Yamaha Aerox 155 vs Aerox E: Can the EV Pay Back Better?

• Petrol Aerox costs about Rs. 1.35 lakh less and covers around 220km on a full tank
• Electric Aerox E claims 117km
• Run the E at 12,000km a year and energy savings may recover the higher price in near five years

When it comes to cool looking and performing sporty scooters, the Yamaha Aerox 155 mostly tops the charts with its sporty ergos backed by a performance oriented 155cc liquid cooled single. But the dawn of electrification has reeled in the Aerox E. Both Aerox 155 and Aerox E share the same sharp maxi-scooter idea, but deliver it in different ways. Taking rough numbers, the petrol Aerox starts at Rs. 1.43 lakh, while the keyless Version S costs about Rs. 1.46 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. Aerox E has been launched at Rs. 2.82 lakh, creating a gap of roughly Rs. 1.35 lakh against the closer Version S. The electric sibling must recover this difference through lower running and maintenance costs while matching the petrol model’s convenience.

Same Name, Different Heart

The petrol-powered Aerox has a 155cc liquid-cooled engine producing 14.6bhp and 13.9Nm. It has a smooth CVT box and the package weighs about 126kg. Its 5.5-litre tank combined with the 40kmpl average fuel efficiency figure as reported by owners on BikeWale lends it a range of near 220km. It also has 14-inch wheels, traction control, single-channel ABS, Bluetooth connectivity and a 24.5 litres storage.

Our team was wowed by this sport scoot. The engine feels punchy, refined and effortless, while the handling makes the scooter engaging through traffic and around corners. Its firm ride, modest front-brake bite, raised central spine and tall pillion seat remain the main compromises.

On the other side of the spectrum we has the Aerox E with its two removable 1.5kWh battery packs offering a total capacity of 3kWh. Its 9.4kW motor is good for 95.5kmph top whack, and an official IDC range of 117km. Charging both the packs takes six hours and 20 minutes, damn! It weighs in at 139kg and adds a five-inch TFT display, navigation, three riding modes, boost and reverse functions, traction control, two disc brakes and single-channel ABS.

The petrol scooter is offered in Metallic Black, Racing Blue and Ice Fluo Vermillion depending on the variant, while the Aerox E currently comes only in Bluish White Cocktail, which we really like. The batteries, charging dock, motor controller, battery-management system and richer electronics explain part of the premium for the electric.

Even then, the value is difficult to defend. Yamaha’s own EC-06 costs around Rs. 1.68 lakh and claims 169km with a slower and less performance-focused attitude. Even the TVS X sits near Rs. 2.50 lakh claiming a longer 159km range and 110kmph top speed. Aerox E looks like it is charging heavily for its design, that Yamaha badge and a removable-battery arrangement.

Running Cost and the Five-Year Question?

A rough city-use calculation (and these are very rough indeed) shows both the attraction and the limitation of the Aerox E. Consider a rider covering 1,000km each month, or 12,000km annually. For ease assume petrol costs Rs. 100 per litre and the Aerox 155 returns 40kmpl, meaning it would cost about Rs. 2.50 per kilometre, or Rs. 2,500 a month.

For the Aerox E, the 3kWh battery and 117km IDC range work out to about 0.026kWh per kilometre at the battery. After considering reasonable 15% charging losses and assuming a domestic electricity rate of Rs. 8 per unit, the cost is approximately 24 paise per kilometre. A 1,000km month would therefore cost about Rs. 236, while one year would cost around Rs. 2,830. Against Rs. 30,000 spent on petrol, the yearly energy saving is roughly Rs. 27,170.

At that rate the Rs. 1.35 lakh purchase gap takes close to 59,800km to recover, or almost five years at 12,000km annually. At 500km a month that payback moves towards ten years. At 1,500km a month it drops to roughly three years and four months. The electric version therefore suits a long and predictable commute better than just occasional uses.

Also we’re excluding finance interest, insurance, servicing, battery ageing, resale value and a possible battery replacement here for the E. Electric scooter should need fewer routine powertrain items because doesn’t have many oily bits. Brake wear might also reduce because of regenerative deceleration.

The Better Buy

The petrol Aerox leads here for unplanned travel. We’ve got more than a lakh fuel retail outlets and a refill takes only but a moment. And although around 29,151 public EV charging stations had been installed nationally by early 2026, not every point is serving every electric two-wheeler. Connector standards, access, operating hours and reliability vary, considerably.

The Aerox E’s removable packs does reduce this problem because they can be charged indoors. This setup is useful for people living in flats without a parking socket, although owners must still carry the packs and find suitable space for the charging dock. This arrangement works best when the rider has a safe power supply and a regular overnight charging routine.

Claimed 117km range is also still a test-cycle figure. Fast riding, frequent boost use, carrying a pillion, our country’s high temperatures and battery ageing can reduce the distance available in everyday conditions. The petrol model’s roughly 220km tank range and quick refuelling make it more flexible for unexpected journeys and travel outside major cities.

Be in no doubt but Aerox E is a fantastically fun scooter to ride. We rode it earlier and admired its agility, grip and softer setup over smaller bumps than the petrol model. However, its throttle calibration still felt inconsistent and repeated boost use caused a temporary limp-mode issue on the early-production test scooter. It just didn’t feel like the final customer-ready version. These concerns are likely sorted on production scooters.

The twin batteries also consume much of the under-seat area. This is an important loss because the petrol Aerox offers a useful 24.5-litre compartment. Neither of the scoots has a flat floorboard, but at least you can carry a helmet or everyday luggage in the petrol Aerox for pete’s sake.

Remember the Delhi EV Policy 2026 stating that from 1 April 2028 only electric two-wheelers will be permitted for new registration in NCR. This rule might increase electric scooter demand in Delhi/NCR, but does not automatically solve charging access in older colonies, rented homes and apartment blocks. The Aerox E also exceeds the policy’s Rs. 2.25 lakh ceiling for electric two-wheeler purchase incentives. It can still benefit from Delhi’s EV road-tax and registration-fee exemption, yet its large ex-showroom premium remains.

So for most of us, the Aerox 155 is still the better choice. It is cheaper, easier to refuel, travels farther between stops, offers better storage and preserves Aerox’s lively character. The Aerox E suits someone covering at least 1,000km a month, charging at home and planning to keep the scooter for five years or longer. Its running cost is genuinely low, but at Rs. 2.82 lakh it is a premium electric alternative rather than the logical replacement for the Aerox 155.