By: HT Auto Desk , updated on: October 16, 2024, 09:36 am
Ather Energy has introduced three service plans for the 450 range of electric scooters.
Service plans are only offered on the 450X, 450S and 450 Apex.
Ather Energy has launched the Ather Care Service Plan for its 450 range of electric scooters. E Ather Care plans cover free periodic maintenance, discount on wear and tear part replacement and include services like ExpressCare and polishing. There will be three service plans on offer – Ather Care, Ather Care Plus and Ather Care Max.
Check out upcoming EV bikes in India.
First publication date: 16 October 2024, 09:36 am IST
Electric two-wheeler manufacturer iVoomi has announced discounts of up to Rs 10,000 on its electric scooter. Discounts are also being offered on the top-end iVoomi WinX ZE and the more affordable iVoomi S1 range. Customers interested in purchasing Jitx ZE can avail the discount till now 10,000, while those choosing S1 are eligible for a discount 5,000. Apart from these discounts, iVOOMi Energy has introduced attractive offers, including zero down payment loan, 0 percent interest and minimum installments. 1,411.
By: HT Auto Desk , updated on: 11 September 2024, 23:33 pm
An Ola electric scooter owner allegedly set the company's showroom in Karnataka on fire after the company failed to fix issues with his EV.
An Ola Electric scooter customer in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, allegedly set the company's showroom on fire after problems with his new electric scooter were not resolved. A video of the burning showroom has gone viral on social media, sparking a debate over the move as well as previous allegations against Ola Electric's allegedly shoddy service quality.
Mohammed Nadeem, who is facing arson charges, bought an Ola electric scooter in August. The electric scooter reportedly started developing multiple problems soon and the issues persisted even after Nadeem took it to the showroom for repairs. Though the exact nature of the problems with the scooter is not yet known, news agencies reported that Nadeem had an argument with showroom officials on Tuesday evening. “The servicing request was not good, he went multiple times,” Kalaburagi police commissioner told news agency PTI. “When he went yesterday (Tuesday), he had petrol with him and he set six bikes on fire.”
Also read: “If… then we are the 4th largest EV company in the world”: Ola Electric trolled for tall claim
There is no news of any casualties in the fire, but the showroom has suffered heavy damage. This becomes clear from the video viral on social media.
Netizens have come out to criticise such an extreme – and illegal – act, and have highlighted that there were still other ways for Ola Electric’s sales and service representatives to resolve the issue with this particular electric scooter unit. However, many have also pointed out once again that Ola Electric’s after-sales network needs to be far more efficient than it currently is.
Ola reacts to the fire incident
Late Wednesday evening, Ola Electric reacted to the fire incident in Kalaburagi by strongly condemning it. “Yesterday, a fire broke out at one of our brand stores in Kalaburagi, Karnataka,” the company said in a message. “The perpetrator of this violent act has been identified and an FIR has been filed against the said person at the concerned police station. He has been arrested and investigation is underway. Apart from the FIR, we at Ola strongly condemn such unlawful acts and will take all necessary legal measures to ensure appropriate and strict action is taken in this matter and such incidents do not happen again.”
Take a look at the upcoming EV bikes in India.
First Publication Date: September 11, 2024, 18:59 PM IST
By: HT Auto Desk , updated on: 05 Sep 2024, 08:13 am
Kinetic Green aims to launch a family electric scooter within the next 18 months.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Kinetic Green is working on an electric scooter for families. This new electric scooter is expected to hit the market in the next 18 months. However, the company's founder and CEO Sulajja Firodia Motwani has said that Kinetic Green has no intention of entering the fast-growing electric motorcycle segment in the Indian market, at least not yet.
Kinetic Green aims to earn USD 1.5 billion by 2020, PTI reported. It is estimated to reach ₹10,000 crore by 2030 and 60 per cent of this revenue is estimated to come from the company's two-wheeler business. The upcoming family electric scooter will be a key part of the brand's Vision 3.0, which focuses on the next phase of growth by capturing scale. “We are working on a family e-scooter, which will be launched in about 18 months from now. The e-scooter will be in the urban format,” Motwani said. He also added that the upcoming family electric scooter will be positioned alongside the company's e-Luna.
Speaking on the possibility of bringing electric motorcycles to the market, Motwani reportedly said that the company is not considering motorcycles. He said, “We are not considering motorcycles because somehow people do not like Kinetic motorcycles. They think Kinetic is more about scooters and the Luna brand.”
Kinetic Green earlier last month raised a $25 million investment from private equity firm Greater Pacific Capital (GPC) as part of a $40 million Series A round. The funds will be used to accelerate the growth of the company's electric two- and three-wheeler business.
