Is Honda’s debut electric scooter packing enough to take on one of its direct competitors, the entry-level base TVS iQube?
Is Honda’s debut electric scooter packing enough to take on one of its direct competitors, the entry-level base TVS iQube?
Honda’s debut in India’s electric two-wheeler space was much anticipated, and now that it has arrived does it have the right armaments to put up a good fight? Honda’s affordable electric scooter option, the QC 1, is the lightest in the segment, delivers a range more or less on par with the competition, and looks quite modern too. But does that make it better than the base TVS iQube, which will be one of its direct competitors? Let’s find out.
Despite a smaller battery, the Honda QC 1 delivers slightly more range than the TVS iQube, in their respective conservative modes. But with a more powerful charger, the TVS iQube will be more practical with quicker charging time.
| Honda QC 1 | TVS iQube | |
| Battery | 1.5 kWh | 2.2 kWh |
| Range | 80 km (Econ) | 75 km (In Eco) |
| Charger | 330 W | 950W |
| 0-80 Per Cent Charging Time | 4 hours 30 minutes | 2 hours |
With a bigger motor comes more torque, so it’s no surprise that the TVS iQube is quicker than the Honda QC 1 despite its heavier kerb weight. Both are available with two ride modes: one to extract the maximum range and the other to be more of a standard mode ideal for daily traffic scenarios. In the TVS, it’s called Eco and Power, whereas Honda calls it Econ and Standard.
| Honda QC 1 | TVS iQube 2.2 kWh battery | |
| Electric Motor | 1.8 kW | 4.4 kW |
| Peak Torque | 78 Nm | 140 Nm |
| Top Speed | 50 kmph | 75 kmph |
| Acceleration (0-40 kmph) | 9.2 seconds | 4.2 seconds |
On the chassis front, while TVS places its battery inside the floorboard, Honda has put the battery under the seats, right in front of the electric motor. But both employ the same telescopic and dual-shock absorbers combo as its suspension.
On the braking front, the TVS provides better with a disc/drum brake combination, whereas Honda goes for drum brakes at both ends.
| Honda QC 1 | TVS iQube 2.2 kWh battery | |
| Frame | Underbone | Tubular structure |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | 5-step Adjustable Twin Hydraulic Shock Absorbers | Twin Hydraulic Shock Absorbers |
| Front Brakes | 130 mm Drum | 220 mm Disc |
| Rear Brakes | 130 mm Drum | 130 mm Drum |
| Wheel Size | 12-/10-inches | 12-/12-inches |
Just like the Honda Activa e, the new Honda QC 1 is longer and wider but shorter than the iQube. As a result, it has a very accessible seat height, and yet Honda has managed to maintain a respectable ground clearance. However, due to the battery’s placement, Honda’s under-seat storage capacity falls slightly short in comparison. The TVS iQube S continues to boast the largest under-seat storage space at 30 litres.
| Honda QC 1 | TVS iQube 2.2 kWh battery | |
| Length | 1826 mm | 1805 mm |
| Width | 701 mm | 645 mm |
| Height | 1129 mm | 1140 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1275 mm | 1301 mm |
| Seat Height | 704 mm | 770 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 169 mm | 157 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 89.5 kg | 110 kg |
| Boot Space | 26-litres | 30-litres |
When it comes to features, the Honda QC 1 is a very modest option. It gets a 5-inch LCD console without any connectivity option, none at all. There is a 40 W USB-C port mounted inside the apron right above a cubby hole for your mobile phone. The headlight, tail light, and turn indicators are all LED, though.
In comparison, the TVS iQube feels quite a modern alternative with all the bells and whistles. For starters, there’s a 5-inch TFT cluster which comes with smartphone connectivity, and thereby supports turn-by-turn navigation, call alert, crash and fall alert, music control, geo-fencing, anti-theft alert, live-location status, and so much more. There’s a USB-C port available too, along with an all-LED headlight, turn indicators, and tail light.
The new Honda QC 1 is a nice modern-looking electric scooter which has the practical credentials to be an ideal option for daily usage. It might not pack a lot of features, but the basics have been addressed. The TVS iQube looks good, is practical and is quicker too. And more importantly, the iQube has been selling handsomely for a while now. Will the Honda be just as good? 2025 shall bring us all of the answers.
