World EV Day 2024: Top 10 Make-in-India electric two-wheeler brands

World EV Day 2024: Founded in August 2020 by IIT and IIM alumni Madhumita Agrawal and Dinkar Agrawal and headquartered in Bengaluru, Oben Electric is an R&D-driven electric motorcycle startup that has rapidly emerged as a key player in India’s EV landscape. The company is distinguished by its in-house design, development, and manufacturing of electric motorcycles and critical EV components, driven by a team of passionate technologists with over 25 years of collective experience in the industry.

Oben Electric is pioneering the use of advanced battery chemistries such as LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) in electric two-wheelers, setting new benchmarks for safety, longevity, and environmental impact. The company holds over 25 patents for its proprietary technology and EV components, underscoring its innovative edge. Oben’s flagship performance motorcycle, the Oben Rorr, is a testament to its commitment to excellence. Competing with traditional 150cc ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) bikes, the Rorr features LFP cell technology, offering a certified range of 187 km (IDC), double the battery life, and 50% greater heat resistance compared to conventional options. The Rorr accelerates from 0 to 40 kmph in just 3 seconds and has a top speed of 100 kmph, making it a formidable contender in the market.

World EV Day 2024: Ather Energy, founded in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, is a trailblazer in the Indian electric two-wheeler industry. Headquartered in Bangalore, Ather Energy has carved a niche for itself with its range of electric scooters, including the Ather 450 Apex, Ather 450S, Ather 450X, Ather 450X Pro, and Ather Rizta. These models are known for their innovative design, advanced features, and robust performance. Ather operates two manufacturing facilities, one in Whitefield, Bangalore, and another in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, allowing it to meet the growing demand for EVs in India.

Ather Energy is currently India's third-largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer, following Ola Electric. The company operates around 140 experience centres in 96 cities across India, providing customers with a hands-on experience of its electric scooters. In addition to producing scooters, Ather has also established Ather Grid, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure with over 1,000 fast charging points in 80+ cities as of May 2023. This extensive charging network plays a crucial role in addressing range anxiety among EV users and promoting widespread adoption.

World EV Day 2024: Bajaj Auto Limited, a historic name in the Indian automotive sector, has embraced the electric revolution with its iconic Chetak electric scooter. Established in 1945 and headquartered in Pune, Bajaj Auto is known for its legacy of producing motorcycles, scooters, and auto rickshaws. The reintroduction of the Chetak as an electric vehicle represents a significant evolution in the company's approach to sustainable transportation.

The Chetak electric scooter, launched in January 2020, is manufactured at Bajaj Auto’s cutting-edge facility in Pune. This plant, inaugurated on the birth anniversary of the late Shri Rahul Bajaj, is designed to accommodate the growing demand for electric vehicles with an annual production capacity of up to 500,000 units. This facility reflects Bajaj Auto’s dedication to scaling up its electric vehicle offerings and contributing to the broader shift towards sustainable mobility.

World EV Day 2024: Ola Electric, a subsidiary of ANI Technologies, has quickly emerged as a formidable force in India’s electric scooter market. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Bangalore, Ola Electric has made headlines with its ambitious manufacturing capabilities and innovative products. The company's primary manufacturing plant in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, stands as one of the largest integrated electric two-wheeler manufacturing facilities in India, spanning over 400 acres.

Ola Electric’s product portfolio includes the Ola S1 series, which comprises the Ola S1 Air, Ola S1X, and Ola S1 Pro. Each model is designed to offer a combination of high performance, advanced technology, and customizable features. The company is also at the forefront of battery and cell technology innovation, holding 304 patents and 74 registered designs. Ola Electric’s market impact is reflected in its 30% market share in the electric scooter segment as of 2023. The company’s focus on innovation and extensive manufacturing capabilities positions it as a key player in the global electric mobility landscape 

World EV Day 2024: TVS Motor Company, an Indian multinational leader in the two-wheeler industry, has firmly established itself as the third-largest motorcycle manufacturer in India, with a global presence in over 80 countries. With a century-old legacy rooted in innovation and quality, TVS operates four high-tech manufacturing facilities across India and Indonesia. The company's dedication to sustainable mobility is evident in its diverse product offerings, including its robust lineup of two- and three-wheelers, which have earned it the prestigious Deming Prize for quality.

In a major move towards greener transportation, TVS Motor Company entered the electric vehicle market with the launch of the TVS iQube, making it the second mainstream two-wheeler manufacturer in India to do so. The iQube quickly gained popularity in the premium electric scooter segment, offering customers a practical, efficient, and family-friendly option. Building on its success, TVS has expanded the iQube lineup to include various models such as the iQube with 2.2kWh and 3.4kWh battery options, the iQube S with a 3.4kWh battery, and the iQube SX available with 3.4kWh and 5.1kWh batteries. These models offer a range of 75 to 150 km, effectively catering to the diverse needs of a wide customer base.

