Published by VIDA
Read Time: 2 min
Date: 22nd July 26
Shopping for an electric scooter in India? The sticker price you see advertised is almost never the amount you actually pay. That advertised figure is the ex-showroom price, and the electric scooter on-road price you settle at the dealership is always higher. The gap between these two numbers depends on your state of registration, the insurance plan you choose, and whether you can claim government subsidies. Understanding each component puts you in control of the final bill. Let us break it down.
The ex-showroom price is what the manufacturer charges for the scooter, including GST, which is 5% for electric vehicles. This rate has held steady since July 2019, when EV GST was reduced from 12% to 5%. The 56th GST Council meeting reaffirmed this concessional 5% rate for EVs.
The on-road price, however, is the total you pay to legally ride the scooter home. It adds several charges to the ex-showroom figure: road tax (if applicable in your state), registration fees, insurance premium, HSRP (green number plate), dealer handling or logistics charges, and any additional accessories you might have chosen for the vehicle. Knowing the difference between the electric scooter ex-showroom price and the on-road price helps you budget accurately and negotiate confidently.
Here are the typical line items that sit between ex-showroom and on-road price for an electric scooter:
Road tax: Varies by state. Many states currently waive it entirely for EVs.
Registration (RC) fee: Waived nationally for battery-operated vehicles under MoRTH Notification G.S.R. 525(E).
Insurance: A mandatory component. The premium depends on motor power (kW) and coverage type.
HSRP/green number plate: A nominal charge, typically ₹400 to ₹500.
Handling/logistics charges: Dealer-specific; covers PDI, documentation, and delivery.
Accessories: Optional. Applies to items such as a safety guard kit.
The good news? The major chunk of the on-road price difference compared to ex-showroom comes from the road tax paid on vehicles. In many states, the road tax on electric scooters is completely exempted. Moreover, regardless of the state, the RTO registration fees on electric scooters are completely zero.
The MoRTH registration fee waiver applies nationwide, meaning you pay ₹0 for your RC regardless of which state you register in. This central notification brought uniformity after several states had already introduced their own waivers individually.
Road tax is a state subject, so your location matters. In states such as Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Rajasthan, road tax adds ₹0 to your on-road price. In states without a full exemption, road tax is typically calculated as a percentage of the ex-showroom price, though the rates for electric two-wheelers remain low.
Insurance is the single largest addition to your on-road price. IRDAI determines third-party premium rates based on the motor's kW rating. For electric two-wheelers, the proposed third-party premium bands are:
| Motor power | Annual third-party premium |
| Up to 3 kW | ₹457 |
| 3 kW to 7 kW | ₹607 |
| 7 kW to 16 kW | ₹1,161 |
Most buyers opt for a comprehensive policy (third-party + own-damage), which increases the premium but covers theft, accidental damage, and natural calamities. For a scooter in the ₹80,000 to ₹1,20,000 ex-showroom range, expect comprehensive first-year premiums of approximately ₹3,000 to ₹5,500 depending on IDV and add-ons.
| Tips and Hacks |
To minimise the on-road price of your electric scooter, consider these practical steps:
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Let us work through a real example using the VIDA VX2 Plus registered in Delhi state with 100% road tax exemption:
| Component | Amount |
| Ex-showroom price (Delhi) | ₹1,00,290 |
| Road tax | ₹0 (100% EV exemption state) |
| Registration (RC) fee | ₹0 (MoRTH waiver) |
| HSRP / Green number plate | ~₹450 |
| Comprehensive insurance (approx.) | ~₹3,500 to ₹4,500 |
| Handling / logistics | Dealer-specific |
| Estimated on-road price | ~₹1,04,240 to ₹1,05,240 |
For a model like the VIDA V2 Pro at ₹1,20,300 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the structure is identical. The insurance premium is slightly higher due to a higher IDV, but road tax and registration remain ₹0 in exemption states. The on-road addition above ex-showroom is largely just insurance and nominal dealer charges.
All VIDA EVooters also include a 5-year/50,000 km vehicle warranty and 3-year/30,000 km battery warranty as standard, with opt-in extended coverage available up to 10 years.
Your registration state is the biggest variable in the on-road price equation for electric scooters. The states and UTs with 100% road tax exemption give you the lowest possible on-road price. Delhi is particularly favourable, offering a state-level purchase incentive for electric two-wheelers on top of the road tax and registration waivers.
