Honda QC1 First Ride Review: A Pocket-Friendly Activa e:?

While the QC1 electric scooter looks similar to the Activa e:, there are many differences setting the two apart. This is the more affordable scooter and it gets a fixed battery pack. Alongside the Activa e:, we also got to experience this more affordable scooter and here is what we think.

Design

The Honda QC1 shares many design elements with the Activa e: but it misses out on the LED DRL and has a different, more simple taillight setup as well. Just like the Activa e, the QC1 has good fit and finish and is available with the option of five colour schemes.

They include Pearl Igneous Black, Pearl Misty White, Pearl Serenity Blue, Pearl Shallow Blue, and Matt Foggy Silver Metallic.

Performance

Powered by a hub-mounted BLDC motor, the QC1 has a top speed of 50 km/h and a claimed acceleration time of 9.7 seconds to get from 0-40 km/h. It has two riding modes where Eco mode can only get up to an indicated 32kmph, which is only useful in stop-go traffic. The standard mode gets up to an indicated 52kmph 

While the acceleration is smooth, the QC1 does feel quite slow even for a daily commuter. The route I took consisted of flyovers and a highway stretch, where the scooter was falling behind and I had to be careful to avoid the fast passing trucks and cars coming from behind. The QC1 will be a good option for those that have a very short city commute or those that need a scooter only for a quick grocery run, around 2 to 3 kms away from home. 

Battery and Range

The QC1 is equipped with a fixed 1.5kWh battery, offering a claimed range of 80km on a full charge. Charging the battery to full capacity is said to take approximately 6 hours and 50 minutes (claimed) using the supplied 330-watt charger, while an 80% charge can be achieved in 4 hours and 30 minutes (claimed).

Considering that the QC1 might be used only for short rides, 80km of range should easily last for a few days before the scooter needs a recharge.

Storage

Thanks to the fixed battery pack, QC1 is more practical than the Activa e:. It gets 26 litres of underseat storage and a single, 1.45 litre storage pocket at the front. This pocket can easily fit in a phone, riding gloves, wallet, or even a small purse.

The underseat storage can fit in a half-face helmet towards the front and has space behind to accommodate the charger, alongside a few more small items. 

Handling and Ride Quality

The QC1's is a really lightweight scooter with a kerb weight of only 89.5kg, It gets a 12/10-inch alloy wheel setup and drum brakes at both ends. The QC1 is light to maneuver and very easy to ride, making it accessible to a wide range of riders. 

The suspension setup is even stiffer than the Activa e: so riders will have to cross bad sections with some caution. The tyres were grippy throughout the ride and the drum brakes with CBS were more than adequate for a scooter with a top-speed of 50kmph. 

Features

The scooter comes equipped with a negative LCD display, offering essential information at a quick glance. The QC1 misses out on advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity and the switchgear is more simple.

Although, it gets a USB charger and is a practical option with its generous storage capacity. 

Verdict

The Honda QC1 is a practical and simple electric scooter but the performance is a little too slow for daily commuting. The price of Rs 90,000 (ex-showroom), makes it more affordable than the Activa e:, but as mentioned above, it will only serve the purpose of being a house or office scooter to run quick errands. The fixed battery pack and storage capacity make it a straightforward choice for those prioritizing functionality, but the slower top-speed limits its daily commuting abilities.