Ola S1 Pro: While India gears up for the electric shift, Ola Electric has earned a reputation for being one of the major disruptors.
Billed as the brand’s flagship electric scooter, the Ola S1 Pro promises to set new benchmarks for what we should want out of an electric vehicle on the factors of performance, design, feature set and of course, carbon consciousness.
Looking like it came from the future and packing a tech-heavy spec sheet, the S1 Pro is an appealing alternative to regular petrol scoots. But is it more than just a spectacle? Let’s explore.
Futuristic aesthetics with powereful look
Ola S1 Pro stands out in the design departmentThe Ola S1 Pro has an instant visual differentiation.
Clean flowing lines, flush fitted panels and minimalist styling make it look like a product from the future.
Available in an assortment of bright and matte colors, the scooter is ready to perform for those that like subtle shades and those that prefer bold.
Its round DRL-fitted LED headlamp, flush rear grab rails and hidden exhaust and vents play their parts in adding to its futuristic appearance.
The scooter is big and it’s wide, having what I’d call a huge road presence and it feels more like a maxi-scooter rather than a small-scale city commuter.
There’s no doubt that the attention to detail for the fit and finish has stepped up over previous versions, but riders may still be greeted by some slight variations in perfect panels.
High-Tech Features for the Plugged-In Rider
The S1 Pro’s loaded tech suite is one of the biggest attraction points of this system. The dash comes with a 7-inch touchscreen TFT that runs the MoveOS – Ola’s custom operating system.
The system includes Bluetooth, built-in monochrome navigation, Eco, Normal, Sport and Hyper riding modes, cruise control, music, and proximity unlock.
The scooter will also support over-the-air (OTA) updates, which means its features can be updated and enhanced over a period of time, a feature that hardly any two-wheelers provide currently.
Add to that voice command and controls, hill-hold assist and reverse mode, and more, and you get a pretty future-world-looking board all around.
Performance That Surprises
But the Ola S1 Pro is not all about aesthetics and features — it delivers some serious performance as well. With 8.5 kW (11.3 bhp) of electric power, it can accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in 2.9 seconds.
It has a velocity of up to 120 km/h and that makes it one of the fastest electric scooters in India.
In Hyper mode, it feels vibrant too, highest moments being when you’re overtaking in city traffic or cruising on open roads.
They are claimed to offer an 180 km range, although slightly less is more typical in the real world—around 100-120 km depending on mode and weather.
It gets a 4 kWh battery that takes around 6.5 hours to reach 100 per cent charge using a standard home charger, and about 2.5 hours with Ola’s Hypercharger fast-charging infrastructure.
Ride Quality and Handling
Suspension on the S1 Pro includes a single front fork and rear monoshock, engineered for city comfort.
It handles potholes without a fuss, though it can feel a touch firm on rougher roads.
Large 12-inch wheels and a low center of gravity provide great handling, while a rugged chassis and suspension-enhanced ride comfort on bumpy terrain.
braking is provided by disc brakes front and rear with regen. The regen system is very natural, and it adds a bit of range.
At about 125 kg, the scooter is bit on the heavier side, but the sudden torque from the electric motor makes up for the weight.
Pros:
Fashionable Futuristic Design Limited Edition with Premium Features
Great road manners with nimble handling and responsive steering efficient and quick acceleration high-quality interior traction-enhancing all-wheel-drive systems excellent crash test scores.
Jam packed with clever features such as touchscreen, navigation and OTA updates
Good claimed range; quick-charging network expanding
Petrol scooter eco-friendly equivalent
Cons:
Actual range will have many factors such as rider weight, terrain, ambient temperature, and the personal riding style.
Firm ride on rough roads.
A few users claim that the software is buggy.
No passenger backrest or real tour features
Ola S1 Pro: Final Thoughts
More than just an electric scooter, the Ola S1 Pro is a statement of ambition.
The aerodynamic, high-end design of the Stromer ST1 X e-bike is popular with tech-savvy commuters, and is available in 3 classy metallic color options.
It’s got some rough edges, particularly when it comes to the software stability, let alone ride comfort, but it’s a brave, able vehicle in rising EV market, with more than a few tricks up its sleeve.
However, for riders prepared to go electric without sacrificing appearance and thrust, preparer for a powerful and compelling choice.