Electric scooter to buy in India this year 2026

If you're buying an electric scooter in India in **2026**, these are the models that stand out for reliability, performance, and ownership experience: ### Best overall: TVS iQube - **Best for:** Daily commuting and family use - **Real-world range:** ~90–130 km (variant-dependent) - **Pros:** - Excellent ride comfort - Wide service network - Proven reliability - Good resale value - **Price:** Around ₹1.0–1.3 lakh (variant-dependent). ### Best premium: Ather 450X - **Best for:** Riders who enjoy sporty performance - Fast acceleration - Great software and navigation - Frequent OTA updates - Charging network continues to expand. ### Best family scooter: Ather Rizta - Large, comfortable seat - Spacious under-seat storage - Smooth ride quality - Ideal for city commuting with a pillion. ### Best traditional choice: Bajaj Chetak - Premium metal body - Excellent build quality - Reliable after-sales support - Refined riding experience. ### Best tech and long range: Ola S1 Pro - One of the longest claimed ranges - Powerful performance - Feature-rich dashboard - Software and service have improved, but it's still worth checking local service quality before buying. ## My recommendations by budget - **Under ₹1 lakh:** Vida VX2 - **₹1–1.3 lakh:** TVS iQube or Bajaj Chetak - **₹1.3–1.6 lakh:** Ather 450X - **Maximum performance:** Ola S1 Pro If you tell me: - your **budget** (e.g. ₹80k, ₹1 lakh, ₹1.5 lakh), - your **city**, - and your **daily riding distance**, I can narrow it down to the 2–3 best scooters for your specific needs.

The electric scooter market in India has matured significantly, shifting focus toward better real-world range, robust build quality, and reliable after-sales service networks. Depending on what you prioritize—family utility, tech performance, or solid reliability—here are the top electric scooters to buy in India right now: --- ## 1. The Family All-Rounders (Practicality & Comfort) ### Ather Rizta Ather moved away from its strictly sporty roots to create a massive, family-oriented scooter. * **Key Highlights:** It features one of the largest seats and boot spaces in the segment, making it incredibly practical for daily grocery runs or riding with a pillion. * **Real-world Range:** ~105–125 km (depending on the battery pack variant). * **Price Range:** ~₹1.15 Lakh – ₹1.45 Lakh (Ex-showroom). ### TVS iQube / iQube ST The iQube is one of the top-selling EVs in the country because it feels just like a traditional petrol scooter but runs on electricity. * **Key Highlights:** Super smooth power delivery, comfortable suspension, and backed by TVS’s massive traditional dealer and service network. The premium ST variant bumps up the battery capacity significantly. * **Real-world Range:** ~75 km (base) to over 150 km (ST variant). * **Price Range:** ~₹1.15 Lakh – ₹1.70 Lakh (Ex-showroom). --- ## 2. The Reliable Commuters (Build Quality & Trust) ### Bajaj Chetak (Premium / Urbane / C2501) If you want something that can survive the rough and tumble of daily Indian traffic without rattling, the Chetak is your best bet. * **Key Highlights:** It features a solid **metal body** instead of plastic panels. It has excellent fit and finish, iconic retro-modern styling, and a highly reliable powertrain. * **Real-world Range:** ~90–115 km. * **Price Range:** ~₹1.10 Lakh – ₹1.40 Lakh (Ex-showroom). ### Honda Activa e Honda’s big entry into the electric segment leverages the most trusted name in Indian scootering. * **Key Highlights:** It utilizes **swappable battery packs** (Honda Mobile Power Packs). Instead of waiting hours to charge at home, you can easily swap batteries at designated Honda swapping stations. * **Real-world Range:** ~102 km. * **Price Range:** ~₹1.19 Lakh – ₹1.50 Lakh (Ex-showroom). --- ## 3. The Performance & Tech Leaders (Speed & Features) ### Ola S1 Pro / S1 X Ola continues to dominate overall sales charts by offering maximum features and top speeds for the price. * **Key Highlights:** Features a massive tech suite (touchscreen, navigation, cruise control, proximity unlock) and blistering acceleration. The budget-friendly **S1 X** series strips out the tech gimmicks to offer raw range at a much lower price point. * **Real-world Range:** ~130–150 km (S1 Pro); up to 190+ km on higher-end S1 X variants. * **Price Range:** ~₹85,000 (S1 X base) to ₹1.30 Lakh+ (S1 Pro). ### Ather 450X The enthusiast's favorite choice for sharp handling and aggressive performance. * **Key Highlights:** Incredible handling, Google Maps dashboard integration, and access to the fast-charging Ather Grid network. It is widely praised for having the most stable software experience on the market. * **Real-world Range:** ~90–110 km. * **Price Range:** ~₹1.40 Lakh – ₹1.60 Lakh (Ex-showroom). --- ## Quick Buying Guide Summary | If your priority is... | Best Choice | Why? | |:--- |:--- |:--- | | **Utmost Reliability & Service** | **TVS iQube** or **Bajaj Chetak** | Backed by legacy brands with massive, reliable service footprints. | | **Big Storage & Family Comfort** | **Ather Rizta** | Designed specifically for space, safety features, and comfort. | | **High Tech & Raw Speed** | **Ola S1 Pro** or **Ather 450X** | Best-in-class acceleration, software features, and high top speeds. | | **No Charging Wait Times** | **Honda Activa e** | Ideal if you live in a city with Honda's battery-swapping infrastructure. | > 💡 **Tip:** Before finalizing, check what incentives are currently active under the government's **PM E-DRIVE** scheme in your specific state, as this can drop the on-road price significantly! What is your daily running requirement, and are you looking for a family scooter or something sporty?

