We all have usually seen the ‘OLA’ logo on the top of the cab, but now this logo is seen shining on a very stylish looking electric scooter too. After logistical delays and several phone calls, finally got a chance to test ride the Ola S1 scooter on a pleasant evening in Bengaluru. There is also a twist in this that the model given for this ride was not a full-fledged product, but a production ready version running on the beta version of Ola’s in-house software.
Varun Dubey, Chief Marketing Officer, Ola Electric Mobility, says that, compared to regular scooters, the Ola S1 and Ola S1 Pro will only be better equipped to fine tune and optimize software with timely over-the-air updates.
Key features mentioned in the first ed are still a few updates away, including hill hold feature (you can start the scooter on a slope without rolling), voice-activated commands, remote unlocking via the phone app, playing music in speakers and more. Visual mood, which changes the sound and layout of the instrument cluster, is included.
Ola Electric is to be commended for its design. The S1 Pro has a slim, taut look, with no visible panel gaps, a great paint finish, and a wide and comfortable seat, making it practical for everyone.
It is a clean, noiseless design with the different color variants making it stand out from the others. The headlamp unit is positioned where it should be – above the fairing and between the handlebars. The rubber-mounted grab handles looked a bit unusual considering the electric powertrain was vibration-free, but safety is a must for the Ola Electric.
The 7-inch touchscreen system is fast and smooth, working well despite the rain. If there’s one element that needs to be seen, it’s a backlight for the button panels on either side of the handle. You’ll feel the need when you’re tumbling around in the dark, trying to power-up the scooter.
performance
Certainly, the S1’s performance credentials set it apart from the multitude of e-scooters thriving at startup. Ola has long claimed that the S1 Pro will be the best performing e-scooter in the world.
It gets a 3.98 kWh battery, which is 1 kWh bigger than the S1. Along with the bigger battery, the S1 Pro gets an additional riding mode called “Hyper”, where the battery fully unleashes its kinetic power.
Buyers can also enter a six-digit code to unlock the scooter, prime it for the button-operated starting function, which starts with a clear oral note emanating from the scooter’s speakers. You can also lock and unlock the scooter through the app.
“Sport” mode gives you a little more range than “Normal”. It is the best point between “Hyper” and “Normal”, delivering great performance while salvaging a few more kilometers over the entire range.
When it comes to performance, the S1 Pro is a pretty straightforward, point-and-shoot device. The S1 performed well even on gravel roads and in rain. The power cuts completely as soon as the brake is pressed, but it is not right in between. Overall, the scooter feels light and easy to ride.
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