India’s electric two-wheeler (E2W) market is increasingly being shaped by homegrown manufacturers, with traditional domestic players rapidly scaling volumes while global incumbents struggle to establish relevance in the new powertrain era. Monthly sales in the segment have expanded to roughly 1.23 lakh units, underscoring strong consumer migration toward electric mobility, particularly in urban commuting.

Within this expanding market, three Indian companies-TVS Motor Company, Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp now control close to 60 percent of domestic E2W sales. Their dominance reflects early investments, localized product strategies, and widespread dealer networks that have allowed them to convert brand familiarity into EV adoption.

By contrast, Japanese manufacturers that historically dominated India’s petrol-powered scooter segment are facing muted demand for their electric offerings. The divergence suggests that legacy leadership in internal combustion engines does not automatically translate into success in battery-powered mobility.

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), long a market leader in conventional scooters, has struggled to gain traction in the electric category despite launching models such as the Activa e and QC1. Over the past year, the company sold fewer than 4,000 electric two-wheelers, according to vehicle registration data. Production has also stalled; industry data indicates that no units of these models have been manufactured since August 2025, with dealers reportedly clearing existing inventory.

This weak performance stands in stark contrast to domestic rivals. TVS Motor Company reportedly matches Honda’s annual EV sales within days, while Bajaj Auto reaches comparable volumes in under a week. Honda’s earlier projection that electric vehicles would comprise one-third of its two-wheeler portfolio by 2030 has already been revised downward to about 20 percent, signalling a more cautious outlook.

Suzuki Motorcycle India is also experiencing a slow rollout. Its electric scooter e-Access, unveiled in early 2025, entered commercial sales only in January 2026 after months of limited production. Manufacturing output has remained low, and retail sales in the initial months have been modest. To stimulate demand, the company has introduced financial incentives and bundled charging equipment, indicating the need to accelerate consumer adoption.

Yamaha Motor India has taken a different route by entering the market through a partnership model rather than building a ground-up product. Its recently launched EC-06 scooter is based on a platform developed by a Bengaluru-based EV start-up in which Yamaha holds an equity stake. This approach allows faster entry with lower capital commitment but may limit immediate scale.

The contrasting strategies highlight how domestic manufacturers have built a structural advantage. Companies such as TVS, Bajaj and Hero have invested in dedicated EV platforms, localized supply chains, and battery ecosystems over several years. Their electric products — including iQube, Chetak and Vida benefit from strong brand recall, extensive service networks, and familiarity among Indian consumers.