Ultra-low priced e-scooter targets India's enormous gig economy.
Indian EV manufacturer Ola Electric has announced the launch of a new range of radically cheap electric scooters, complete with swappable batteries, that'll set riders back a fraction of the cost of a typical e-bike.
The two-wheelers are designed specifically for India’s gig workers and marks a major release in the commercial electric bike segment, thanks to a jaw-dropping set of price tags. There are four new models: Ola Gig, Ola Gig+, Ola S1 Z, and Ola S1 Z+. The Gig models are specifically designed for commercial use and start at US$472. It's a remarkable price. Even the cheapest proper Chinese e-scooters don’t come in at $500.
The S1 Z series is targeted at urban commuters, students, and seniors. These new models start at just over US$700.
India's gig economy is expected to have around 10 million workers within a few years, and Ola's bikes are attempting to snare them by offering such attractive prices. Furthermore, with swappable batteries, no precious time is wasted on charging. The entry level scooter has a range of 70 miles (112 km) and a top speed of 15 mph (25 km/h). Meanwhile, the S1 Z series offers a range of up to 90 miles (146 km). It can go as fast as 49 mph (70 km/h).
Ola Electric's website is already accepting reservations for all four variants in India, with deliveries slated to commence in April 2025.