InsightEV Weekender: Week 29
Stark reports outstanding financials, SOL is alive and ready for launch, Energica finds a spark, Ola continues to bleed heavily, and Honda's strategy may not be working in India
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Honda Needs to Course Correct in India
It is still the market leader by far in the ICE scooter space, even with products that are outmatched by the competition. However, it is the electric scooter segment where Honda is lagging and may have gotten its pricing strategy wrong.
Ola Electric Q1 FY 2026 Financials
The company paints a positive picture, and there is a big improvement from last quarter, but the financials have deteriorated on a year-on-year basis. Also, the results open up some questions.
InsightEV Weekender: Week 28
The practical, entry-level, cost-sensible electric motorcycle with removable battery packs takes center stage this week as Honda plans to disrupt important markets like India with the Shine EV. Meanwhile, Livewire throws us two good-looking concepts for upcoming motorcycles.
Yadea and the New Chinese
China, the world's factory, has a convoluted outlook on IPs. You can buy similar-looking products from different factories, at different quality grades, and at different price points. Now, some factories, notably Yadea, the sales leader, want to be brands. That's worrying for everyone else.
Niu Q2 Numbers: China Delivers; International Falters
Niu released its Q2 2025 sales numbers and there is a near 37% increase in sales. However, the numbers are driven by China even as the sales numbers in the international markets remained depressed.
The Perfect Motorcycle?
We are in good times. After years of promises and numerous vaporware, this is now an era where multiple startups are ready with competent electric street-sports motorcycles. Soon, every dominant two-wheeler geography would have multiple options to choose from.
What will give you an Edge?
With E2W tech getting commoditised and a funding winter across the globe for manufacturers, we are in tough times where new entrants need to find an edge, fast.
India: Pecking Order Stabilises
In June, TVS stays the market leader in sales, followed by Bajaj Auto, with Ola Electric, Ather Energy, Hero-Vida, and Greaves-Ampere bringing up the next four slots. The pecking order has stabilised in a market that is beginning to strengthen amidst a quest for profitability.
Where is the E2W Tesla?
Electric mobility for the masses would be driven by two-wheelers. The real success of the E2W revolution would be if it managed to create a Tesla-scale global success story in two-wheelers. Unfortunately, even the most significant players are regional and small. Would that change?
Vmoto-Uber Tie-up
Vmoto has been executing a strategic plan to spread into multiple fleet markets across the globe. As part of the plan, the company has tied up with fleet deployers in markets like Singapore, South Africa, the UK, Thailand, and Indonesia.
InsightEV Weekender: Week 25
The Infinite Machine Olto has us mesmerized; the Honda eQuad is a sign from the future; Roam has a new Air; and we launch our first syndicated research on the Indian market in July.
The Indian Market Quicksand
The Indian electric two-wheeler market is not growing. Data reveals that it has been stagnant over the last 29 months despite numerous launches and nearly every brand now having a presence. Even as more E2Ws are now visible on Indian roads, the penetration levels remain dismally low.
Should You Vertically Integrate?
When electric vehicle start-ups write their business plans, they inadvertently run into two questions. First, what should I make in-house (and what should I outsource)? Second, what level of vertical integration would make one profitable faster and provide an unassailable edge?
InsightEV Weekender: Week 22
We love the Lime Glider; TVS Consolidates Lead in Indian E2W Market; Bajaj now controls KTM; Ola Electric just reported its worst financials yet; Cooltra is on a roll
Sales and Financials
Ola Electric Q1 FY 2026 Financials
The company paints a positive picture, and there is a big improvement from last quarter, but the financials have deteriorated on a year-on-year basis. Also, the results open up some questions.
Ola Electric Q1 FY 2026 Financials
The company paints a positive picture, and there is a big improvement from last quarter, but the financials have deteriorated on a year-on-year basis. Also, the results open up some questions.
Niu Q2 Numbers: China Delivers; International Falters
Niu released its Q2 2025 sales numbers and there is a near 37% increase in sales. However, the numbers are driven by China even as the sales numbers in the international markets remained depressed.
