Multiple-brand electric two-wheelers plan to raise prices next month

Wen | Zhai Zhichao

Editor | Chen Ye

Blue Whale News, March 30 (Reporter Zhai Zhichao) Starting in April 2026, the two-wheeled electric vehicle market may see a wave of concentrated price increases.

Blue Whale Technology has learned exclusively from multiple informed sources that, due to rising raw material costs, the expiration of factory rebate policies, and the end of promotional activities, domestic mainstream electric two-wheeler brands such as Ninebot, Yadi, Tailg, and Aima plan to officially raise the prices of most of their models starting next month.

This is the first time since the adjustment of prices by some brands following the release of the new national standards last year that leading companies in the two-wheeled electric vehicle industry have signaled a collective price increase. Industry insiders have analyzed to Blue Whale Technology that this move may indicate the end of a prolonged “price war” in the industry, with cost pressures rapidly transmitting downstream.

An increase of 200-300 yuan is expected, and some dealers have already received stocking notices.

“Starting next month, we may have to raise prices on most of our models, with an increase of about 200 to 300 yuan,” a channel insider from Yadi disclosed to Blue Whale Technology.

“Although an absolute increase of 200 yuan is not considered high compared to the mainstream price range of 3,000 to 5,000 yuan for electric vehicles, for dealers whose profits are already thin and highly reliant on volume, the signal released by this adjustment is quite important,” the insider added.

It is worth noting that relevant individuals from Aima, Ninebot, and Tailg have also provided similar statements. Multiple informants told Blue Whale Technology that “since this month, regional managers from various brands have been intensively notifying dealers to increase stocking efforts, in response to potential inventory cost increases and short-term demand fluctuations following next month’s price hike.” “Stocking up now is equivalent to saving on the cost of next month’s price increase,” a Yadi dealer in South China told Blue Whale Technology.

Based on various information, behind this collective price increase among leading brands is a concentrated release of dual pressures from costs and policies, mainly reflected in three aspects.

First, raw material prices have remained high. Since last year, prices for lithium batteries, lead-acid batteries, frame steel, tire rubber, and rare earth materials used in motors have all risen. An insider in the lithium battery industry told Blue Whale Technology, “Although some raw material prices have recently adjusted downwards, overall prices remain at historically high levels.”

Second, the periodic expiration of factory rebate policies has passively raised the cost for dealers. Blue Whale Technology has learned from a certain electric two-wheeler brand that manufacturers typically offer high rebates for stock purchases at the beginning of the year or during sales peaks. As the rebate period ends at the end of the first quarter, the new quarter’s business policies have not yet been established, leading to reduced purchase discounts and corresponding pressure on terminal retail prices.

Finally, the “New Year” promotions have gradually come to an end in the first quarter. “The period after the Spring Festival is a traditional off-season for sales, and it is also a key window for manufacturers to plan for the small peaks of ‘Golden March and Silver April,’” a dealer from Aima electric vehicles told Blue Whale Technology. Previously, brands like Yadi, Aima, Ninebot, and Tailg launched price-reduction promotions or subsidies for trade-ins, and as these policies wrap up at the end of March, terminal prices naturally see a rebound.

The adjustment in the price war may trigger a chain reaction.

As the leading players in the domestic electric two-wheeler market, Yadi, Aima, and Tailg have long occupied the top spots in sales, while Ninebot has rapidly risen among the young consumer demographic with its positioning in smart and high-end products. The simultaneous release of price adjustment signals by these four major brands is seen by the industry as a significant trend-setting indicator.

“Once the leading companies collectively raise prices, second and third-tier brands will face a dilemma—either follow suit to ease cost pressure, potentially losing their price advantage, or remain static and bear greater risks of losses,” said the aforementioned Yadi channel insider.

In fact, since the second half of 2023, the competitive landscape of the electric two-wheeled vehicle industry has shown subtle changes. After years of intense “price wars” and channel expansions, leading companies have begun to focus more on restoring profit margins.

Financial reports released by Yadi Holdings and Aima Technology show that although revenue continues to grow, gross margins have been squeezed by raw material costs and promotional expenditures. For publicly listed companies, enhancing profitability has become as important as capturing market share.

As a latecomer, Ninebot previously maintained a relatively high gross margin through high-end differentiation strategies, but under the backdrop of rising costs across the industry, it too finds it difficult to remain unaffected. “This price increase can be viewed as a transitional signal for the industry moving from extensive growth to high-quality development,” an experienced industry observer told Blue Whale Technology. As comprehensive costs such as raw materials, labor, and channels continue to rise, companies can no longer rely on low-price strategies to maintain a healthy cycle. “A proper adjustment in terminal prices is beneficial for the long-term health of the industry.”

What does this round of price increases mean for ordinary consumers? Several dealers have suggested to Blue Whale Technology that if there are plans to purchase or replace a vehicle soon, it is advisable to place orders before the end of March to lock in the current discount prices. “If you wait until next month when the policy officially adjusts, spending an extra 200 yuan for the same model is basically certain,” the aforementioned Yadi dealer admitted.

However, some industry insiders have pointed out to Blue Whale Technology that due to the overall intense competition in the two-wheeled electric vehicle market, it is possible that some brands or dealers, in order to maintain sales volume, may implement “stealth price reductions” through gifts, services, or discounts on older models after the price increase. Consumers are encouraged to compare prices when purchasing vehicles.

(Editor: Wen Jing)

Keywords:

                                                            Electric bicycles
                                                            Electric vehicles