Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), which entered the electric scooter market in February 2025, has stopped producing its two new EV models—the Activa E and QC1—since August. Data from industry body SIAM shows that no units were manufactured between August and October 2025.
From February to July, Honda produced 11,168 electric scooters at its Narasapura plant in Karnataka. Deliveries began in March, with the highest monthly output recorded that same month at 4,570 units. However, production steadily dropped in the following months—1,800 units in April, 1,200 units in both May and June, and only 536 units in July. So far, Honda has dispatched 5,201 units to dealers.
Sales numbers show a clear trend: customers prefer the QC1 over the Activa E. Out of the 5,201 units sold to dealers, 4,461 were QC1 scooters, which means it accounts for nearly 86% of Honda’s e-scooter sales. The QC1 is cheaper, easier to charge at home, and available in more cities. On the other hand, the Activa E depends entirely on Honda’s battery swapping stations, which are still limited to cities like Bengaluru, and are slowly expanding to Delhi and Mumbai.
The Activa E is a more stylish scooter with two swappable 1.5 kWh batteries, a 102 km range, and an 80 km/h top speed. The QC1, priced at ₹90,000, has a smaller fixed 1.5 kWh battery, an 80 km range, and a 50 km/h top speed. Its simple charging method makes it more appealing to everyday users.
According to Vahan data, 3,045 Honda e-scooters have been registered so far, with July showing the highest retail sales at 411 units. However, Honda still has a large number of unsold scooters sitting with dealers. This high inventory is likely the main reason behind the company’s decision to pause production.
While other companies like TVS, Hero, and Bajaj are performing well in the electric two-wheeler segment, Honda is facing slow demand for its first EV lineup in India. Experts believe the Activa E may succeed once Honda expands its battery-swapping network, while the QC1 remains a budget-friendly option with some compromises. Meanwhile, Suzuki has also entered the electric market, but its e-Access scooter is yet to go on sale.
