E-scooters report nearly double the problems of other two-wheelers in India: Study
A recent study by J.D. Power has shed light on the quality concerns plaguing electric scooters in India, revealing that they report nearly twice as many issues as their petrol-powered counterparts. As per the study, electric scooters recorded 98 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to just 53 for conventional two-wheelers.
The study, based on responses from over 6,500 new two-wheeler owners, highlighted that as riders clock more kms, the number of reported quality issues rises. Customers who had ridden their two-wheelers beyond 2,500 kms within the first six months of ownership reported an average increase of 9 PP100 (problems per 100 vehicles) compared to those with lower mileage. This trend was particularly pronounced in electric scooters, where issues with brakes, lights, electrical components, and overall fit and finish were among the most common concerns.
The study ranked Royal Enfield as the highest-scoring brand in overall initial quality with 68 PP100. In terms of specific models, Bajaj Chetak emerged as the top performer in the electric scooter segment with 45 PP100, while TVS Jupiter, Honda Dio 125, TVS Radeon, Hero Super Splendor XTEC, Honda Shine 125, and TVS Apache RTR 160 2V were rated highest in their respective ICE segments.
In 2025, the overall quality rating for two-wheelers in India stands at 86 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). The most common issues reported by owners were related to the engine (18 PP100), followed by electrical components and lighting (15 PP100) and braking systems (15 PP100).
However, customer satisfaction has improved compared to the previous year. In 2025, 58% of two-wheeler owners stated that their vehicles had fewer problems than they had expected, a significant rise from 44% in 2024. Notably, electric scooter owners showed the highest level of satisfaction in this regard, with 61% saying they encountered fewer issues than anticipated.
Top performers in initial quality study:
Among the top-performing two-wheelers in the 2025 India Two-Wheeler Initial Quality Study, TVS Jupiter led the economy scooter segment with 75 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), while Honda Dio 125 topped the executive scooter category with 50 PP100.
In the motorcycle segment, TVS Radeon ranked highest in the economy category with 54 PP100, whereas Hero Super Splendor XTEC and Honda Shine 125 jointly led the executive motorcycle category with 72 PP100. The upper executive motorcycle segment saw TVS Apache RTR 160 2V as the best performer with 53 PP100.
In the electric scooter category, Bajaj Chetak emerged as the leader with 45 PP100. Meanwhile, Royal Enfield stood out as the overall best-ranked brand, recording 68 PP100, making it the top manufacturer in terms of initial quality. The study analyzed key problem areas in petrol-powered two-wheelers, including engine performance, braking, ride quality, and electrical systems, while for electric two-wheelers, the focus was on battery performance, charging, and acceleration.