However, some states are beginning to revise their exemption policies. A few have allowed blanket road tax waivers to expire, while others are narrowing exemptions to specific vehicle categories. Before finalising your purchase, verify the current policy with your local RTO. These incentives can change between the time you start researching and the time you book.
In September 2024, the FAME-II scheme ended and was replaced by the PM E-DRIVE scheme, launched on 1 October 2024 with a ₹10,900 crore budget. The demand subsidies for electric two-wheelers under PM E-DRIVE have been extended until July 31, 2026.
The current incentive structure: ₹2,500 per kWh, capped at ₹5,000 per vehicle (reduced from ₹10,000 cap before April 2025). Only scooters with an ex-factory price under ₹1.5 lakh and advanced batteries qualify.
All VIDA EVooters are priced under the ₹1.5 lakh cap, making them eligible for PM E-Drive. For VIDA VX2 models, buyers can also explore BaaS (Battery as a Service), which separates battery costs from the chassis price, further reducing upfront outlay.
The PM E-DRIVE scheme is fund-limited and will close once ₹10,900 crore is exhausted, so timing matters. As of January 27, 2026, 22.12 lakh EVs had already been sold under the scheme.
VIDA's range illustrates how on-road pricing scales across segments. In a 100% road tax exemption state, the on-road addition above ex-showroom is primarily insurance and handling:
| Model | Ex-showroom, Delhi | Approx. on-road addition |
| VIDA VX2 Go 2.2 kWh | ₹78,490 | ~₹3,500 to ₹5,000 |
| VIDA VX2 Go 3.4 kWh | ₹89,290 | ~₹3,500 to ₹5,000 |
| VIDA VX2 Plus | ₹1,00,290 | ~₹4,000 to ₹5,500 |
In states that charge road tax on EVs, add 2% to 6% of ex-showroom price to these estimates. Always request a dealer-specific quotation for your city.
Understanding every component of the electric scooter's on-road price lets you make an informed purchase rather than being surprised at the billing counter. Check your state's current EV incentives, compare insurance quotes, and time your purchase while subsidies remain active. To explore specific on-road pricing for your city, visit VIDA scooters and configure a model online.
The ex-showroom price is the manufacturer's base price inclusive of 5% GST. The on-road price adds state-specific road tax, registration fees, insurance, HSRP (green number plate), and dealer handling charges. For electric scooters, registration fees are waived nationally, and road tax is ₹0 in many states, so the gap is primarily insurance and nominal dealer charges.
Zero. Under MoRTH Notification G.S.R. 525(E), battery-operated vehicles are exempt from registration certificate fees nationwide. You still need to complete the registration process and obtain a green HSRP plate (approximately ₹400-₹500), but the RC fee is waived.
Yes, dealers include insurance in the on-road price since it is legally mandatory to ride your vehicle with valid insurance. The third-party premium for electric two-wheelers in the 3-7 kW band is ₹607 per year. Most buyers opt for comprehensive coverage, which costs more but protects against theft, accidents, and natural damage.
Yes. Register in a state with 100% road tax exemption. Purchase while PM E-DRIVE subsidies are active (currently extended until July 31, 2026). Compare insurance quotes instead of accepting the dealer's default option. For VIDA VX2 models, BaaS reduces the upfront chassis cost by separating battery payment.
Absolutely. Road tax policies are state-specific. Fourteen states and UTs offer a 100% road tax exemption, making the on-road price of electric scooters the lowest in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Dealer handling and logistics charges also vary by location.
PM E-DRIVE replaced FAME-II in October 2024 with a ₹10,900 crore budget. It offers ₹2,500 per kWh, capped at ₹5,000 per vehicle, for electric two-wheelers priced under ₹1.5 lakh ex-factory. This subsidy is applied before you pay, directly reducing the ex-showroom price and, consequently, the on-road price.
States with 100% road tax exemption plus additional purchase incentives offer the lowest on-road prices. Delhi is typically the most favourable, combining a road tax waiver, registration fee waiver, and a state-level EV purchase incentive. Verify current policies with your local RTO before purchasing, as exemptions can expire.
"Hidden" is a strong word, but handling charges, logistics fees, and accessories bundled by dealerships can surprise buyers. Always request an itemised cost sheet. Registration and road tax should be ₹0 in eligible states. Insurance is transparent if you compare quotes. VIDA dealerships provide a detailed breakdown on request, so you see exactly where every rupee goes.