Honda launches QC3 electric scooter at Rs 1.35 lakh, claims 145 km range

Honda has launched its new QC3 electric scooter in response to rising demand for electric scooters. Unlike the Activa e:, which has a swappable battery setup, the company has used a fixed battery in this new model.

The scooter's key highlight is its 3kWh battery, which the company claims delivers a range of 145 km on the IDC cycle on a full charge. It also gets 32 litres of under-seat storage space. The new electric scooter is set to compete directly with models already established in the market, such as the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta.

On price and bookings, the Honda QC3 has a Delhi ex-showroom price of Rs 1.35 lakh. Customers can book it for Rs 5,000 through Honda's official website or its RedWing dealerships. In the initial phase, the scooter will be available for sale in five major cities: Delhi, Agra, Cuttack, Surat and Kollam. Although the launch was national, customers outside these five cities will not be able to buy the scooter directly from a showroom for now. The company will gradually expand availability to other cities.

On charging time, the scooter takes about 2 hours 40 minutes to charge from 0 to 80 percent, while a full charge to 100 percent takes about 4 hours.

Keeping everyday needs in mind, Honda has provided 32 litres of under-seat storage. It also includes a smart key for safety and convenience. Other features include a 5-inch TFT display for the instrument console, which comes with Honda RoadSync connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation. The scooter will be available in four colours: Matte Photon Grey Metallic, Pearl Precious White, Pearl Shallow Blue and Pearl Siren Blue.

With a price of Rs 1.35 lakh, a 3kWh battery, a 145 km range and 32 litres of storage, the scooter looks like a strong option on paper. However, for real-world users, the mileage in daily use, charging convenience, local availability and on-road price will determine the scooter's actual success, not just the claimed range.