Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Is Being Tested By ARAI — Honda’s First Electric Scooter Is A Cargo EV

The Honda Benly e is being tested by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). A new video has surfaced online, where we see Honda's commercial electric scooter, the Benly e being tested by the ARAI.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

As a part of the testing process, the scooter was spotted on test with a cargo load that could weigh close to its full capacity. Honda revealed the Benly e back in 2019 for international markets. At the time of launch, the Benly e had 4 variants- Benly e I, Benly e I Pro, Benly e II and Benly e II Pro.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

The Honda Benly e I and Benly e I Pro come with a 3.74bhp electric motor pumping out 13 Nm of torque. both these variants can reach a maximum speed of 30kmph while having a range of 87km on a single full charge.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

The other two variants, the Benly e II and Benly e II Pro are almost 150% more powerful thanks to a 5.62bhp electric motor with 15 Nm of torque. In this configuration, the Benly e can reach a top speed of 60kmph. However, the range takes a slight hit with a maximum range of just 43kms.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

One of the reasons for the reduced range in the more powerful variant is because all the variants of Benly use an identical battery pack which Honda calls as 'Mobile Power Pack' (MPP). The MPP consists of two 48V lithium-ion batteries, with each pack consisting of 20.8 Ah cells.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

To suit the demanding requirements of corporates, Honda has cleverly designed the battery pack to enable users to quickly swap out the empty batteries. That being said, the Benly weighs around 125 to 130kgs, and Honda claims that it can climb a 12-degree incline with a cargo load of 30kg to 60kg (depending on the variant).

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

The Honda Benly e electric scooter looks very bare-basic with simple panels. It even has a large footboard designed to carry loads. It even gets a long and flat rear deck to carry cargo. This is not an aesthetic scooter but a functional one. However, it does get a funky LED headlamp setup up front.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

Honda uses a 90/90 section rubber shod on a 12-inch rim at the front, while the rear uses 110/90 section tyres. These rather large size tyres further strengthen the scooter's 'commercial' roots. As of now, it seems like Honda will sell this electric scooter exclusively to corporate buyers.

Honda Benly e Electric Scooter Being Tested By ARAI: Benly e To Be Sold Only To Corporate Companies

Thoughts On Honda Benly E Electric Scooter Being Tested By The ARAI

When Honda launches the Benly e, it won't be suitable for a majority of people looking for an electric scooter, as the Benly is designed for a specific purpose in mind. Also going by some reports, it would not be made available for everyone to purchase. It will however, prove to be useful for companies in need of a vehicle for last mile deliveries, food delivery, etc.

Source: MotorBeam

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Read more on: #honda
Article Published On: Monday, June 7, 2021, 10:58 [IST]
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