Piaggio Vehicles, the Indian subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group, is set to enter India’s burgeoning mass-market EV scooter space with a new India-specific platform expected to debut in 2027.
The new platform will underpin both petrol and electric scooters and the EV scooter from Aprilia is expected to be the flagship when they enter the market in India.
The new range is targeted at the Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1.3 lakh price bracket with the upper end being reserved for more premium electric variants.
A New India-Specific Platform
Piaggio is working on a completely new India-specific platform which is being designed to cater to both ICE and EV powertrains from the outset. This is different to the approach of adapting an existing petrol scooter for electrification.
Platform highlights:
Designed for both ICE and EV powertrains
India-specific development
Will underpin multiple scooter models
New brand identity planned
125cc ICE engine and EV powertrain options
The new platform will support a 125cc ICE powertrain and an EV powertrain which gives Piaggio flexibility to serve different buyer segments. Piaggio is also adopting a similar approach to other manufacturers by offering both options for their scooters.
Aprilia Brand for the EV
Piaggio has confirmed that the new scooter range will launch in 2027 and will be under the Aprilia brand. This is a huge move as Aprilia is internationally renowned for their sporty and performance-oriented scooters and motorcycles.
Having an Aprilia-branded electric scooter could help Piaggio stand out from the competition as they aim to enter the mass-market EV scooter space. Other companies operating in this space include Ola Electric, Ather Energy, TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak.
Target Price: Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1.3 Lakh
Piaggio has targeted a price range of Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1.3 lakh ex-showroom for the new range of scooters with the lower end being the 125cc petrol version and the upper end being reserved for premium electric variants.
Variant Expected price Powertrain
Base ICE Rs. 85,000-90,000 125cc petrol
Mid ICE Rs. 95,000-1.05 lakh 125cc petrol
Base EV Rs. 1.05-1.15 lakh Electric
Premium EV Rs. 1.15-1.3 lakh Electric with more features
Battery Swapping and Portable Batteries
Piaggio already sells electric three-wheelers in India and have experience with battery swapping and portable battery technology. They are planning to apply the same principles to their new two-wheeler platform.
This suggests that the Aprilia EV scooter might have:
Removable/swappable battery option
Portable battery for home charging
Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model
If Piaggio can offer a swappable battery it could solve one of the biggest problems with electric scooters – charging infrastructure.
Expected Features and Specs
Despite Piaggio not revealing any details on the specifications of the new Aprilia EV, the new scooter is expected to offer competitive features for its price.
Expected features:
Digital instrument cluster
LED lighting
Smartphone connectivity
Multiple riding modes
Regenerative braking
Disc brakes on both wheels
Telescopic front forks
Under-seat storage
The premium EV variants (upper-end of the price range) could see the addition of a larger touchscreen, connected navigation and more advanced rider aids.
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Why This Matters for India
India’s electric two-wheeler market is currently growing rapidly and is expected to cross 2 million units annually in the coming years. However, this growth is being driven mainly by scooters in the Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh bracket. There is currently a gap in the market for EV scooters in the Rs. 85,000 to Rs. 1 lakh segment.
Aprilia’s entry into this segment could democratise EV scooters in India by making them more accessible. The 125cc petrol sibling will also serve as an alternative to electric scooters for those who aren’t ready to make the switch.
Competition
The new Aprilia EV scooter is set to compete with:
Ola S1 X
Ather Rizta
TVS iQube
Bajaj Chetak
Hero Vida V1
Its biggest advantages over the competition are the Aprilia brand value, Italian design and the battery swapping option. However, it will have to face intense competition from other established companies with better service networks.
Exports from India
Piaggio is also looking to boost exports from India for the new platform. This suggests that the Aprilia EV scooter could be manufactured in India and exported to other countries, similar to how Hero MotoCorp and Bajaj are exporting their electric two-wheelers.
This could help Piaggio achieve economies of scale and reduce the cost per unit, potentially allowing even more competitive pricing in India.
Should You Wait?
If you’re planning to buy an electric scooter in the next year, should you wait for the Aprilia EV?
Wait if:
You want a premium-brand electric scooter at an accessible price.
You want battery swapping or portable battery option.
You like Italian design and Aprilia’s sporty character.
You want a scooter in the Rs. 1-1.3 lakh bracket.
Skip if:
You need a scooter immediately.
You prefer an established EV brand with proven service network.
You want the cheapest possible electric scooter.
You prefer a petrol scooter for long-distance touring.
With its India-specific platform, Aprilia branding, Rs. 85,000-1.3 lakh price and battery swapping experience, Piaggio’s new electric scooter could be one of the most significant EV launches of 2027. For buyers looking for a premium yet affordable electric scooter, this is one to watch.
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