Eligibility Check

Which electric scooters actually qualify for the PM E-DRIVE subsidy?

We ran all 41 electric scooters in our database against the scheme rules. 4 get nothing at all, 3 get less than the full amount, and the rest all get exactly the same ₹5,000.

✍️ ScooterWale Editorial
📅 Verified 24 August 2026
⏱ 7 min read

💡 The short answer

PM E-DRIVE pays ₹2,500 per kWh, capped at ₹5,000, only on scooters with an ex-factory price at or below ₹1.5 lakh. Because the cap is reached at a 2 kWh battery, 34 of our 41 models receive exactly ₹5,000, 3 receive less because their packs are small, and 4 receive nothing because they are too expensive.

The four scooters that get nothing

These are all popular, well-reviewed machines. None of them qualifies, because all four sit above the ₹1.5 lakh ex-factory ceiling.

ModelEx-showroomApprox ex-factorySubsidy
Ather Energy 450 Apex 3.7 kWh₹1,84,999~₹1,76,190Nothing
Ola Electric S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh₹1,74,999~₹1,66,666Nothing
TVS Motor iQube ST 5.3 kWh₹1,69,000~₹1,60,952Nothing
Ather Energy 450X 3.7 kWh₹1,57,999~₹1,50,475Nothing

If a dealer quotes you a PM E-DRIVE subsidy on any of these, they are either describing their own discount or they are wrong. Ask to see the deduction as a line item on the invoice.

Four more are sitting right on the cliff edge

These models are within about ₹8,000 of the ex-factory ceiling. A modest price rise pushes any of them out of the scheme, and the subsidy would disappear from the date of the price change.

ModelApprox ex-factoryHeadroom before ineligible
Ather Energy Rizta Z 3.7 kWh~₹1,44,760~₹5,240
Okinawa Okhi-90 2.8 kWh~₹1,42,857~₹7,143
Ola Electric S1 Pro 4 kWh~₹1,42,856~₹7,144
TVS Motor iQube ST 3.5 kWh~₹1,42,848~₹7,152

Three get less than ₹5,000

The per-kWh rate only bites below a 2 kWh pack. These three are the models where battery size, not price, limits the subsidy.

ModelBatteryCalculationSubsidy
Ampere Reo 1.3 kWh1.3 kWh1.3 kWh × ₹2,500₹3,250
Okinawa R30 0.8 kWh0.8 kWh0.8 kWh × ₹2,500₹2,000
Okinawa Lite 1.2 kWh1.2 kWh1.2 kWh × ₹2,500₹3,000

🧮 Why battery size mostly does not matter

At ₹2,500 per kWh, a 2 kWh battery already produces ₹5,000, which is the cap. Every scooter above 2 kWh therefore receives the identical ₹5,000. A 5.2 kWh Ola S1 Pro+ would receive the same as a 2 kWh Ola S1 X, if the Pro+ were eligible at all. The per-kWh framing that dealers and manufacturers use makes the scheme sound more generous on large batteries than it is.

Every model, checked

All 41 scooters in our database, sorted cheapest first, with the central subsidy each one attracts. State subsidies come on top and are covered in the main subsidy guide.

