Ola's New E-Scooters: Cheap Thrills With Swappable Batteries
Image Credit: Ola Electric.
Ola Electric is at it again. Just when you thought they couldn't possibly stir the pot any further after their electric motorcycle debacle (we all remember that photo-op, don't we?), they've come out swinging with a new range of e-scooters that are, shall we say, aggressively priced. I mean, we're talking cheaper than a weekend in Vegas!
What could possibly be so exciting about a budget e-scooter? Bear with me, because these little scooters have a few tricks up their sleeves.
Image Credit: Ola Electric.
The big ticket item first - the price. Ola has clearly aimed these scooters squarely at India's gig economy, with the base model, the Ola Gig, coming in at a mind-boggling $472. That's less than a round of drinks at some fancy bars I've been to. For that, you get a removable 1.5-kWh battery that'll supposedly take you 70 miles on a single charge. Don't expect to be breaking any land speed records on this thing, as the top speed is a measly 15 mph. At least you'll have plenty of time to admire the scenery, right?
If you need a bit more oomph, there's the Ola Gig+, which, for a still-reasonable $590, offers a dual-battery setup that bumps the range up to a claimed 97 miles. It also gets a slight speed boost to 28 mph, which should help you keep up with the flow of the rickshaw traffic.
Image Credit: Ola Electric.
But the real star of the show here is the swappable battery system. Ola is making a lot of fuss about this, and for good reason. It means you can simply pop out the depleted battery and swap it for a fresh one, eliminating the downtime associated with charging. They've even developed a "PowerPod" that turns the battery into a portable inverter, so you can power your appliances in case of a blackout. That my friend, is what I call thinking outside the box.
Of course, these scooters aren't just for gig workers. Ola has also the S1 Z series, that's more for urban commuters, students, and seniors. These models start at $700 and offer a bit more performance, with a top speed of 49 mph and a claimed range of 90 miles. They also come with a larger LCD instrument panel and thicker tires, for those who like a bit more comfort and tech.
Image Credit: Ola Electric.
Here's the thing, though. These scooters? They aren't exactly lookers. They're pretty basic in the design department, and they won't turn any heads on the street. But when you're paying less than a grand for an electric scooter, you can't really expect Italian design flair, can you?
The big question, of course, is whether Ola can deliver on its promises. The company has a bit of a checkered past, with its electric motorcycles launching to a collective groan from the global audience. Add to it their reputation for shoddy customer service in India, and you can understand why I'll believe it when I see it.
That being said, if Ola can pull this off, these scooters could give them a serious advantage over their rivals. I mean, even the cheapest Chinese e-motos don't come close to this price point. So, if you're looking for a cheap and cheerful way to get around town, and you're not too bothered about looks or top speed, then these Ola e-scooters might just be worth a look. Just don't come crying to me if they break down on you.
