The Indian automotive market for electric mobility is still in its early stages, lagging behind international counterparts. Despite this, there's a growing interest and investment in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) sector. Currently, India offers limited all-electric options for four-wheelers, but the two-wheeler category, particularly electric scooters, has seen significant activity over the past few years. Electric scooters, or ‘e-scooters,’ dominate this segment.
We've explored why an electric scooter is a more practical choice than a conventional petrol-CVT scooter, especially in urban settings. Although premium or ‘high-speed’ electric scooters come with a higher price tag compared to their petrol equivalents, their lower operational costs and ease of use provide long-term benefits. As emission-free powertrains and lithium-ion battery technology advance, the appeal of electric scooters is expected to grow.
India currently has five major electric two-wheeler brands leading the market: Okinawa, Hero Electric, Ather Energy, Ampere, and Revolt. Major conventional manufacturers like TVS Motor Company and Bajaj Auto have also entered the fray with models like the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak.
In the fiscal year 2019/20, Okinawa emerged as the bestselling electric scooter brand in India, specifically in the ‘high-speed e-scooter’ category. With total sales of 10,133 units, Okinawa surpassed Hero Electric by more than 2,700 units. Ather Energy, based in Bangalore and known for setting high standards in India’s transition to emission-free mobility, secured the third spot with 2,908 units sold last fiscal year. Ampere, focusing mainly on ‘low-speed’ scooters, followed closely with 2,499 units sold.
Low-speed scooters, which typically have a top speed of 25 km/h, do not require a licence or registration, making them accessible to riders of any age. Revolt, which specialises in electric commuter motorcycles, ranked fifth with 1,062 units sold. Although Revolt’s portfolio includes only electric motorcycles, it is included in this list due to the limited number of players in the overall EV market.
The sales data reveals significant fluctuations, primarily due to the limited availability of e-scooters compared to conventional petrol-CVT models. Electric scooter sales are concentrated in select cities, and production numbers are carefully determined following extensive market research. This cautious approach is also evident in the current range of electric four-wheelers available in India.
As technology progresses, the desirability and adoption of electric scooters in India are poised to increase. The combination of decreasing running costs, technological advancements, and growing environmental awareness will likely drive the electric mobility market forward in the coming years.