43% of Indian two-wheeler buyers consider EVs for their next purchase: Report

A new report by Boston Consulting Group revealed that 43% of Indian two-wheeler consumers are considering electric vehicles for their next purchase, signalling growing acceptance of electric mobility.India’s electric two-wheeler market is gaining momentum, with 43% of consumers considering an EV for their next purchase.New Delhi,Oct 27, 2026 13:27 ISTNearly 43 per cent of Indian two-wheeler consumers are actively considering an electric two-wheeler (E2W) for their next purchase, up from 30 per cent in 2024, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Titled Electric in Charge: How India’s Electric Two-Wheelers Are Moving into the Mainstream, the report highlights growing consumer acceptance of electric mobility, driven by improving perceptions of performance, design and brand trust.India’s two-wheeler market recorded sales of approximately 22.19 million units in FY26, retaining its position as the world’s largest two-wheeler market. According to BCG, overall two-wheeler sales grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 12 per cent between FY22 and FY26, with scooters emerging as a key driver of growth.The shift towards electric mobility is also reflected in declining consumer resistance. The share of consumers not considering an electric two-wheeler for their next purchase fell from 38 per cent in 2024 to 29 per cent in 2026. Meanwhile, those considering an EV but unlikely to adopt one in the near term accounted for 28 per cent, down from 32 per cent.Electric two-wheeler penetration risesBCG’s analysis shows that electric two-wheeler penetration nearly doubled from 5.5 per cent in FY24 to 9.9 per cent in FY27 year-to-date, based on sales data up to August 2026. Electric scooters recorded stronger adoption, with penetration increasing from 16.8 per cent to 24.1 per cent over the same period. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), electric two-wheeler penetration stood at 11.58 per cent in September 2026, indicating continued growth in the segment. BCG estimates that around 180,000 new consumers entered the electric two-wheeler market every month during FY27 up to August 2026.Performance and design improve consumer confidenceThe report identifies improving consumer perceptions as a key factor behind rising EV consideration. Among consumers in the ‘Convenience Above All’ segment, the share associating electric two-wheelers with good aesthetics increased from 30 per cent in 2024 to 59 per cent in 2026. Perceptions of good pickup improved from 27 per cent to 48 per cent, while the share associating E2Ws with a trusted or popular brand rose from 28 per cent to 46 per cent. BCG notes that some leading electric two-wheelers can accelerate from 0 to 40kmph in 2.7 seconds, challenging earlier assumptions about their performance compared with petrol-powered scooters.Actual ownership experience is also proving more positive than consumer perceptions across several attributes, including running costs, maintenance costs, comfort, storage, manoeuvrability and digital features. However, safety, performance, ease of service and battery range remain areas where manufacturers can improve consumer confidence. Concerns about vehicle longevity compared with internal combustion engine (ICE) two-wheelers also persist.Changing mobility needs to create new opportunitiesBased on research involving 1,600 current and prospective two-wheeler consumers, BCG identifies 10 distinct demand spaces shaped by travel purpose, distance and usage patterns rather than conventional demographic categories alone.Two new segments have emerged since 2024. ‘Trip Maximizers’ comprises full-time quick-commerce and food-delivery riders who prioritise affordability, speed and manoeuvrability. ‘Reliable yet Refined’ includes non-metro Gen Z commuters seeking dependable vehicles suited to poor roads and long-distance travel without compromising on styling.BCG estimates that India’s quick-commerce market grew at a CAGR of 120 per cent between 2022 and 2025, expanding from approximately US$0.75 billion to US$8 billion. The report also states that around 60 per cent of young semi-urban consumers are digitally influenced when purchasing a personal vehicle, twice the level recorded in 2020.BCG recommends that manufacturers tailor products and marketing to specific mobility needs while strengthening servicing, battery and warranty assurance, and resale support. With nearly half of consumers actively considering electric two-wheelers, converting this interest into actual purchases will depend on addressing concerns around range, reliability and long-term ownership.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine - Ends