ModelEx-showroomApprox ex-factoryBatteryCentral subsidy
Ampere Reo 1.3 kWh ₹59,900 ~₹57,048 1.3 kWh ₹3,250
Okinawa R30 0.8 kWh ₹61,998 ~₹59,046 0.8 kWh ₹2,000
Bounce Infinity Infinity E1 2.0 kWh ₹68,999 ~₹65,713 2.0 kWh ₹5,000
Okinawa Lite 1.2 kWh ₹69,090 ~₹65,800 1.2 kWh ₹3,000
Ampere Magnus Neo 2.3 kWh ₹79,999 ~₹76,190 2.3 kWh ₹5,000
Pure EV EPluto 7G 2.0 kWh ₹79,999 ~₹76,190 2.0 kWh ₹5,000
Bounce Infinity Infinity E1 Plus 2.5 kWh ₹85,000 ~₹80,952 2.5 kWh ₹5,000
Ola Electric S1 X 2 kWh ₹89,999 ~₹85,713 2 kWh ₹5,000
Okinawa iPraise+ 2.2 kWh ₹89,999 ~₹85,713 2.2 kWh ₹5,000
Bajaj Chetak Chetak C2501 2.5 kWh ₹91,399 ~₹87,047 2.5 kWh ₹5,000
Ampere Magnus G Max 3.0 kWh ₹94,999 ~₹90,475 3.0 kWh ₹5,000
Bgauss C12i 2.0 kWh ₹97,950 ~₹93,286 2.0 kWh ₹5,000
Hero Vida VX2 Go 2.2 kWh ₹99,490 ~₹94,752 2.2 kWh ₹5,000
Bajaj Chetak Chetak 3001 3.0 kWh ₹99,990 ~₹95,229 3.0 kWh ₹5,000
Okinawa Ridge+ 2.8 kWh ₹1,06,990 ~₹1,01,895 2.8 kWh ₹5,000
Ola Electric S1 X 3 kWh ₹1,07,999 ~₹1,02,856 3 kWh ₹5,000
TVS Motor iQube 2.2 kWh ₹1,09,319 ~₹1,04,113 2.2 kWh ₹5,000
Pure EV ETrance+ 4.5 kWh ₹1,10,000 ~₹1,04,762 4.5 kWh ₹5,000
Ather Energy Rizta S 2.9 kWh ₹1,12,499 ~₹1,07,142 2.9 kWh ₹5,000
Bgauss D15i 3.0 kWh ₹1,14,500 ~₹1,09,048 3.0 kWh ₹5,000
Bajaj Chetak Chetak 3501 3.5 kWh ₹1,14,611 ~₹1,09,153 3.5 kWh ₹5,000
Ampere Nexus EX 3 kWh ₹1,19,900 ~₹1,14,190 3 kWh ₹5,000
Hero Vida VX2 Plus 3.4 kWh ₹1,20,440 ~₹1,14,705 3.4 kWh ₹5,000
Ather Energy 450S 2.9 kWh ₹1,20,841 ~₹1,15,087 2.9 kWh ₹5,000
Bgauss RUV 350i 3.0 kWh ₹1,24,900 ~₹1,18,952 3.0 kWh ₹5,000
Ola Electric S1 X+ 4 kWh ₹1,24,999 ~₹1,19,047 4 kWh ₹5,000
Bajaj Chetak Chetak 3502 3.5 kWh ₹1,27,626 ~₹1,21,549 3.5 kWh ₹5,000
TVS Motor iQube S 3.5 kWh ₹1,27,990 ~₹1,21,895 3.5 kWh ₹5,000
Hero Vida V2 Pro 3.94 kWh ₹1,29,566 ~₹1,23,396 3.94 kWh ₹5,000
Ampere Nexus ST 3 kWh ₹1,29,900 ~₹1,23,714 3 kWh ₹5,000
Ola Electric S1 Pro 3 kWh ₹1,29,999 ~₹1,23,809 3 kWh ₹5,000
Pure EV Etron Plus 3.0 kWh ₹1,29,999 ~₹1,23,809 3.0 kWh ₹5,000
Bajaj Chetak Chetak 3503 3.5 kWh ₹1,39,603 ~₹1,32,955 3.5 kWh ₹5,000
TVS Motor iQube ST 3.5 kWh ₹1,49,990 ~₹1,42,848 3.5 kWh ₹5,000
Ola Electric S1 Pro 4 kWh ₹1,49,999 ~₹1,42,856 4 kWh ₹5,000
Okinawa Okhi-90 2.8 kWh ₹1,50,000 ~₹1,42,857 2.8 kWh ₹5,000
Ather Energy Rizta Z 3.7 kWh ₹1,51,998 ~₹1,44,760 3.7 kWh ₹5,000
Ather Energy 450X 3.7 kWh ₹1,57,999 ~₹1,50,475 3.7 kWh Nothing
TVS Motor iQube ST 5.3 kWh ₹1,69,000 ~₹1,60,952 5.3 kWh Nothing
Ola Electric S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh ₹1,74,999 ~₹1,66,666 5.2 kWh Nothing
Ather Energy 450 Apex 3.7 kWh ₹1,84,999 ~₹1,76,190 3.7 kWh Nothing

⚠️ How we calculate ex-factory, and why it is an estimate

The ₹1.5 lakh eligibility test uses ex-factory price, which manufacturers do not publish. We derive it from ex-showroom price by removing the 5% GST that applies to electric vehicles. Real ex-factory also excludes dealer margin, so true figures are a little lower than ours and the models we show near the line may in fact clear it comfortably. Treat this table as a strong guide, and confirm the ex-factory figure on your invoice before assuming a subsidy. Where a model's status is genuinely borderline, ask the dealer to show you its Ministry of Heavy Industries empanelment.

The other eligibility conditions

Price is the rule that excludes the most models, but it is not the only one. To qualify a scooter must also:

  • Be fitted with an advanced battery as defined by the scheme
  • Come from a manufacturer empanelled with the Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • Be sold through a dealer registered on the PM E-DRIVE and VAHAN portals
  • Be registered in India, privately or corporately owned, both of which are eligible

The subsidy is also limited to one two-wheeler claim per Aadhaar, and you must apply within 30 days of your RC being generated. Full process on the how to claim page.

Common questions

How much PM E-DRIVE subsidy do I get on an electric scooter?

₹5,000, if your scooter has a battery of 2 kWh or larger and an ex-factory price at or below ₹1.5 lakh. Below 2 kWh you get ₹2,500 per kWh. Above ₹1.5 lakh ex-factory you get nothing.

Why does the Ather 450X get no subsidy?

Its ex-factory price is above the ₹1.5 lakh scheme ceiling. The same applies to the Ather 450 Apex, the Ola S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh and the TVS iQube ST 5.3 kWh. PM E-DRIVE is designed for mass-market adoption, so the premium segment is deliberately excluded.

Does a bigger battery get a bigger subsidy?

No. The ₹5,000 cap is reached at 2 kWh, so every eligible scooter above that gets the same amount.

Which is the cheapest scooter that gets the full ₹5,000?

The Bounce Infinity Infinity E1 2.0 kWh at ₹68,999 ex-showroom, with a 2.0 kWh pack.