Honda is expected to launch its first EV in the country, the Benly e any time soon as it has been spied testing again. Though it’s targeted at the small businesses which require an EV for cost-effective transportation, Honda might also launch variants for general public.
Revealed in 2019, the scooter comes in 4 variants – Benly e I, Benly e I Pro, Benly e II and Benly e II Pro. It gets a LED headlight, a digital cluster, and an accessory power socket.
The Honda Benly e I and I Pro come powered by a 3.75 HP electric motor putting out 13 Nm of torque, while the Benly e II and II Pro feature a 5.6 HP motor that makes 15 Nm.
Two 48 V lithium-ion batteries which Honda calls the ‘Mobile Power Pack’ (MPP) provide juice to the scooter’s electric motor. Each 20.8 Ah pack is detachable and swappable.
Range per charge is 87 km (at 30 km/hr on a flat road) for Benly e I and I Pro and 43 km (at 60 km/hr on a flat road) for Benly e II and II Pro. If the batteries run flat, they have to be detached and connected to dedicated chargers.
Honda claims the Benly e can climb hills up to a 12-degree incline with cargo (30 kg for Benly e I and I Pro and 60 kg for for Benly e II and II Pro), while there is a reverse assist feature as well.
Riding on 12-inch front wheel (90/90-section rubber) and 10-inch rear wheel (110/90-section tyre), the electric scooter that weighs between 125 kg and 130 kg, has combined braking system (CBS). The scooter has been already patented in India.