Japanese investment giant SoftBank has significantly reduced its ownership in India's leading electric vehicle manufacturer, Ola Electric Mobility Ltd. Through a series of open market transactions conducted between 3 September 2025 and 5 January 2026, SoftBank's investment vehicle sold a substantial portion of its shares, triggering a mandatory disclosure to stock market regulators.
Details of the SoftBank Stake Sale
According to an official exchange filing made public on Friday, 9 January 2026, the conglomerate's entity, SVF II OSTRICH (DE) LLC, disposed of an aggregate of 94,628,299 equity shares of Ola Electric. This transaction reduced SoftBank's stake in the company from 15.68% to 13.53%, representing a dilution of 2.15%.
The filing specifically noted that the disposal on 5 January 2026 breached the 2% threshold specified under the SEBI Takeover Regulations, necessitating the disclosure. This sale follows a similar pattern from the previous year, where the same entity sold 94,943,459 shares between 15 July 2025 and 2 September 2025, trimming its stake from 17.83% to 15.68%.
Promoter Share Sale and Retail Investor Growth
SoftBank is not the only major shareholder reducing its stake. Earlier, in December 2025, the company's founder and promoter, Bhavish Aggarwal, sold a significant number of his personal shares. Reports indicate he sold 4.2 crore shares on 17 December, following a sale of 2.6 crore shares the day before.
Ola Electric clarified that Aggarwal's sales were a "one-time, limited monetisation" executed solely to fully repay a ₹260 crore loan at the promoter level. This move was aimed at simplifying his personal finances and was not related to the company's operations.
Interestingly, as large investors pare their holdings, retail participation in Ola Electric has surged. By the end of the September 2024 quarter, the company had about 14.1 lakh retail shareholders owning 8% of the company. This number jumped to 19 lakh retail investors by the September 2025 quarter, with their collective ownership climbing sharply to 17.3% of the company.
Market Reaction and Share Price Movement
The news of SoftBank's stake sale impacted the stock price on the day of the filing. During market hours on 9 January, Ola Electric's share price dropped by 2.42%, closing at ₹39.49. This decline contrasts with a recent positive trend that saw the stock surge over 8% to an eight-week high, with market analysts speculating if ₹50 could be the next target.
The evolving shareholder pattern, marked by strategic investor exits and growing retail confidence, paints a dynamic picture for Ola Electric's future on the public markets. The company continues to be a focal point in India's ambitious electric vehicle transition.