The investment will be used to scale up production at Kinetic Green's manufacturing facility in Supa, Maharashtra and enhance marketing, distribution and R&D efforts. In addition, the company plans to expand globally, especially through the launch of its premium golf cart range developed in collaboration with the Lamborghini family of Italy.
Take a look at the upcoming bikes in India.
First Publication Date: 05 September 2024, 08:13 AM IST
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 24 Mar 2024, 17:20 PM
A study by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) stated that the Indian government’s push for electric vehicles may result in large-scale entry
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A study by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) stated that the Indian government’s push for electric vehicles may result in large-scale entry of Chinese companies into the country’s domestic market.
The Indian government has been pushing hard for electric mobility over the last few years. As part of its commitment towards carbon neutrality, the Indian government has been encouraging the automakers to thrive for electric vehicles, which will help reduce the country’s vehicular emissions. However, this push to boost the domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles may result in large-scale entry of Chinese automakers into the Indian domestic market, claimed a report by the think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).
The findings come at a time when the global automobile industry is witnessing a massive rise in Chinese auto companies, which are aggressively thriving to grab the electric vehicle markets across different continents with their affordable offerings, aided by substantial support from the Chinese government. Speaking about the projection, GTRI has said that China’s automotive industry, buoyed by substantial state support, has grown rapidly in electric vehicle technology, making it a major exporter of EVs and related components.
Watch: BYD Seal EV launched in India: Worry for Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6?
The report also stated that the renewed policy push to make India a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and efforts of the private sector will result in a sharp increase in dependence on auto component imports from China. Interestingly, India’s auto component imports were $20.3 billion in 2022-23 and about 30 per cent of it came from China. As electric vehicles are getting greater focus in India, the auto component imports from China may increase further because it has a greater hold over the EV components’ global supply chain, the report said.
Currently, China has 75 per cent of the world’s battery production capacity and battery packs account for 40 per cent of the total sticker price of an electric vehicle. China also accounts for more than 50 per cent of global electric vehicle production and exports to markets around the world. While making projections about the Indian electric mobility scenario, the report said that in the next few years, every third electric vehicle and many passenger and commercial vehicles on Indian roads could be those made by Chinese auto companies. These could be directly by the Chinese OEMs or through joint ventures with Indian companies.
The report also stated that entry to the Indian market could provide a major relief to Chinese companies, as their exports to the European Union and the United States are declining owing to anti-subsidy probes and increased trade restrictions over the export of subsidised cars and EV batteries. Interestingly, this projection comes on the heels of the introduction of JSW MG Motor India, a joint venture between China’s SAIC and Indian conglomerate JSW Group. Forming the JV, the two companies announced that under the JSW MG Motor India, there will be an investment of ₹5,000 crore in India to enhance the production capacity locally. Also, the company aims to launch one new car in India every three to six months starting in September 2024.
By: Mainak Das | Updated on: 18 Mar 2024, 16:41 PM
Various factors like the gradual improvement of EV charging infrastructure across India, the rising number of electric two-wheelers, and a narrowing p
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Various factors like the gradual improvement of EV charging infrastructure across India, the rising number of electric two-wheelers, and a narrowing price gap between the ICE and electric two-wheelers are fuelling the favourable situation for electric scooters and motorcycles.
Electric vehicles are finding an increasing level of footprint in India over the last few years. In the last few years, electric two-wheelers have taken the baton of spearheading the EV adoption pace in the country from electric three-wheelers. Also, this shift has democratised the adoption of electric vehicle ownership in the country.
An estimate shows that an electric scooter can offer the rider a saving of about ₹16,200 every year compared to an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) powered scooter if the daily commuting distance is 30 kilometres, per unit electricity charge is ₹10 and a litre of petrol costs ₹100. With the FAME 2 subsidy benefits are about to conclude at the end of this month, the newly launched Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 brings another opportunity for two-wheeler buyers to avail the benefit of purchasing an electric scooter or electric motorcycle with lowered acquisition cost.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched the EMPS 2024, which allocates a total amount of ₹333.39 crore for electric two-wheelers. The scheme also states that a total of 333,387 electric scooters will receive the benefit of ₹10,000 each. Under the EMPS 2024, the buyers of electric two-wheelers will receive this benefit for four months, spanning between April 1 and July 31 this year.
Watch: Ather 450S review: Worthy of its price tag?
Adding further advantage points for the consumers are factors like the rapidly improving electric vehicle charging infrastructure across India, the rising number of products, and the narrowing price gap between the ICE and electric scooters.