Ola Electric Bleeds Profusely
The India-based Ola Electric, the world's most funded electric two-wheeler manufacturer, announced its Q4 and Full Year FY 2025 financial results yesterday. Every meaningful metric has dipped, the most important being a 61% drop in revenues and a -101% consolidated EBITDA margin.
Niu Q1: Sacrificing Margins for Volumes is Working for Now
Niu announced its Q1 2025 and reported a big bump in revenues, riding on a 57% jump in retail sales. gross profit also improved even though Gross Margins took a modest hit.
Ather Reverses the Trend
We are always sceptical about financials immediately after an IPO. Companies are at their best behaviour, are prudent, and the numbers are unbelievably good. In some cases, they start deteriorating right after. With that skepticism, mixed with some cynicism, we analyse Ather's latest numbers
Bajaj Will Ride KTM
India-based Bajaj Auto, the world's most profitable two-wheeler manufacturer and KTM's long-term partner, has pitched in with EUR 800m to save KTM. We look at the what, why, and what now of the deal.
Alt-Mobility Raises
India-based EV as a service company Alt-Mobility has raised an undisclosed amount from Beyond Capital Ventures.
KTM
Honda
Ola
Ather
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InsightEV Weekender: Week 29
Stark reports outstanding financials, SOL is alive and ready for launch, Energica finds a spark, Ola continues to bleed heavily, and Honda's strategy may not be working in India
Honda Needs to Course Correct in India
It is still the market leader by far in the ICE scooter space, even with products that are outmatched by the competition. However, it is the electric scooter segment where Honda is lagging and may have gotten its pricing strategy wrong.
Ola Electric Q1 FY 2026 Financials
The company paints a positive picture, and there is a big improvement from last quarter, but the financials have deteriorated on a year-on-year basis. Also, the results open up some questions.
InsightEV Weekender: Week 28
The practical, entry-level, cost-sensible electric motorcycle with removable battery packs takes center stage this week as Honda plans to disrupt important markets like India with the Shine EV. Meanwhile, Livewire throws us two good-looking concepts for upcoming motorcycles.
Yadea and the New Chinese
China, the world's factory, has a convoluted outlook on IPs. You can buy similar-looking products from different factories, at different quality grades, and at different price points. Now, some factories, notably Yadea, the sales leader, want to be brands. That's worrying for everyone else.
Niu Q2 Numbers: China Delivers; International Falters
Niu released its Q2 2025 sales numbers and there is a near 37% increase in sales. However, the numbers are driven by China even as the sales numbers in the international markets remained depressed.
The Perfect Motorcycle?
We are in good times. After years of promises and numerous vaporware, this is now an era where multiple startups are ready with competent electric street-sports motorcycles. Soon, every dominant two-wheeler geography would have multiple options to choose from.
What will give you an Edge?
With E2W tech getting commoditised and a funding winter across the globe for manufacturers, we are in tough times where new entrants need to find an edge, fast.
India: Pecking Order Stabilises
In June, TVS stays the market leader in sales, followed by Bajaj Auto, with Ola Electric, Ather Energy, Hero-Vida, and Greaves-Ampere bringing up the next four slots. The pecking order has stabilised in a market that is beginning to strengthen amidst a quest for profitability.
Where is the E2W Tesla?
Electric mobility for the masses would be driven by two-wheelers. The real success of the E2W revolution would be if it managed to create a Tesla-scale global success story in two-wheelers. Unfortunately, even the most significant players are regional and small. Would that change?
Vmoto-Uber Tie-up
Vmoto has been executing a strategic plan to spread into multiple fleet markets across the globe. As part of the plan, the company has tied up with fleet deployers in markets like Singapore, South Africa, the UK, Thailand, and Indonesia.
InsightEV Weekender: Week 25
The Infinite Machine Olto has us mesmerized; the Honda eQuad is a sign from the future; Roam has a new Air; and we launch our first syndicated research on the Indian market in July.