Honda To Launch Its First Electric Scooter By FY2025: Will It Be Electric Activa?

Two-wheeler manufacturer, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is all set to launch its first electric scooter in the current fiscal year. The highly anticipated e-scooter is expected to debut at the Bharat Mobility Show 2025, scheduled to take place from January 17 to 22, 2025.

This marks a pivotal moment for Honda, as the company, despite holding a dominant position in India's internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheeler market, has yet to introduce an electric variant. Speculation is rife about whether the upcoming electric scooter will be based on the wildly popular Activa platform, though HMSI has kept specific details under wraps. Whether the Activa brand will lead this electric charge remains to be seen, but all eyes are on the Bharat Mobility Show for the grand reveal.

In addition to its EV launch, HMSI will also introduce the flex-fuel-powered CB300F. First showcased at the Bharat Mobility Show earlier this year, the CB300F is designed to run on ethanol-blended fuel, with up to 85 per cent ethanol (E85). 

Yogesh Mathur, Director of Sales & Marketing at HMSI, emphasized the company's multi-faceted approach to future mobility. “We are exploring various fuel options—EVs, flex-fuel, and other alternative fuels—as part of our strategy. We aim to diversify and adapt to the evolving market,”. This approach will be vital as Honda aims to make one-third of its two-wheeler portfolio electric by 2030. The electric two-wheeler market in India is growing at a steady 8 per cent annually, providing ample opportunity for companies to stake their claim.

Currently, HMSI’s revenue is heavily weighted toward scooters, which contribute to 60 per cent of its sales, with motorcycles making up the remaining 40 per cent. However, the transition to EVs and alternative fuels signals a potential shift in this balance.

In preparation for the growing demand in both electric and flex-fuel vehicles, HMSI recently expanded production at its Gujarat facility by adding a new production line. With a current capacity of 6.2 million units annually, the company is poised for further expansion based on market demands. "We are studying the options for expanding our capacity further," noted Mathur, hinting at the company’s readiness to scale up as required.

Despite the excitement surrounding future launches, HMSI faces short-term challenges in the traditional ICE segment. Addressing concerns about sluggish sales during the festive season, Mathur acknowledged that October will be a critical month for two-wheeler sales. "This year, the festive season is condensed into a single month, which may impact overall sales figures," he said.

Utkarsh Agarwal

BW Reporters The author is the Editorial Lead of BW Auto World