EV charging infrastructure
While electric cars require large charging space and bigger infrastructure, electric two-wheelers can use smaller space. This has propelled the EV charging infra developers to set up charging points at various spaces across the country. The EV manufacturers too are coming up at a large number with their relevant solutions. Besides this, electric two-wheelers can be easily charged using home charging solutions. Apart from that, the ease of taking out the battery from the vehicle and charging it somewhere is available with electric two-wheelers. In the last few years, EV charging infrastructure across India has improved significantly, which is one reason to make it an appropriate time for buying an electric scooter or motorcycle, as range anxiety is addressed at large.
Watch: Ola S1 Pro electric scooter: First impressions
Rising number of products
In the last few years, the number of electric vehicle launches, especially in the two-wheeler segment has increased drastically. While the EV startups have been leading the pack, the legacy two-wheeler manufacturers too have shifted their attention to this space. This is why, besides the EV startups like Ather Energy and Ola Electric, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Company, and Bajaj Auto have brought their respective offerings into the space.
Narrowing price gap between ICE and electric two-wheelers
The price gap between conventional petrol engine-powered and electric two-wheelers is narrowing gradually. The EV startups have been offering discounts on their products, while schemes such as FAME and EMPS too are reducing the acquisition costs for the buyers. Additionally, the sky-high cost of petrol and rising maintenance costs along with the rising cost of acquisition for the ICE two-wheelers are making the situation favourable for electric two-wheelers.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 12 Mar 2024, 20:46 PM
The teaser video shows the battery undergoing a 40-foot drop test to demonstrate the durability of the component that will power the upcoming Rizta f
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The teaser video shows the battery undergoing a 40-foot drop test to demonstrate the durability of the component that will power the upcoming Rizta family electric scooter.
Ather Energy will reveal the new Rizta electric scooter on April 6, 2024, at the Ather Community Day. Ahead of the debut, the company is slowly revealing little details about the upcoming offering in a bid to keep buyers excited. The latest teaser video has now dropped on Ather’s social media and shows the new battery pack on the Rizta.
The teaser video shows the battery undergoing a 40-foot drop test to demonstrate the durability of the component. The video ends with the battery pack successfully withstanding the impact at the end of the test. The company says that the drop test showcases the battery pack’s ability to withstand shocks when going over bad roads. That’s all the details the company has shared so far without giving out numbers on the capacity or range. The flat design though hints at the battery going under the floorboard, similar to the Ather 450X, which would ensure maximum space under the seat.
Details remain scarce but Ather has promised the biggest seat in the segment and under-seat storage for the Rizta family e-scooter. The company currently builds battery packs in the 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh capacities respectively. The former promises a range of 111 km, while the latter offers a range of 150 km (certified) on a single charge. It needs to be seen if the Rizta will get the same battery pack or if the company opt for something larger in the interest of a higher range.
The bigger battery pack will also increase the weight of the scooter, which will be another challenge for the company. Hence, it needs to be seen how the Rizta is engineered to accommodate the needs of the family scooter buyer. Complete details on the Rizta should be available early next month. Make sure to keep watching this space for all the action.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 01 Jan 2024, 16:57 PM
Ola Electric sells S1 Pro, S1 Air and S1X Plus electric scooters in India.
Ola Electric on Monday announced that it sold 30,219 electric scooters across India in December 2023. The ride-hailing platform turned into an EV manufacturer also claimed that it captured 40 per cent market share in the Indian electric two-wheeler segment. Ola Electric further claimed that December 2023 witnessed its highest-ever monthly registrations.
The electric two-wheeler manufacturer has claimed in an official release that it registered a whopping 74 per cent sales growth in December 2023, as compared to the same month a year ago. Also, the company claims to have recorded 68 per cent growth in the last quarter ending in December 2023 with 83,963 units, compared to the October-December quarter of 2022. Also, the EV manufacturer claims to have sold a total of 2.65 lakh units of electric scooters in 2023.
Ola Electric further claimed that it crossed another milestone of becoming the first company in the industry to produce 400,000 electric scooters in just two years. Speaking about the sales performance, Anshul Khandelwal, Chief Marketing Officer of Ola Electric, said that its ‘December to Remember’ campaign was a massive success bringing thousands of customers under the EV fold. “We believe that we have continued our market leadership for yet another quarter on the back of our strong product lineup comprising the S1 Pro, S1 Air, and the S1 X+. Our ‘December to Remember’ campaign has been a massive success, bringing thousands more under the EV fold,” he added.
Ola Electric currently has five different electric scooters on offer across variants and different battery options. It sells models like S1 Pro, S1 Air and S1X Plus. Priced at ₹147,499 (ex-showroom), S1 Pro is the company’s flagship premium EV scooter while S1 Air is available at ₹119,999 (ex-showroom), and it is the band’s most affordable EV.
Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Xero EV has joined with battery-swapping technology provider VoltUp for last-mile delivery solutions. The EV maker announced on Wednesday that it aims to get 15,000 electric two-wheelers on the road within the next two years, which will be used in the last-mile delivery segment.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 27 Dec 2023, 18:18 PM
Under the strategic partnership between Xero EV and VoltUp, the electric two-wheeler manufacturer’s pure electric scooters will leverage the latter’s battery-swapping facility across 12 cities in the country. The EV maker claims the partnership will revolutionise last-mile delivery solutions across these cities. While the company claimed that this partnership will initially benefit the Mink electric scooter, it will also benefit other Xero electric two-wheelers. Xero EV has further claimed that under this partnership, users of its electric two-wheelers will be able to swap their battery packs within a minute.
Speaking about this collaboration, Bharat Pritmani, co-founder of Xero EV has said that the two companies are creating a solution that not only meets but exceeds the demands of last-mile delivery partners. “This collaboration marks a turning point in the electric vehicle industry. By integrating Xero’s energy-efficient products with VoltUp’s swappable battery network, we are creating a solution that not only meets but exceeds the demands of last-mile delivery partners,” Pritmani added.
Ritesh Singh, Head of Business & Strategy at VoltUp said that this partnership between the two companies will play a pivotal role in minimizing costs for riders, unlocking new possibilities for the electric vehicle landscape. “The partnership between VoltUp and Xero EV not only underscores our dedication to offering cutting-edge solutions but also emphasises our commitment to creating a sustainable future for all. As we embark on this journey together, we are confident that this partnership will play a pivotal role in minimizing costs for riders, unlocking new possibilities for the electric vehicle landscape. The integration of VoltUp’s platform into Xero EVs Mink model will significantly reduce charging times, enabling riders to optimize their time on the road and eliminate the waiting game associated with traditional charging or fast charging stations,” he added.
Hero MotoCorp has announced the foray of its electric two-wheeler brand Vida into the European market at the EICMA 2023 motorcycle show. The company will introduce the Vida electric brand in Europe starting with Spain and France, while also commencing operations in the UK. Hero will commence sales of the Vida V1 Pro electric scooter by mid-2024, joined by the new V1 Coupe single-seater variant, specifically designed for the European market.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 07 Nov 2023, 22:38 PM
The Vida V1 went on sale in India in October 2022 and the model now makes its way to Europe and the UK. The electric scooter will come with two removable batteries for flexible charging options, along with a host of features including cruise control, Boost mode, two-way throttle, keyless access and an OTA-enabled 7-inch TFT touchscreen console that will make it easy to bring more features in the future. Vida V1 for Europe is expected to be identical to the Indian version.
Furthermore, Hero will introduce the Vida V1 Coupe in Europe and the UK which will allow converting the standard two-seater V1 into a single-seater via an accessory, depending on the rider’s need and style. The V1 Coupe will not compromise on the functionality or practicality of the e-scooter. Hero MotoCorp has also confirmed that will introduce its premium motorcycle and scooter lineup as well in Europe in due course of time.
Speaking about foraying into Europe at EICMA 2023, Niranjan Gupta, CEO – Hero MotoCorp said, “We are excited to showcase our latest products and technologies to our stakeholders here who have come from around the world. We are collaborating with highly credible partners in the UK, Spain, and France to start commercial operations in each of these markets by mid-2024. We will first introduce our electric scooter VIDA V1 in these countries and then expand our offerings with high-capacity premium ICE motorcycles and scooters, which are showcased here. With our expertise in providing high-quality personal mobility solutions at accessible prices, we are confident that our new range of products will be appreciated by customers across geographies. Our aim is to “Innovate and Manufacture in India for the world” and we are changing gears to swiftly move ahead towards this target.”
Hero MotoCorp has identified distributors in each of the markets and said it is in the process of finalising the commercial agreements. The company has partnered with Motogb for distribution in the UK. The company has a 40-year-old history in retail and distribution of two-wheelers and associated ancillaries; spare parts, clothing, accessories and used bikes. Motogb has an independent dealer network of about 150 dealerships.
In France, Hero has tied up with GD France to distribute its electric scooters. The latter has over 20 years of experience in the two-wheeler and four-wheeler industry with a strength of over 300 dealerships. Lastly, the Indian two-wheeler giant has partnered with Noria Motors, a subsidiary of Onex Group to distribute the Vida brand in Spain. The Onex Group has over 35 years of experience in distributing two-wheelers and is said to be an expert in establishing a new brand in the country.
