Chennai: The highly-anticipated Ola electric scooter has created a huge buzz ahead of its launch. Bookings for the scooter, whose specifications and prices have not yet been revealed, started on Friday for a token amount of Rs 499.
In just 24 hours, the company has managed to get more than 1 lakh bookings — surely a record in Indian automobile industry.
Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola Chairman and Group CEO, said: “I am thrilled to see the tremendous response from customers across India for our first electric vehicle. The unprecedented demand is a clear indicator of shifting consumer preferences to EVs. This is a huge step forward in our mission to transition the world to sustainable mobility. I thank all the consumers who have booked the Ola Scooter and have joined the EV revolution. This is only the beginning!”
What’s interesting is that Ola is building the world’s biggest 2-wheeler factory in Tamil Nadu with a capacity of 2 million EVs per year. The scale is expected to keep prices competitive – a key factor in EV adoption.
The scooter is based on Amsterdam-based Etergo, which Ola acquired in May 2020.
Like most electric scooters, Ola is expected to load smart features like app-based functions and touchscreen displays. It highlights class-leading 50 litres under-seat storage space.
Range Of Ola Electric Scooter
This is obviously the biggest question among interested people. The range has not been revealed yet, but Ola’s CEO has promised class-leading numbers. A leaked report suggests that the range could be as high as 140-150km on a single charge. Currently, premium electric scooters like Ather, Bajaj Chetak, TVS iCube, etc. have range around 80-110 km. The battery in Ola’s scooter could be removable too.
As far as colours are concerned, black, blue and pink are confirmed.
Price Of Ola Electric Scooter
Another important question. Going by the scale and hype, it is expected to be priced around Rs 1 lakh (ex-showroom). The official launch is believed to take place in July-end.
Should You Book One?
If you are fed up with petrol prices, electric scooters are definitely a great option. The running cost can be as low as 10-20 paise per km. Do watch out for range. Most electric scooters offer decent range for in-city travel. The Rs 499 booking amount is fully refundable. There could be introductory offers during the launch, as with most vehicles in India. Also, EVs are better for the environment.
