Indian EV Sales Update: Ola Reclaims Marginal Lead Over Ampere, But Legacy Giants Dominate

The Indian electric two wheeler (E2W) market remains in a state of high velocity churn as we cross the mid month mark. While the initial February data suggested a historic upset with Ampere overtaking Ola Electric, the latest registration figures show a razor thin recovery for the Bengaluru based startup. However, the broader narrative remains unchanged: Legacy manufacturers TVS and Bajaj are now the undisputed kings of the electric transition.

Mid-February 2026 EV Sales Standings (Updated)

Brand-Wise Analysis: Trust vs. Tech

1. TVS Motor (15,682 units)

TVS continues its 2026 "dream run." With over 15,000 units sold in just the first half of February, the iQube and the new Orbiter models have solidified TVS as the "safe" brand. Their 28% market share is a direct result of having the most extensive service network in the country, proving that for the Indian family, reliability beats 0-40 km/h sprint times every day.

2. Bajaj Auto (12,167 units)

The Chetak 2501 has been a masterstroke. By pricing it aggressively to take on entry level models, Bajaj has bridged the gap between premium build quality and affordability. Their "solid metal body" marketing continues to peel away customers from "plastic heavy" competitors.

3. Ather Energy (9,697 units)

Ather remains the exception to the "startup slump." With the Rizta family scooter now accounting for the majority of their volume, Ather has successfully transitioned from a niche enthusiast brand to a mass market powerhouse. They are currently the only startup successfully keeping pace with the legacy giants.

4. Vida by Hero (5,856 units)

Hero MotoCorp’s EV arm is benefiting from the massive reach of its parent company. Their "worry free" ownership packages and the expansion of the VX2 lineup are capturing the cautious buyer who wants the security of a Hero backed product.

5. Ola Electric (2,252 units)

Ola has managed to barely edge past Ampere in the latest tally, but the victory is bittersweet. Once commanding nearly 40% of the market, Ola now sits at a distant 5th place with roughly 6% share. Despite CEO Bhavish Aggarwal’s "Hyper-Service" campaign aimed at halving service backlogs, the brand continues to struggle with consumer trust and a 55% YoY revenue decline reported in Q3 FY26.

6. Ampere (2,231 units)

Trailing Ola by a mere 21 units, Ampere remains the "Giant Killer." Their focus on functional, durable scooters like the Nexus has made them the default choice for buyers who are wary of the software glitches and service delays plaguing high tech competitors.

The Verdict: Service is the New Sales Engine

The February 2026 data confirms a fundamental shift in buyer psychology. The era of "hype led" EV adoption is over; we are now in the era of Reliability and After-Sales.

As legacy players like TVS and Bajaj now control over 60% of the market, the road ahead for startups like Ola is steep. While Ola is pivoting toward a leaner operating model and vertical integration (Giga factory), the immediate challenge remains on the ground: fixing the customer experience. Unless the "service crisis" is fully resolved, the marginal lead over Ampere may not last through the end of the month.