Electric two-wheeler sales in India recorded a massive jump in August 2026. According to data from AutoPunditz, the combined sales of listed electric scooter models reached 1,87,214 units last month. This represents a 146 percent year-on-year increase compared to 76,118 units sold in August 2025. The market added 1,11,096 extra units in just one year.
The growth is broad-based. Every model that had sales in August 2025 posted a positive growth rate this year. The top four models alone — Bajaj Chetak, TVS iQube, Hero Vida, and Ather Rizta — accounted for 1,43,274 units, which is 76.5 percent of the total listed volume.
Bajaj Chetak Tops Model Rankings
Bajaj Chetak emerged as the best-selling electric scooter model in August 2026 with 52,248 units. This is a 273 percent jump from 14,014 units a year ago. The scooter added 38,234 units in absolute terms, the highest volume increase among all models. Chetak now commands 27.9 percent of the listed market and finished 9,366 units ahead of its closest rival.
The strong performance comes on the back of aggressive retail expansion. According to Vahan registration data cited by EVIndia.online, Bajaj registered 3,02,179 electric two-wheelers between January and August 2026, a 68 percent year-on-year growth. The brand has also expanded its network to over 100 touchpoints in Kerala alone, helping it win over traditional scooter buyers.
TVS iQube and Orbiter Combine for Manufacturer Lead
While Chetak leads the model chart, TVS Motor leads the manufacturer tally. The iQube sold 42,882 units, up 76 percent from 24,434 units in August 2025. The newly introduced Orbiter added 14,641 units in its first appearance in the data. Together, the two models delivered 57,523 units, giving TVS a 30.7 percent share of the listed volumes.
TVS has also refreshed its lineup with the iQube 2.3 kWh variant priced at Rs 1.16 lakh (ex-showroom Bengaluru) and the premium MillionR Edition at Rs 1.49 lakh. These launches target both budget-conscious commuters and premium buyers. Retail registration data from EVIndia.online shows TVS Motor at 48,875 units for August 2026, slightly down from 52,130 in July but still the highest among all brands.
Hero Vida and Ather Rizta Cross Key Milestones
Hero Vida more than doubled its volume to 25,558 units, a 108 percent increase over 12,273 units last year. The brand benefits from Hero MotoCorp's vast service network and transparent battery ownership model, making it a popular choice for family commuters. Vida's August retail registrations stood at 18,978 units per EVIndia.online.
Ather Rizta, the company's family-focused scooter, sold 22,586 units with 30 percent growth. Ather's total listed volume reached 29,694 units when combining the Rizta, 450 (6,891 units), and the new Konarc (217 units). Rizta alone contributes roughly 76 percent of Ather's listed sales. The company is preparing to unveil its first product on a new cost-efficient platform at its Community Day on August 29, 2026, aiming to capture larger volume segments.
Emerging Players Show Strong Percentage Gains
River Indie posted 6,567 units, a 195 percent surge from 2,229 units a year ago. The startup has carved a niche with its bold design, utility focus, and differentiated positioning. Early VAHAN data for the first half of August showed River at around 2,271 registrations, suggesting a monthly run rate of 4,500 to 5,000 units.
Greaves Electric Mobility recorded a combined 12,439 units across its three models. Magnus led with 9,772 units (98 percent growth), Reo grew 272 percent to 1,911 units, and Nexus added 756 units (107 percent growth). The company also launched the Magnus G Max with a claimed 142 km IDC range at Rs 1.10 lakh and the feature-rich Nexus EX+ at Rs 1.30 lakh.
Honda's QC1 debuted with 1,902 units, while the Activa E rose from a tiny base of 20 units to 140 units (600 percent growth). Suzuki e-Access registered 668 units and Yamaha EC06 recorded 475 units, both appearing in the data for the first time.
Ola Electric Faces Continued Pressure
Ola Electric, once the market leader, registered 13,849 retail units in August 2026 per EVIndia.online, a modest 5.6 percent month-on-month recovery from July. First-half VAHAN data showed approximately 4,525 registrations, projecting a monthly total of 9,000 to 10,000 units. The brand has launched the S1 Z at Rs 79,999 with LFP battery technology to target the mass market, but dealership checks suggest the transition to an offline retail model is still work in progress.
Policy Tailwind: PM E-Drive Subsidy Extended to 2028
A major structural support for the market is the government's decision to extend the PM E-Drive subsidy scheme to 2028. This provides two years of policy certainty, removing the risk of sudden price hikes or subsidy cliffs. Industry observers note that this regulatory clarity makes the current festive season an optimal window for buyers to switch to electric mobility.
FAQs
What was the total electric two-wheeler sales volume in August 2026?
The listed electric two-wheeler models sold a combined 1,87,214 units in August 2026, up from 76,118 units in August 2025, representing 146 percent year-on-year growth.
Which electric scooter model sold the most in August 2026?
Bajaj Chetak was the top-selling model with 52,248 units, growing 273 percent year-on-year and capturing 27.9 percent of the listed market volume.
How did TVS Motor perform compared to Bajaj Auto?
TVS Motor led the manufacturer tally with 57,523 units from its iQube and Orbiter models combined, ahead of Bajaj's 52,248 units from the Chetak alone.
What is the PM E-Drive subsidy extension and why does it matter?
The central government has officially extended the PM E-Drive subsidy scheme to 2028. This gives buyers price certainty and continued financial incentives for the next two years, encouraging more consumers to switch from petrol to electric scooters.
Which new models contributed to the sales growth?
TVS Orbiter (14,641 units), Ather 450 (6,891 units), Ather Konarc (217 units), Honda QC1 (1,902 units), Suzuki e-Access (668 units), and Yamaha EC06 (475 units) all appeared in the August 2026 data for the first time, adding fresh volume to the market.