Honda Activa Electric To Soon Get 'Home Charging', But With A Twist: European Model Shows the Way
The Honda Activa electric scooter, one of the most awaited models from the two-wheeler giant, may soon overcome its biggest drawback; the lack of home charging. While Indian buyers currently rely only on Honda’s limited battery swapping network, the company’s European version of the same scooter already supports home charging through a removable battery dock.
This development has sparked fresh hope that a similar setup might be introduced in India, addressing one of the most common complaints from customers.
Europe’s Setup Could Be the Game-Changer
Honda’s CUV e:, sold in Europe, is nearly identical to India’s Activa e:. It includes dual 1.3kWh removable batteries that can be charged using a 270W dock at home. The full charging time is about six hours, while a partial charge (from 25% to 75%) takes just three hours.
This flexibility is what many Indian buyers have been asking for. With the European version offering both battery swapping and home charging, it shows a practical and user-friendly solution to the daily hassle of finding a charging point.
Why India Still Doesn’t Have It
In India, Honda has so far held back from offering home charging. The company has raised concerns about safety, pointing out poor home wiring, voltage fluctuations, and risks linked to people charging batteries indoors. Honda argues that charging at dedicated stations is safer and ensures better battery life.
But this safety-first approach has also led to frustration. Honda currently runs just 83 swapping stations in Bengaluru. There are only 10 in Delhi, and the Mumbai network is still being built. Until there’s better coverage, users are stuck planning their rides around these limited locations.
The pricing model is another sticking point. Activa e: buyers don’t own the battery outright. Instead, they subscribe to battery plans ranging from ₹800 to ₹2,358 per month. If users exceed their plan limit, they’re charged extra for swaps. While many like the scooter’s ride quality, they find this system restrictive.
Other Brands Are Leaving Honda Behind
Honda's delay in offering home charging comes at a time when the electric scooter market in India is moving fast. Brands like TVS and Bajaj now hold almost half of the market. TVS has a 24% share and Bajaj follows with 21.8%, thanks to models like the iQube and Chetak that offer traditional home charging at attractive prices starting from under ₹1 lakh.
Even Ola Electric, once the market leader with a 47% share, has dropped to 19.2%. Buyers are increasingly choosing scooters that offer both easy charging and strong after-sales support. This shift highlights how important charging convenience is for Indian users.
With the EV two-wheeler market growing 32% year-on-year in June 2025 and over 1.14 million units sold in 2024, competition is heating up. Government schemes like PM E-Drive, which has set aside ₹2,000 crore for charging infrastructure, are pushing things further.
Bringing the Dock to India Makes Sense
The European version shows that it’s possible to offer home charging with removable batteries. The dock-based setup avoids the need for built-in charging ports and can fit easily into Indian homes.
For Indian Activa e: buyers, this could be the perfect solution, charge at home when you can, and swap batteries only when you need to. The scooter already has a 102km range and uses the same motor and battery as the European version. So the only real difference is in how you charge it.
If Honda adds the charging dock as an optional accessory, it could attract a wider audience, especially in cities where swapping stations are still limited. This move could help Honda stand out in a crowded market without dropping its focus on safety and controlled charging.
With Honda planning to expand to more cities soon, and the EV market expected to reach a value of $113.99 billion by 2029, offering a flexible charging option may no longer be a question of if, but when.
For now, buyers will need to decide whether they’re comfortable depending entirely on swapping stations. But if Honda listens to its customers and brings the European charging dock to India, the Activa e: could become a much more practical and appealing choice.