World EV Day 2024: Ultraviolette Automotive, founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan, is a Bangalore-based electric vehicle startup that has redefined high-performance electric motorcycles in India. The company was born out of a unique vision to create top-of-the-line mobility solutions driven by progressive design and energy-efficient technology. Ultraviolette's flagship models, the F77 Original, F77 Recon, and F77 Space Edition, are positioned in the performance bike market, competing with quarter liter or half-liter categories (300 to 500 CC). In this segment, Ultraviolette counts players like Kawasaki, KTM, and BMW as its competitors, showcasing its ability to challenge well-established brands with its cutting-edge electric motorcycles.

Ultraviolette's focus on sustainability and innovative technology has made it a formidable player in the EV market. The company is developing India’s first ecosystem of high-performance electric vehicles and future-ready energy infrastructure, positioning itself as a leader in the premium electric motorcycle segment. With its bold approach and commitment to excellence, Ultraviolette is setting new standards in the Indian electric two-wheeler industry, pushing the boundaries of what electric motorcycles can achieve.

World EV Day 2024: Hero MotoCorp, one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in the world, holds a dominant 46% market share in India’s two-wheeler industry. Founded by Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the company operates five manufacturing facilities in Dharuhera, Gurugram, Neemrana, Haridwar, and Halol, with a sixth greenfield plant being developed in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh. This new facility, spanning 600 acres, represents a ₹1600 crore investment and is set to bolster Hero's production capabilities. In October 2022, Hero MotoCorp entered the electric vehicle market with the Vida brand, launching two models: V1 Pro (3.94 kWh battery, 165 km range, 80 km/h top speed) and V1 Plus (3.44 kWh battery, 143 km range, 80 km/h top speed). During the April-December 2023 period, Hero sold 14,046 units of Vida, highlighting its growing presence in the EV market. Hero MotoCorp boasts over 115 million customers across 47 countries, with a legacy spanning over 40 years of trust and technology leadership.

World EV Day 2024: Simple Energy, founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar in Bengaluru, emerged with the vision to transform India’s electric two-wheeler market by offering advanced solutions that bridge the gap between consumer expectations and existing EV offerings. Rajkumar's personal quest for an electric scooter that could meet his needs for long range, fast charging, and affordability sparked the creation of Simple Energy’s flagship models. The Simple One, a high-performance scooter, boasts an impressive certified range of 212 km, powered by a 5.0 kWh battery with 8.5 kW peak power, positioning it as a competitive alternative to traditional petrol scooters. Meanwhile, the Simple Dot One, featuring a 151 km range and 3.7 kWh battery, offers versatility and value for everyday riders. With its strong emphasis on innovation, Simple Energy is dedicated to accelerating the adoption of electric mobility by delivering performance-driven products tailored for the Indian market.

World EV Day 2024: Ampere Vehicles, led by founder and CEO Hemalatha Annamalai, is an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Coimbatore, India. Initially producing electric scooters with lead-acid batteries, the company transitioned to lithium-ion technology in 2018 after a strategic investment by Greaves Cotton. With a legacy built on over 160 years of Greaves' expertise, Ampere has become a key player in India’s electric mobility space. Ampere’s latest model, the NXG, is the flagship of its lineup, which also includes the Magnus EX, Primus, Reo Li Plus, and Zeal EX. In 2022-23, Ampere sold 87,392 units of electric vehicles, positioning itself as one of the top-selling electric two-wheeler brands in India. The company emphasizes performance, comfort, and eco-friendly rides, with over 1.4 million tons of CO2 emissions saved.

World EV Day 2024: Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Pune, Kinetic Green is a leading player in the electric vehicle sector, known for its wide range of electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and electric golf carts. Spearheaded by Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the company has partnered with Tonino Lamborghini to produce electric golf carts and buggies, marking its presence in the luxury EV market. Kinetic Green has been a pioneer in introducing ARAI-approved electric three-wheelers and was the first in India to offer Lithium-ion battery technology in this segment. The company’s two-wheeler range includes the E Luna X2, with a 110 km range and a top speed of 50 km/h, as well as other popular models like Zoom, Flex, and Zing. Kinetic Green is committed to sustainability with a pledge to plant 1 crore trees across India as part of its CSR initiative and aims to become a “Net Zero” company, aligning its business with green mobility solutions for the masses.