Even as two-wheeler EVs continue to get caught in unfortunate blazes, the numbers for the month of April for them were encouraging. Ather Energy, one of the main players in the market whose vehicles have not been involved in any of fire incidents, registered its highest ever monthly sales figure. It sold 3779 units in April, and recorded over 255% growth in comparison to the numbers of April ‘21.
The month also saw Ather Energy roll out a new OTA upgrade to offer new SmartEco mode. It also announced strategic partnerships with Statiq to enhance charging network in North India
"After a strong start to the financial year, we have registered the highest ever monthly sales figures, delivering 3779 scooters (450X and 450 Plus scooters) in April 2022 registering a growth of 255% over same month last year," the company said in a statement today.
It added that the number of deliveries is a fraction of the pre-orders due to unprecedented challenges on the supply chain side including components shortage.
Overall, electric two-wheeler registrations in India crossed the 40,000 mark for the second consecutive month, but overall numbers from the top 10 players in the sector (45,604 units) were slightly lower than in March (46,569 units).
Hero's loss is Ola's gain
Elsewhere, the hitherto market leader Hero Electric was also laid low because of supply issues. In terms of deliveries, it was a washout for Hero Electric. Its constraints helped Ola Electric to reach the top.
Ola Electric notched up its highest deliveries in a month, with 12,689 scooters registered. As per the latest VAHAN data, 12,689 units of Ola Electric's maiden scooter were registered in April – a 39% increase over Ola S1 Pro registrations in March. Okinawa Autotech recorded its best-ever month yet, delivering 11,012 e-scooters. Both Ola Electric and Okinawa, however, were embroiled in vehicle blazes incidents.
Hero Electric is at the third spot, ahead of Ampere Vehicles. Hero Electric's numbers dropped by half in April, falling to 6,571 units. Hero Electric said an acute chip shortage meant it had zero dispatches in the month, adding that waiting periods for its models are now in excess of two months and that some of its outlets don't even have display vehicles left.
Ather Energy was at fifth place, with 2,445 units of its 450 electric scooter being registered in April. Manufacturers occupying the next three spots – Pure EV (1,756 units), TVS (1,417 units) and Revolt Motors (1,239 units) – all witnessed a drop in sales compared to March. Bajaj shipped more Chetak electric scooters (1,116 units) last month than it did in March, and Benling India rounded out the top 10 with 820 scooters sold.
Notwithstanding the fire incidents, EV players are gung-ho about the market. Ather Energy, Okinawa Autotech, Hero Electric are all in the process of increasing their production numbers. Bounce has also begun the delivery of its E1 scooter. So May numbers should be interesting. It should also be said, more than 6000 two-wheeler EVs were recalled between Ola, Okinawa, and Pure in April.
