Motorcycles are the highest-selling category of two-wheelers in India, in this the 110cc to 125cc engine category dominates both motorcycles and automatic scooters. These happen to be the cheapest vehicle category. But the thing to be noted here is that the higher capacity vehicle 125cc has more sales than 110cc. There is a clear 60:40 split in favor of 125cc … meaning people also want a little premium look and feel along with economy of the vehicle.
Most-Selling Categories in India: Motorcycles hold the majority share of the Indian two-wheeler market at around 61%, while scooters account for about 37%.
The Hero Splendor leads overall motorcycle sales, and the Honda Activa leads the scooter market.
Engine Displacement: The 100cc to 125cc segment is the volume driver. Entry-level commuter bikes (like the Splendor 100cc and Shine 125cc) and family scooters (like the Activa 110cc/125cc and Jupiter 110cc) make up the vast majority of daily sales… the bread and butter vehicles.
How Electric 2-Wheelers (e-2Ws) Target These Categories:
Electric two-wheeler makers are targeting these high-volume commuter segments (110cc- 125cc engine) through specific product and pricing strategies. The total e2W sale of just Ather & Ola has enough volume to match the sale of a big traditional player.
Meaning Petrol 2Wheeler makers have already started to lose market of Petrol 2Wheeler sales to their rivals or to their own ELECTRIC 2Wheeler division.
Electric scooters typically offer top speeds of 75–90 km/h and real-world ranges of 85–120 km. This directly matches the pick-up, daily utility, and speed of traditional 110cc–125cc petrol scooters.
Lower Operating Costs: To attract value-conscious commuter buyers who traditionally buy Hero Splendor or Honda Activa for high fuel efficiency, EV brands market a running cost of a fraction of a rupee per kilometer.
Focus on Family and Utility Formats: Most top-selling EVs use a traditional step-through scooter body style with large under-seat storage and flat footboards. This targets the exact convenience-driven demographic that buys the Honda Activa or TVS Jupiter for grocery runs and school drops.
Transitioning to Electric Motorcycles: While electric scooters dominate over 85% of the EV market, companies are slowly introducing commuter-focused electric motorcycles (like the Revolt RV400, Ola Roadster and Oben Rorr) styled like 200cc motorcycles to peel away buyers from top-selling petrol geared bikes.
Additionally, the companies are actively working to reinforce its broader service ecosystem and maintain customer confidence to secure long-term demand.
Scale is an advantage when it is supported by reliable product performance and sustainable, nationwide demand.
The Verdict
The Indian 2-wheeler market stands at the precipice of a significant paradigm shift.
Electric motorcycles are already matching the affordability of a commuter bike while delivering the long-distance reliability of an ICE engine.
Moreover fear of Ethanol blended petrol corroding their expensive bikes and scooters is another factor that will push more and more people to adopt electric 2Wheelers.
Early market indicators suggest that the strategy is beginning to yield results, with the Roadster series rapidly capturing a dominant share of the nascent electric motorcycle market in major states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Ola Electric’s Ola Electric Roadster series seems to have achieved disproportionately high market share and strong sales traction in Uttar Pradesh compared to many other states.
By combining localized cell production, competitive pricing, and extended battery range, the Ola Roadster series provides the exact framework needed to transition the Indian motorcycle market from a petrol-dominated past into an electrified, mass-market future.
