Ola S1 Electric scooter price in India announced: 5 scooters it will compete against

The much-anticipated Ola electric scooter price in India and specifications have been announced. The company has introduced two scooters, called Ola S1 and Ola S1 Pro. Both scooters come in to serve the premium EV scooter market, but it’s the Ola S1 that’s likely to attract more buyers, probably because of its slightly affordable price tag compared to the Ola S1 Pro. The Ola S1 electric scooter will retail in India at an ex-showroom price of Rs 99,999 – excluding state subsidies. The scooter, along with its elder sibling Ola S1 Pro, will be available for purchase from September 8th, with deliveries starting from October across 1,000 cities. We take a look at some of the Ola S1 competitors here in this article that is likely to make its ride a little bumpy in the market.

Ola S1 specifications, price in India at a glance

5 electric scooters that will compete against Ola S1

1. Ather 450 Plus and 450x

The Ather 450 series from Ather Energy is one of the most influential pure EV scooters in India and proudly enough is home-grown unlike most others in the segment. The Ather 450 Plus and 450x are the members of the lineup where the 450x is the more performance-oriented of the two. The Ather 450 has benchmark acceleration times, a claimed range of 116km (true range around 80km), fast charging support, an IP67 rated battery with 3 years warranty and a decent 22L storage. The 450 approaches design with a tastefully executed modern look and has some interesting colour combinations on offer. The Ather 450 uses an aluminium cast frame and weighs in at just 108kg (for comparison, Ola S1 Pro is 125kg).

The Ather 450 lineup is already on sale in 11 cities with more following the suite. The Ather 450 also forms a host to a connected tech, for which one has to pay on a quarterly or yearly basis. The battery pack on the Ather 450 has a 3 year/ unlimited-kilometre warranty. The price quotations are as follows.

Vehicle pricing: The Ather 450 Plus has been priced in India at Rs 1,68,989 (ex-showroom Bengaluru excluding FAME II subsidy), while the Ather 450x retails at Rs 1,87,999 (ex-showroom Bengaluru excluding FAME II subsidy). The scooters come with a couple of connectivity plans, including Ather Connect Lite that costs Rs 400/quarter or Rs 1,500/year and Ather Connect Pro, which will set you back to Rs 700/quarter or Rs 2,400/year.

2. Bajaj Chetak

The Chetak of old is back and this time around with a modern pure EV drivetrain. The Chetak is being branded without the Bajaj tag, to appeal to customers old and new. The Chetak is one of the most expensive scooters on the market and also lacks in the new-gen appeal when it comes to tech and other modernities. Chetak does shy away from bragging acceleration times, but being an EV it should be plenty good for the city. That said, the Chetak looks more conventional with its modern-retro swoopy design, 6 colour options and of course the brand name. The Chetak also promises an IP67-certified body, LED headlights, a claimed range of 90km, steel body panels, and a good warranty back from a well established after-sales network.

The Chetak falls back in time with its basic digital console and no proper connectivity tech underneath. This also means that there is no subscription to be paid on a regular basis once you buy this scooter. Bajaj’s Chetak also promises a 3 year / 50,000 km warranty. This surprisingly shoots up to 7 years / 70,000km provided that the user never lets the battery dip below 15 percent and uses the vehicle regularly.

Vehicle pricing: The Chetak Urbane price in India is set at Rs 1,00,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), while the Chetak Premium costs Rs 1,15,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

3. TVS iQube

The TVS iQube is an attempt from a big scale traditional two-wheeler manufacturer and it shows. The approach is safe if a bit unimaginative and is clearly set to cater to a much larger set of audience who would prefer the TVS brand name over other segment newcomers. The TVS iQube hosts a decent albeit generic EV powertrain with a claimed range of just 75km in eco mode. Acceleration times are in the 4.5seconds range and the top speed is rated at 78kmph. The iQube also uses a basic 3-pack Li-ion battery set and a lower-powered 4.4kW motor. The design too is rather quirky with rounded square shapes everywhere. Construction-wise too iQube plays it safe with basic mechanicals. The iQube is however certified IP67 and tips the scale at a moderate 118kg.

The battery pack on the TVS iQube fetches you a 3 years / 50,000 km warranty. While purchase TVS offers a lifetime subscription to SmartXonnect Basic Features, a one-year subscription to RSA and a one-year SmartXonnect Advanced subscription. The iQube is available in 6 cities.

Vehicle pricing: iQube comes with a sticker price of Rs 1,00,777 (on-road Delhi). The scooter also comes with a SmartXonnet Advanced subscription, which costs Rs 900/year.

4. Hero Electric Photon HX

The Hero Electric Photon HX looks like it’s from a generation or two back both in terms of styling as well as the powertrain. The unimpressive numbers, quirky or frankly ugly styling, lack of new-age features, oddball colours don’t appeal to the heart or the mind. The Photon HX has a meagre top speed of 45kmph so it is practically impossible to get a speeding ticket. The only decent thing to boast is a claimed range of 108km. Lack of connected features and Hero’s odd and uninteresting marketing doesn’t sweeten the deal for what is currently the most expensive EV two-wheeler on Hero’s protfolio. The only saving grace if any would-be Hero’s healthy dealer and service network.

Vehicle pricing: Hero Electric Photon HX is priced in India at Rs 71,440 (ex-showroom Delhi)

5. Simple One

One of the most promising upcoming electric scooters and a befitting rival to the Ola scooter S1 and S1 Pro will be the Simple One from the house of another startup, Simple Energy. Although currently in a pre-production state, but Simple Energy has started accepting pre-bookings, the scooter has some high claims matching and even exceeding the likes of the Ola S1 and S1 Pro. The Simple One claims the quickest 0-40kmph time of 2.95secs while also promising a claimed range of 236km. The Simple One has a removable battery that makes the scooter easier and quicker to charge and it achieves this while still having 30L of boot space. The Simple One claims to be 99% localised to keep the prices in check.

Vehicle pricing: The Simple One has a price tag of Rs 1,09,999. Its delivery is likely to start by the end of this year.

Ola S1 electric scooter specs comparison