves, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India shall launch a product to lock horns with an Indian-specific model first. Also, there is a lot of popularity and sentimental value of the ‘Activa’ moniker, so the new EV could most probably be named as “Activa E”.
The Electric Push
A plan to formulate a policy for battery swapping has also been announced in the FY22 budget by the finance minister. With central and state governments incentivising EV adoption, it is only a matter of time before battery swapping stations become a regular sight. Hero is all set to launch its new electric scooter next month and Honda planning to enter the market, the fiercely competitive and covetous EV two-wheeler market will be an eyesight.
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