The **best electric scooters to buy in India this year (2026)** depend heavily on whether you prioritize family utility, high tech performance, or proven brand reliability. The Indian electric two-wheeler market has seen major shifts, with legacy auto giants like and experiencing explosive, record-breaking sales growth alongside premium startup offerings. Best for Practicality and Families (Top Sellers) According to real-world registration and market trends tracked by automotive platforms like, family-centric models with massive boot spaces and reliable service networks are currently dominating the market. - **Ather Rizta**: Specifically engineered as a comfortable family alternative to traditional petrol scooters, it boasts one of the largest single-piece seats and substantial under-seat storage. - *Range*: 123 km to 159 km depending on the battery size (2.9 kWh or 3.7 kWh). - *Top Speed*: 80 km/h. - **TVS iQube ST**: Emerging as one of India's absolute top-selling EV options due to its highly trusted conventional build quality, predictable handling, and robust dealer network. - *Range*: Up to 212 km for the flagship 5.3 kWh variant. - *Top Speed*: 82 km/h. - **Bajaj Chetak**: Known for its premium all-metal body and classic styling, it has posted near-doubling year-on-year sales spikes. - *Range*: 113 km to 153 km based on the variant. - *Top Speed*: 73 km/h. Best for Tech Enthusiasts and Performance - **Ola S1 Pro**: Continues to capture heavy market share for buyers demanding maximum outright speed, aggressive acceleration, and gadget-heavy software. - *Range*: Real-world range up to 176–242 km. - *Top Speed*: Exceeds 120 km/h with Hyper mode enabled. - **Ather 450X**: Celebrated by reviewers for its superior, sharp handling, structural rigidness, and aggressive wrap-around dashboard navigation maps. - *Range*: Certified up to 161 km. - *Top Speed*: 90 km/h. Best Utility and Unique Heavy-Loaders! **River Indie**: Coined as the "SUV of scooters," it offers massive utility with unique front pannier mounts, integrated crash guards, and a wide-set, ultra-stable footboard. - *Range*: Real-world true range around 161 km from a 4 kWh pack. - *Top Speed*: 90 km/h. New Market Entrants and Major Releases If you prefer waiting a couple of months to catch the absolute latest generational shifts, keep an eye out for these massive structural launches scheduled across the remainder of the year: - **Honda Activa e**: Expected to launch in late 2026, combining India's most trusted nameplate with Honda's proprietary swappable battery ecosystem to eliminate charging wait times entirely. - **Ather EL01**: A highly anticipated, ultra-budget entry-level model built by Ather to drop premium EV tech down into sub-₹1 Lakh pricing brackets. What are your primary requirements in terms of **daily running distance (kms)**, **budget**, and whether you have a **dedicated charging plug** at home? This can help narrow down the ideal model for you.