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer, River, has commenced deliveries of its maiden electric scooter, Indie, in Bengaluru. The first group of pre-order customers were officially handed over their keys during an event. The electric scooter was launched in the country earlier this year in February, followed by the rollout of the first unit from the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hoskote in August.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 17 Oct 2023, 16:24 PM
River is set to revise the price of its debut product, which will be announced soon. The price hike is being considered in the aftermath of the latest modifications in the FAME II subsidy. However, the first batch of customers received the product at the initially announced price of ₹1.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru).
The EV brand is also working on launching its first experience center in Bengaluru, which is expected to open for public by November this year. Since its inception in March 2021, the brand has raised a total of $28 million in funds from marquee investors to speed up its electric mobility journey. The EV startup is hopeful to sell one lakh units of the high-speed electric scooter by 2025.
The Indie electric scooter sources power from a 6.7 kWh electric motor, which churns out 26 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a belt drive, propelling the EV to sprint 0-40 kmph in 3.9 seconds at a top speed of 90 kmph. The motor comes paired with a 4 kWh battery pack, which is claimed to deliver a 120-km range on a single charge.
The scooter comes with an unusual design that grabs attention at the very first glance. It gets dual front LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights as well as LED taillights. On the feature front, there is a fully-digital six-inch colour instrument cluster, spacious 20-inch footboard, 43-litre under-seat boot space and a 12-litre glove box, among others.
It runs on 14-inch black alloy wheels wrapped with meaty tyres. The front wheel gets a 240 mm disc brake, while the rear sports a 200 mm disc. For suspension duty, the scooter gets a telescopic setup at the front and a twin hydraulic system at the rear.
Pre-bookings for the MUVI 125 4G will soon be opened by the Acer brand. Meanwhile, the company has also invited those interested in dealership opportunities to express their intent. For both pre-bookings and dealership inquiries, those interested need to visit the company’s official website.
The electric scooter was first showcased at the EV India Expo 2023 in Greater Noida in September this year. It comes with swappable batteries, ensuring hassle-free charging. The two removable of 48V 35.2Ah each offer a range of 80 kilometres per charge and can reach a top speed of 75 kmph. The company claims that it can be charged to full in around four hours and riders can even opt to use just one battery at a time.
The scooter is being touted as a futuristic electric mobility solution for urban commuters. It comes with a light-weight chassis which is sturdy in nature and rides on 16-inch wheels for smooth movement. The chassis is complemented by an innovative rear shock absorber system which comes paired with a front hydraulic fork, offering agility and stability to riders.
It will be available in three color options: White, Black, and Grey.
The features of the scooter are said to be highly customizable and data-driven for the tech-savvy riders. One can use their Android or iOS smartphone to customize the vehicle and turn it into an interactive machine. It gets a Bluetooth-enabled 4-inch LCD screen with three configurations available.
Ola Electric has announced commencing deliveries of the S1 Pro Gen2 electric scooter in India. The Ola S1 Pro Gen2 was launched in August this year for ₹1.48 lakh (ex-showroom, India) and received major changes including a comprehensively updated chassis, revised motor and battery pack, as well as new tech onboard. Ola Electric says deliveries of the S1 Pro Gen2 have begun in over 100 cities with more markets to follow soon.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 13 Oct 2023, 19:05 PM
Upgrades to the Ola S1 Pro Gen2 electric scooter include a frame that’s lighter in weight and a flat floorboard. The e-scooter also gets telescopic front forks instead of the monoshock unit seen on the Gen1 model. The mid-drive motor is now more powerful at 11 kW (14.7 bhp) and promises a higher top speed of 120 kmph. The e-scooter also accelerates faster from 0-40 kmph in 2.6 seconds.
Compared to the Gen1 model, the new Ola S1 Pro Gen2 is about 6 kg lighter, which along with the improved battery pack has helped improve the claimed range on the scooter to 195 km on a single charge. The new S1 Pro has also received redesigned alloy wheels and a utilitarian single-piece grab rail, while the boot space shrunk by 2 litres and now stands at 34 litres. The e-scooter is available in five colours – Jet Black, Matt White, Stellar, Midnight Blue, and Amethyst.
Commenting on the commencement of deliveries, an Ola spokesperson said, “We are extremely delighted to start the deliveries of our flagship scooter S1 Pro Gen 2. With the best specs, and cutting-edge technology, the new S1 Pro is one of the most advanced scooters in the country. Building on the success of the S1 Pro Gen 1, we are confident that the S1 Pro Gen 2 will play a pivotal role in accelerating #EndICEAge in the segment.”
Potential customers can book the Ola S1 Pro Gen2 via the company’s app or website. Customers can also check out the e-scooter in person at over 1,000 experience centres across the country. We rode the S1 Pro Gen2 earlier this year and while it was impressive for all the upgrades on offer, the electric scooter did lose on the finesse expected from Ola’s flagship offering.
Electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy has taken to its X handle to help customers reboot their scooter dashboard if it has got stuck after receiving an emergency alert test notification from the government. The OEM posted a YouTube video link demonstrating the procedure to reboot the dashboard. This comes after many citizens received the emergency test notification on their phones on Tuesday.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 12 Oct 2023, 17:00 PM
The EV maker said that the owner will need to reboot the scooter dashboard by holding both brakes and then pressing the start switch for 10 seconds. “If your dashboard stopped responding following the message… This should restore normal functioning,” the tweet read.
In a separate development, the company recently released a fresh OTA update for the 450X customers, which now shows energy recuperation through regeneration on the model’s digital console. The feature has been rolled out for the Ather 450X Gen3 and Gen2 customers so far.
The digital dashboard on the Ather 450X shows the regen at work whether using Active or Braking regen feature. Regenerative braking essentially allows the vehicle to convert energy lost while braking into powering the battery, which in turn extends the range of the vehicle. This is why, electric vehicles with regenerative braking will offer even better range in the city, where instances of braking are higher.
The Ather 450X is currently priced from ₹1.38 lakh onwards for the 2.9 kWh battery pack. It’s available in two variants – Core and Pro – with the latter priced at ₹1.53 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom, Bengaluru. The company has temporarily stopped accepting bookings for the 3.7 kWh battery pack at the moment.
Ola Electric’s scooters have been spotted on the Buddh International Circuit track ahead of the upcoming MotoGP Bharat 2023, scheduled between September 22 and 24, 2023. Also, three-time MotoGP world champion and the safety advisor for the upcoming event, Loris Capriossi was seen taking the Ola electric scooter for a spin on the BIC track. The electric vehicle manufacturer has posted several images on social media of its scooters on the BIC tracks. The EV company is the industry partner of the event.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 20 Sep 2023, 13:31 PM
Ola Electric is expected to showcase its Diamondhead electric motorcycle at the upcoming MotoGP Bharat event. The Diamondhead is the superbike concept that the EV manufacturer revealed on August 15 this year. This futuristic sportsbike is slated to launch within a few years as part of Ola Electric’s range of electric motorcycles, which were showcased in concept forms in August.
Watch: Ola Electric motorcycle concepts breaks cover | To launch in 2024
The Ola Diamondhead comes with a diamond-shaped panel at the front, which paved the way for the nomenclature. The diamond panel gets a sleek LED strip, while the actual LED headlamp sits beneath the beak. The concept sportsbike was showcased as a semi-faired model.
The pure electric Ola sportsbike gets disc brakes on both front and rear wheels, while the rear wheel comes covered in order to achieve better aerodynamic efficiency. Another exciting fact about this bike is that the front suspension looks completely unconventional as it is positioned almost parallel to the ground. Other design elements of the Ola Diamondhead include a sleek LED strip at the tip of the tail section acting as a taillight.
Besides the Ola Diamondhead, Ola Electric is also expected to showcase its other electric motorcycle concepts at the event. The other models include a cruiser, a roadster and an adventure motorcycle, which all were showcased in August this year.
Ola Electric invited HT Auto to its FutureFactory in Tamil Nadu to sample the second-generation S1 Pro. The electric scooter has seen massive upgrades since it was first revealed in August 2021, only this time the upgrades extend to the hardware apart from the numerous over-the-air (OTA) revisions that the model received over the years.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 16 Aug 2023, 17:14 PM
The Gen2 Ola S1 Pro is now underpinned by a new platform and gets a more powerful motor and safer battery pack. Ola says that these changes were necessary as an evolutionary step in the product’s lifecycle, determined by functionality, costs and overall user experience. We had a brief ride astride the Gen2 Ola S1 Pro and here are our quick impressions of the same.
The Gen2 Ola S1 Pro has moved up to the new platform that now underpins the Ola range including the S1 Air and the all-new S1X. The new chassis has moved from a tubular frame to a hybrid architecture with a redesigned rear subframe. It uses 70 per cent fewer parts than before, which translates to 14 per cent lighter weight on the frame itself. The new frame also makes way for a flat floorboard as we saw on the S1 Air.
Ola has also moved to a double-sided swingarm at the rear instead of a single-sided unit on the Gen1 version. The panel covers have been dropped on either side. The result is a swingarm with exposed welds and houses the single-shock absorber at the rear, all of which are visible to the eye and look rather unfinished than they did on the Gen1 S1 Pro.
