OLA S1 Pro has been deemed as a public enemy #1. However, the newer variant of the two-wheeler is doing things differently than the rest of the scooter community. Do not buy the scooter before reading this article.  

The EV Revolution 

In recent years, the Indian population has shown some remarkable acceptance towards electric vehicles and bikes. As a result, it is safe to say that the electric revolution is upon us. Hence, the market has become more and more receptive towards newer brands who want to bring something new to the table. One such brand is OLA. 

OLA is primarily a cab service that transitioned from that to a vehicle manufacturing company. OLA S1 and OLA S1 Pro were the culmination of that endeavor. Regardless of the user reviews, the scooters were actually trendsetters. Therefore, OLA started a trend that everyone else had perfected.  

Why Should You Go EV?

Going electric is a choice that everyone needs to make. It is high time that people realized the importance of going full electric and the ways it can help. Earlier, this was problematic as the infrastructure was not suited for a complete switch.  

However, 2024 is a conducive time for that complete shift. But I think that the Indian population still needs convincing. As a result, this section will exclusively discuss some of the most prominent and essential reasons why you should go electric.   

Here we go! 

Low Running Cost 

One of the foremost reasons for buying an OLA S1 Pro or any other EV is its lower running cost. If you were living under a rock, let me tell you that EVs are a better alternative to ICE-powered two-wheelers.  

This is primarily due to the fact that ICE vehicles run on non-renewable fossil fuels, unlike EVs. Therefore, ICE vehicles tend to need more fuel in order to run. However, EVs run on renewable electricity. Hence, the running cost of an EV is less than an ICE bike or scooter. 

Low Maintenance 

ICE vehicles are manufactured while keeping modularity in mind. This means an ICE vehicle has a lot more moving parts than EVs. This is a double-edged sword. You can easily swap out the faulty part, and your car will move fine. However, this enhances overall wearing down over an extended period of time.  

EVs, on the other hand, contain fewer moving parts. This means that you can only replace one component. This might sound more expensive, but it is actually the opposite. The maintenance cost of EVs is much lower than that of ICE vehicles. Hence, EVs are a great money-saver 

Zero Emission

Nigh is the hour for sustainability. In other words, now is the time for users to prioritise sustainability over everything else. Otherwise, we might be looking at an early extinction. As a result, it is high time that people start realizing that we need to leave a smaller carbon footprint than before.  

EVs are the next step towards a more sustainable future. This is primarily because EVs have a lower tailpipe emission rate. In other words, EVs do not pollute the environment at the same rate as ICE vehicles do. This should be a big enough reason to switch.  

Financial Benefits 

I have already stated that EVs are much lighter on our pockets. This means that owning and operating EVs is easier on the pockets. However, the financial benefits of the brand go beyond maintenance and running costs. 

In an attempt to popularise and mainstream EVs, the government has decided to give out frequent financial cookies to its users. As a result, the company has given out frequent and multiple bonuses. These bonuses come in the form of frequent tax rebates and financial aid to EV users.  

Convenient Charging 

Last but not least is the convenience of charging at home. Imagine filling up gas at home before leaving for work. It sounds too good to be true. Well, EVs come with this convenience. This means you can quickly charge your vehicle at home.  

This is one of the most convenient and essential features that sets EVs apart from all other formats of vehicles. For example, you can quickly charge your OLA S1 pro at home without any extra charges. Hence, refueling is a convenient and easy task to deal with.  

Initial Observation

I approach a vehicle in an objective manner while reviewing. However, the news of a man burning his OLA Scooter out of frustration was still in my head. As a result, I was apprehensive and prejudiced towards this electric scooter.  

I am 5 feet 11 inches tall and weigh around 85 kilograms. As a result, I was apprehensive about the scooter’s ability to carry me. However, my initial experience was pretty smooth, yet it was an underpowered experience.  

For me, the bike checked all the basic tickboxes like practicality, cost-efficiency, etc. However, the machine felt underpowered. The company claims that OLA S1 Pro scooters can run as fast as 120 kilometers per hour. However, the scooter felt unstable after hitting 90 kilometers per hour. The scooter started wobbling dangerously, and I felt underconfident to push the machine to its limits.  

Currently, the OLA S1 Pro comes with three distinctive modes: Normal, Eco, and Sports Mode. I personally was not able to identify the difference between these modes. However, the sports mode made the scooter feel more agile and peppy. Otherwise, the modes mainly were identical.  

As per my initial reaction, I feel that the scooter is underpowered. However, it is efficient and can be a great option as a commuter vehicle. Anything more than that, the scooter would struggle.  

Features & The Practicality 

The best part of the scooter is its practicality. OLA S1 Pro is a primarily reliable scooter that is very easy to carry in one’s pockets. This means that the scooter is an excellent choice for people who want functionality over anything.  

In this section, I will exclusively talk about some of the most important and practical features that the brand offers. Therefore, you need to stick around in order to understand the features and the sense of practicality that the vehicle offers.  

Here we go! 

The Navigation 

OLA S1 Pro comes with a neat navigation system. This navigation system is advanced and offers some fantastic benefits to the users. This feature is powered by the MapMyIndia platform.  

