Honda Slashes Activa E Battery Subscription Cost with New ‘Lite’ Plan: Is It Enough to Revive Sales?

Honda Activa E Gets Budget Battery Swap Plan Amid Sluggish Sales — ₹678/Month Lite Plan Launched

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has unveiled a much-needed price cut in its battery subscription model for the Activa E, its flagship electric scooter. Starting June 2025, customers can opt for the new 'Lite' battery swap subscription plan, priced at just ₹678/month (₹800 including GST), marking a massive 60% reduction from the earlier ₹1,999/month (Basic plan).

This new plan is part of Honda’s broader push to make the Activa E more affordable and accessible, particularly after facing sluggish sales in early 2025. According to SIAM data, Honda sold only 106 units in March 2025, which dropped further to 32 units in April.

What is the Honda Lite Plan?

·       Monthly cost: ₹678 + GST (total ~₹800)

·       Energy quota: 20 kWh/month (~600 km range)

·       Battery swaps included: 6 full swaps (based on 3 kWh per swap)

·       Extra swap fee: ₹70 per battery (vs ₹35 for Basic plan users)

This subscription is tailored for urban commuters with lower daily usage, offering up to 20 km of riding per day under the plan.

Why Are Activa E Sales Struggling?

Despite the aggressive pricing, the Honda Activa E faces hurdles:

1.     Battery-swap only model: No home-charging option deters users.

2.     Limited swap network: Operational only in Bengaluru (150+ stations), delaying deliveries in Delhi and Mumbai.

3.     Intense competition: Models like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, and Ola S1 Air offer more flexibility and are widely available.

4.     Premium pricing: The Activa E starts at ₹1.17 lakh (STD) and goes up to ₹1.52 lakh (RoadSync Duo)—making it costlier than rivals in key segments.

Key Features of the Honda Activa E

·       6 kW electric motor

·       Dual 1.5 kWh swappable batteries

·       Claimed range: 102 km

·       All-LED lighting setup

·       5-inch TFT (STD) / 7-inch TFT (RoadSync) with Bluetooth

·       Navigation, music, and call/SMS alerts

Swap Network Expansion and Rollout Delays

While the swap infrastructure is rapidly expanding in Bengaluru, the Delhi and Mumbai rollouts are still pending. Until then, the lack of swap stations is a major bottleneck for wider adoption.

Honda’s battery arm, Power Pack Energy India, is reportedly ramping up installations in these metros, with deliveries in Delhi expected soon and Mumbai trailing behind.

Conclusion: Can the Lite Plan Save Activa E?

While the Lite subscription plan significantly lowers monthly costs, its success hinges on the availability of the swap network and consumer trust in the battery-as-a-service model. Honda needs to urgently improve city-level accessibility and offer greater value to compete with established EV leaders.

This pricing reset is a step in the right direction, but Honda’s future in the EV space depends on how quickly it can bridge infrastructure gaps and offer nationwide support.