The Gen2 S1 Pro has also moved to the conventional telescopic front forks as against the single-sided front fork design seen on the Gen1 version. This is a big step for the company considering it claimed the robustness of its single-sided fork design over the last few years. Instead, the telescopic forks are now standard across the lineup. Ola says the new forks are not only cost-effective but also provide the same results as the front monoshock did previously in terms of rigidity.
On the design front, the S1 Pro Gen2 gets subtle changes. The headlamp design is the same but now houses new internals. The LED taillight is slimmer and gets the smoked treatment. The split grab rails make way for the single-piece unit from the S1 Air that looks built to cost. Lastly, the multi-spoke alloy wheels have been replaced with new 5-spoke alloy wheels, which we are told are lighter and more cost-effective.
Furthermore, the revised design has shrunk the under-seat storage capacity by two litres, which now stands at 34 litres. It’s still a sizeable space with a flat bottom and will store everything from a portable charger to grocery bags, two half-face helmets and more. A full-size helmet still won’t fit here. The Gen2 model sits taller by 5 mm at 805 mm, while the ground clearance is reduced to 160 mm, down by 3 mm. Other cycle parts remain the same including the disc brakes at either end from ByBre and the horizontally-stacked rear single-shock.
The new S1 Pro now uses a centralised computing system. This brings a shorter wiring harness across the vehicle integrating all the critical functions and reducing the weight by 8 per cent and energy consumption by 25 per cent. This should also make the vehicle more reliable with most functions. Overall, the Gen2 S1 Pro is about 25 per cent cheaper to manufacture.
Gen2 Ola S1 Pro: New powertrain
The Gen2 Ola S1 Pro utilises a redesigned electric motor that integrates the Motor Control Unit (MCU). The result is a lighter motor overall, which is also 30 per cent more powerful than before. Peak power stands at 11 kW (14.7 bhp) with continuous output at 5 kW (6.7 bhp), as against a peak of 8.5 kW (11.3 bhp) and continuous power of 5.5 kW (7.3 bhp). The end result is a higher top speed of 120 kmph, as against 115 kmph on the Gen1 S1 Pro, while 0-40 kmph comes up in just 2.6 seconds, 0.3 seconds faster than the predecessor.
The Gen2 battery pack uses 33 per cent fewer parts than before and gets an upgraded Battery Management System (BMS) for improved thermal performance. Still a 4 kWh unit, it’s been redesigned for better insulation and wiring. The changes help make it more efficient with a claimed range of 195 km on a single charge, as opposed to 181 km on the Gen1 model. We’ll need to spend some more time with the new S1 Pro to determine its range in real-world conditions.
Gen2 Ola S1 Pro: Riding experience
The overall changes have helped shave off 5 kg from the Gen2 S1 Pro, which now has a kerb weight of 116 kg. On the move, the electric scooter feels faster and there’s a notable difference in acceleration, especially in the Hyper mode. In our brief ride within the factory premises, the Gen2 S1 Pro impressed with its acceleration and there’s a certain excitement whenever you twist the throttle. It’s not clear though how long can we hold on to the top speed or sustain high-speed acceleration without heating up the battery pack.
Some of the older issues also crop up. It’s not as smooth as some of its rivals and the e-scooter tends to accelerate with a lag of a few milliseconds after giving the input. The motor cuts off the moment you brake, which will make riding in crawling traffic a problem. That said, braking remains strong with little and the ride quality was gentle for the most part. The riding posture remains comfortable as ever and is a highlight of the scooter.
Ola has also managed to retain the 7-inch touchscreen digital console, which is shared with the S1 Air. The unit gets a lower resolution now at 800×480 but it does not largely hamper your viewing experience. However, fit and finish still remain key problematic areas with the S1 Pro. From panel gaps to exposed welds, there’s plenty Ola can do to make the model better finished before it reaches customers.
Priced at ₹1.47 (ex-showroom), the Gen2 Ola S1 Pro gets significant upgrades that make it more capable in the segment. The new offering is about ₹7,500 more expensive than its predecessor, which is marginal considering the bulk of changes. If you’ve been eyeing to bring the S1 Pro home, this version does much better on most counts even though cost-cutting remains evident. A more detailed review will come up soon once we get the e-scooter in our hands.
Bengaluru-based start-up Simple Energy has trademarked ‘Dot One’ and ‘Simple Dot One’ nameplates in India hinting at two new electric scooters in the works. The two new e-scooters will most likely be variants of each other with a few differences. Sources suggest the upcoming Simple Dot One and Dot One e-scooters will be positioned below the Simple One, launched earlier this year. The upcoming offerings will take on the newly-launched Ather 450S, Ola S1 Air and TVS iQube in the segment.