As of now, the navigation system effectively works and does not demonstrate any glitchy behavior. However, the navigation system tends to need to correct routes at times. In other words, the navigation system projects the wrong travel estimation time.  

This might not be a deal breaker, but the company should look into it. Otherwise, users might be driven away due to such technical issues.  

The Phone Application

One of the best things about OLA S1 is the overall phone connectivity application. However, the application opens after a few days. As per general user reviews, the application lets you log in around 4 to 5 days after purchasing. This waiting period is a little too long. 

Once enabled, the first-party application looks at different aspects like the proximity sensors, engine kill switch, the map, etc. Therefore, the application can be helpful if used effectively. However, the application is in its beta testing stage. As a result, there are some things that could be improved, including the start-up and overall functionality.  

Bluetooth Connectivity 

Bluetooth connectivity has become one of the most basic necessities in recent times. Every vehicle is trying to master the art of Bluetooth connectivity. OLA executed this feature amazingly. The scooter features state-of-the-art Bluetooth connectivity.  

The best part about the whole deal is that the Bluetooth connectivity is actually functional. In other words, you can actually take calls and use the connectivity to do some things differently. Furthermore, the vehicle features a distinct party mode that allows your music system to sync with your headlights. This enables your scooter to become the party starter. It’s a pointless but favorite detail.  

Cruise Control

Finally, my favorite feature of the OLA S1 Pro was the cruise control. This is one of the standalone features that has made this scooter a fun-to-ride vehicle. Personally, I found that cruise control was super addictive and could help riders enjoy the ease of slow riding and cruising the highway.  

For me, the cruise control is perfect for highway riding. The mode locks the accelerator and lets users feel the beauty of cruising down the highway at breakneck speeds. Breakneck speeds might be a little too much, but you get the idea, right? That is what cruise control is all about.  

Some Interesting Observations 

I have already recorded my initial reactions to the scooter. However, there are some observations that I would like to record as well. Here we go: 

First things first, the scooter lights are powerful and can illuminate a wide area. However, the beams of light are pretty piercing, and some users claim that the light actually blinds the oncoming traffic. This is a huge deal that can even cause accidents. 

This may be subjective, but the scooter has slippery handles. In other words, the company could have used traction rubber to make the handle pads. This is also concerning, as one wrong slip could lead to a significant disaster. Therefore, you need to be careful.  

OLA S1 Pro vs OLA S1 

OLA released S1 and OLA S1 Pro with the hopes of taking over the EV market. Even though that did not happen, it opened the floodgates that were closed earlier. As a result, these two electric scooters need special attention and love from the Indian two-wheeler community. However, the real question is which one is better? Here we go: 

• OLA S1 comes with a battery pack of 2.98 kWh. Meanwhile, OLA S1 Pro comes with a battery poach of 3.97 kWh. 
• OLA S1 takes around 4 hours to charge. Meanwhile, OLA S1 Pro takes around 6.5 hours to charge. 
• OLA S1 has an overall range of around 121 kilometers. Meanwhile, OLA S1 Pro has a total range of around 181 kilometers. 
• OLA S1 takes around 3.6 seconds to go from 0 to 40 km/hr. Meanwhile, OLA S1 Pro takes around 3 seconds to go from 0 to 40 km/hr.  
• Both bikes have around 50 liters of under-seat storage space. 
• As per the company mandate, OLA S1 can hit a top speed of around 90 kilometers per hour. Meanwhile, OLA S1 Pro has a top speed of 115 km/hr. However, these figures are incorrect as both scooters have mostly similar top speeds.  
• OLA S1 comes with two primary riding modes: Sports and Normal. However, OLA S1 Pro comes with three distinctive riding modes, including the Normal, Eco, and Sports mode.  

Some Competitors Of OLA S1 Pro 

OLA S1 Pro might be an industry leader in terms of innovation, but there are more efficient and well-made scooters out there. In fact, several users claim that the scooter has some really nasty quirks that have made this scooter a Public Enemy #1. As a result, users need to know some of the best and most trusted OLA S1 Pro alternatives that you need to know about: 

Simple One: This is one of the most innovative electric scooters in existence. The brand has kept things simple and has made a revolutionary scooter that every rider needs to know about.  

TVS iQube: TVS has already set itself up as one of the most celebrated and trusted two-wheeler brands in the country. As a result, TV S iQube is more than just a scooter. It is a testament to Indian engineering and artistry.  

Suzuki Burgman Electric: Suzuki Burgman has already been one of the most sought-after scooters in recent history. As a result, it is no mystery that the scooter’s electric variant would be equally famous.  

The Final Thought 

With that, you have reached my personal review of OLA S1 Pro. It is a fantastic bike that has taken over the two-wheeler community in ways that the company did not anticipate. Nonetheless, S1 Pro opened the gates for Indian engineers who want to take the two-wheeler community to the next level.

Additional Reading:

• Top 5 Off Road Electric Scooters In 2024
• Top Electric Convertible Cars That You Can Buy In 2024 & Beyond
• Question For EV Owners: How Much Does It Cost To Charge A Tesla
• Fat Tire Electric Scooters: Everything A New Buyer Needs To Know