Ola Could Launch A More Affordable S1 Scooter Later This Year

Last Updated on April 26, 2022 by Anu Joy

We watched Ola Electric launch the country’s first electric scooter lineup. Without state subsidies, both the S1 and the S1 Pro cost well over a lakh rupees. While the company showed interest in bringing cheaper solutions to market at the time of launch, and we are now learning more about those intentions.

Now, company founder Bhavish Aggarwal has revealed that the basic S1 electric scooter will be released later this year, possibly at a lower price than originally promised. Until now, Ola has only produced their top-tier S1 Pro model. Concurrently, the brand has shifted orders for the S1 to the S1 Pro, providing buyers with a profitable deal. The S1 and S1 Pro were both released in August 2021, with the S1 Pro costing ₹1.29 lakhs (ex-showroom) and the regular S1 scooter costing ₹99,999 (ex-showroom).

The main distinction between the two models is the larger battery size and reduced performance. The S1 Pro has a claimed range of 181km (later lowered to 135km “real range”), while the S1 has a claimed range of 121km. The S1 has a 2.98kWh battery, whereas the S1 Pro has a 3.97kWh unit. Furthermore, the Ola S1 offers only two driving modes, Normal and Sports, whereas the S1 Pro has an additional Hyper mode.

Aside from that, the company is currently working on recalling 1,441 units for preventative diagnostics and health checks. This comes at a time when the number of EVs catching fire in the country has increased, and it is a positive step for the brand. Furthermore, Ola is working on bringing its latest Move OS 2.0 upgrade to its scooters, which will include a slew of new features such as hill hold, cruise control, and voice assistant.