By: Sameer Fayaz Contractor | Updated on: 11 Aug 2023, 15:15 PM
The Simple Dot One and Dot One e-scooters are expected to arrive as early as October with a range of about 180 km on a single charge. The company is likely to use the same platform as the One but plonk a smaller battery and fewer features to make it more cost-effective.
Currently, the Simple One is priced from ₹1.45 lakh (ex-showroom, after FAME II subsidy) onwards, which positions itself at the premium end of the electric scooter segment. Do note that the One was originally announced with an asking price of ₹1.10 lakh (ex-showroom). However, the revision in FAME II subsidies meant the pricing witnessed a significant price bump, much like the rest of the competition.
The more affordable Simple Dot One and Dot One aim to make the e-scooter more accessible. At present, the One e-scooter comes equipped with an 8.5 kW (11.3 bhp) electric motor with a continuous power output of 4.5 kW (6 bhp) and a peak torque of 72 Nm. The model can sprint from 0-40 kmph in 2.77 seconds with a top speed of 105 kmph, which makes it one of the fastest scooters in its class.
The Simple One gets a claimed range of 212 km on a single charge from its 5 kWh battery pack. The charging time will also differ, should the model not get fast charging. The Simple Dot One and Dot One will be built at the company’s facility in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu, with an annual production capacity of 10 lakh units. At the time of launch, Simple Energy said that it had over 1 lakh bookings for the One e-scooter, and the numbers should increase further when the Dot One hits the market. The start-up has begun deliveries of the One only in Bengaluru so far, while other cities should get the model in the coming months.
Ather Energy has released a new teaser on social media, which reveals that they will be launching the three electric scooters on 11th August. What has been confirmed is the launch of the 450S, which will be the most affordable electric scooter in Ather’s lineup. As of now, the manufacturer is selling only the 450X in the Indian market. It is offered in two versions – with the Pro Pack and without the Pro Pack.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 08 Aug 2023, 15:43 PM
So, it can be expected that the two remaining scooters will be updated versions of the 450X electric scooter. One gripe that many people have reported is the charging time of the Ather 450X without the Pro Pack. So, there is a possibility that Ather might just reduce the battery size to reduce charging times. Apart from this, there is a possibility that Ather will also update the 450X electric scooter. However, nothing has been confirmed yet. The manufacturer will not be introducing a new design language or platform as of now. This was confirmed when Ather launched Atherstack 5.0.
Speaking of the new scooter, the Ather 450S will look more or less the same as the 450X. However, it will come with a new LCD display with coloured elements. So, it is expected that the 450S will miss out on Google Maps and connected technology. Ather is promising a claimed range of 115 km on a single charge and a top speed of 90 kmph. It is expected that the 450S will use the same electric motor as the 450X, considering the top speed of both electric scooters is the same.
Ather Energy has already revealed the pricing details of the upcoming 450S electric scooter. It will be available at an introductory price of ₹129,999 (ex-showroom). Ather has not revealed to what extent the introductory pricing will be available for consumers.
Ather Energy is all set to unveil its next big electric scooter on August 3. The EV startup has been teasing its upcoming Ather 450S for the last few weeks. Slated to be unveiled on August 11, the Ather 450S is going to be the brand’s most affordable electric scooter, which will compete with rivals like Ola S1 Air, just like the Ather 450X competes with the Ola S1 Pro. The upcoming electric scooter will arrive as a toned-down and cheaper version of the manufacturer’s flagship model 450X.
By: HT Auto Desk | Updated on: 02 Aug 2023, 15:29 PM
Ather Energy has already revealed the pricing details of the upcoming 450S electric scooter. It will be available at an introductory price of ₹129,999 (ex-showroom). Ather has not revealed to what extent the introductory pricing will be available for the consumers. The design of the upcoming 450S remains a mystery.
Watch: Ola S1 Pro vs Ather 450X vs Okinawa Praise Pro: Range, charging, performance compared
Ather has revealed that the Ather 450S will come featuring a different instrument cluster compared to the 450X. It would feature an LCD panel with a lack of connectivity and navigational features compared to 450X. It could miss out on cloud connectivity, Google Map functionality and Bluetooth connectivity as well. Also, expect it to come with a joystick for controlling the screen.
The Ather 450S is claimed to come promising a 115 km range on a single charge, at a top speed of 90 kmph. However, the EV manufacturer has not revealed any further specification details of the upcoming scooter. Considering the top speed of the 450S same as the 450X, it could come powered by the same motor as the flagship model. The electric motor is capable of churning out 8.58 bhp of peak power and 26 Nm of maximum torque. Ather 450X gets energy from a 3.7 kWh battery pack that delivers a 146 km range on a single charge. Considering the fact that 450S will offer a 115 km range on a full charge, it could come powered by a smaller 3 kWh battery pack.