E-motorcycles gear up
Scooter maker Ola Electric’s foray into electric motorcycles is expected to give a fillip to the electric vehicle adoption in the motorbike segment. On August 15, it announced the launch of three models — Roadster, Roadster X and Roadster Pro. The starting price of ~74,999 places Ola as a strong rival to many entry-level ICE (internal combustion engine) motorcycles such as Hero Splendor Plus.
At the launch, Ola’s founder and CMD Bhavish Aggarwal said, “Today, two-third of India’s two-wheeler market consists of motorcycles, and with Ola’s entry, EV penetration is poised to further accelerate in the two-wheeler segment. We have already been successful in accelerating the EV adoption in the scooter segment, and with our futuristic portfolio of products, we are now focused on supercharging the EV penetration through our motorcycles.”
The delivery of Ola motorcycles will start from the fourth quarter of the current financial year. Ola Electric is not the first player in the e-motorcycle market. There are several players operating in the segment such as Revolt Motors, Oben Electric, Odysse Electric and Ultraviolette. However, their motorcycles are priced higher than Ola.
Majority of the around 20 electric two-wheeler manufacturers in India compete in the crowded scooter segment.
“While the scooter market has become quite saturated, there is immense potential in the relatively untapped EV motorcycle space. Revolt holds the largest market share. Although Ola has entered the market, its products are expected to be delivered only in the next calendar year,” says Anjali Rattan, chairperson, Revolt Motors.
Revolt claims it has sold more than 40,000 bikes till date, making it the top player in the e-motorcycle market. Revolt launched its first bike in 2019. Since then, it has introduced three models — RV400, RV300 and RV400 BRZ, with the RV300 now phased out. The RV400 and RV400 BRZ are priced at ~1,34,950 and ~1,27,950 respectively (ex-showroom).
In March, Oben Electric launched Oben Rorr, a 150cc ICE-comparable motorcycle. The company sold 250 bikes from one experience centre in Bengaluru. Since then, it expanded nationwide with stores in Delhi, Pune and Kerala. The company is targeting 50 new showrooms across 12 cities pan-India by the year-end.
Nemin Vora, CEO, Odysse Electric, says the electric motorcycle space in India has more than 10 key players and each is contributing to the market with a range of over 15 distinct models, catering to varying consumer needs — from high-performance motorcycles to those designed for everyday commuting. “This growing competition underscores the immense potential of the electric motorcycle segment and reinforces the need for continuous innovation and consumer-focused strategies,” adds Vora.
Odysse Electric Vehicles launched its first electric sports bike, Evoqis, on March 15, 2020, when the company was officially launched in Ahmedabad. It also offers a commuter bike for daily users.
According to data compiled by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), as per the Vahan portal, 9,44,126 units of electric two-wheelers (e2w) were sold in 2023-24, against 7,28,054 units in 2022-23, with scooters having a lion’s share. Anjali Rattan says the percentage of motorcycles sold is just 1.5 per cent of the total EV two-wheeler space, indicating the long road ahead and the potential for growth.
Madhumita Agrawal, founder and CEO of Oben Electric, is of the view that e-motorcycles account for 5-7 per cent of the total high-speed electric two-wheeler sales. “Electric motorcycles are complex machines to build due to high engineering and rigorous R&D. The expectation around performance, agility and the design of motorcycles is higher compared to scooters,” she says.
Data suggests that by 2030, electric motorcycles will account for approximately half of the market share. This upward trend is expected to continue as more consumers recognise the benefits of e-motorcycles, supported by improvements in battery technology and expanding charging infrastructure.
Potential for e-motorbikes
Motorcycles have consistently dominated the two-wheeler market in India, accounting for two-thirds of all two-wheelers sold. “As the nation progresses towards electrification, we firmly believe that motorcycles will continue to lead in the two-wheeler space, and the EV motorcycle space will be the primary beneficiary of this trend,” says Rattan.
According to Agrawal, “The potential for electric motorcycles is immense, driven by a combination of government initiatives, increasing consumer awareness and rapid technological advancements. Over the past three years, the electric two-wheeler market has been booming. There’s still a significant unmet demand for e-motorcycles, especially among daily commuters.”
According to Revolt Motors, developing a robust and reliable EV motorcycle demands time and technical expertise, especially considering that India’s EV industry is still in its early stages, with only five years of development. “Secondly, apart from Revolt, a few players are actively focusing on the commuter segment, which holds the most potential for growth. At Revolt, we will be launching several new models tailored to commuters in the near future,” says Rattan.
Experts feel several challenges need to be addressed. “First, there is the need for a seamless transition from ICE to electric vehicles. Secondly, range anxiety is a significant concern. Charging infrastructure is another hurdle. In addition to this, safety is crucial, and we’ve tackled this by introducing advanced LFP chemistry batteries known for their heat resistance and extended lifecycle,” says Agrawal. Another key factor is price sensitivity.
Vora is of the view that “limited availability of charging infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, exacerbates range anxiety. Battery performance issues, including concerns about range and charging times, further deter potential buyers”.
There’s also a gap in consumer awareness, with misconceptions about the reliability and benefits of electric motorcycles still prevalent.
