PM E-DRIVE e-2W adoption nears 10%; target now 45.79 lakh

Electric two-wheelers accounted for 9.9% of India’s two-wheeler sales in April–August of FY2026-27, according to data presented at a PM E-DRIVE industry dialogue on 25 Sep 2026. The government-backed scheme now has an expanded support target of 45.79 lakh electric two-wheelers and runs through 31 Mar 2028, giving buyers and manufacturers a longer policy window while charging access remains the practical constraint.

For Indian riders, the number is a sales-share measure, not a claim that 9.9% of all two-wheelers already on the road are electric. It is also a reminder to separate the scheme’s headline target from the questions that decide day-to-day ownership: model eligibility, charging availability, route length and the vehicle’s total running cost.

Key takeaways

Electric two-wheelers reached a reported 9.9% share of two-wheeler sales in April–August FY2026-27.
More than 25 lakh electric two-wheelers had been recorded under PM E-DRIVE through Vahan-linked data as of 19 Sep 2026, according to NDTV’s report on the industry presentation.
The official PM E-DRIVE portal lists support for up to 45,79,120 electric two-wheelers, backed by a ₹2,767 crore allocation.
The wider scheme has an ₹11,900 crore outlay, including ₹2,000 crore earmarked for public charging infrastructure.

Two unbranded electric scooters charging beside an urban Indian road at dusk

Representational editorial illustration of electric two-wheelers using public charging infrastructure. Credit: FuelPrice/AI-generated; not an official PM E-DRIVE photograph.

What happened at the PM E-DRIVE dialogue

The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) held a PM E-DRIVE dialogue with industry participants at Manesar on 25 Sep. A Ministry of Heavy Industries release said the event brought together government officials, automotive companies, testing agencies and other stakeholders to discuss clean and self-reliant mobility. The same event also marked ICAT’s 20 years of automotive testing and certification work.

The adoption figures were reported from a presentation by IFCI executive Suneet Shukla at the dialogue. NDTV reported that electric two-wheeler penetration rose from 1.9% in FY2021-22 to 6.6% in FY2025-26, before reaching 9.9% in the first five months of FY2026-27. The comparison is useful because it measures the changing mix of new sales, rather than the total vehicle population.

How large is the current PM E-DRIVE target?

The Ministry’s live PM E-DRIVE portal lists a maximum support quantity of 45,79,120 electric two-wheelers and a ₹2,767 crore allocation for that segment. The scheme’s overall outlay is ₹11,900 crore, covering electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, buses, public charging infrastructure and testing-agency upgrades.

NDTV’s report on the 25 Sep presentation said more than 25 lakh electric two-wheelers had been recorded under the scheme through Vahan-linked data as of 19 Sep 2026. That leaves the headline target as a programme capacity figure, not a promise that every future purchase will receive an identical benefit. Eligibility, approved models and the remaining allocation are the details a buyer needs to confirm at the time of purchase.

Charging is the next test for EV growth

The scheme assigns ₹2,000 crore to public EV charging infrastructure. That matters because rising electric two-wheeler sales can create a more immediate need for dependable charging in apartment areas, workplaces, markets and inter-city corridors. A larger vehicle target without usable charging can shift the ownership problem from fuel expense to planning and waiting time.

The official sales dashboard, marked as on 25 Sep 2026, displayed an aggregate estimate of 31,29,660 litres of fuel saved per day and 38,52,137 kg of carbon-dioxide reduction per day. The portal also notes that the underlying Vahan table is as of 23 Sep and does not include data from some Lakshadweep RTOs, so these figures should be read as dashboard indicators rather than a separate nationwide audit.

For a rider considering an electric scooter, the relevant check is whether charging exists where the vehicle will actually be used. FuelPrice’s state-wise EV charging directory can help with the infrastructure question, while the road-trip planner is useful for thinking through route length and stops. Neither tool replaces the model’s official range, warranty or charging specifications.

What buyers and fleet operators should watch

The 9.9% sales share suggests that electric two-wheelers are moving beyond an early niche in at least part of the market, but it does not settle whether adoption will remain at that level through the festive buying season or after incentive support becomes less central to the purchase decision. Manufacturers will need to keep expanding model choice and service coverage, while charging providers and public agencies will need to turn approved infrastructure into working points.

Fleet operators face a similar distinction. A higher EV share can make electrification more visible in delivery and last-mile use, but utilisation depends on charging downtime, payload, route pattern and access to service support. Those operating factors matter more than the national penetration figure alone. Readers tracking the broader picture can also see our earlier report on India’s EV registrations and uneven state readiness.

FuelPrice reader takeaway

PM E-DRIVE’s latest data shows a policy-supported market scaling up, with electric two-wheelers nearing a tenth of new two-wheeler sales and a larger support ceiling ahead. The practical takeaway is to treat the policy as one input in an ownership calculation: confirm the eligible model and current benefit, map real charging access, and compare the vehicle’s range and running pattern with the trips it must cover.