Ola S1X Plus: India’s electrification of mobility space is fast gaining momentum and Ola Electric has been shaping up to be one of the key protagonists of this wave.
With the launch of the Ola S1X Plus, the company hopes to bring a value-for-money electric scooter while not skimping on core performance, technology or range.
Sitting in between the base S1X and the range-topping S1 Pro, the S1X Plus manages to be a nice middle-ground for affordability and practical usability.
Ola S1X Plus, targeted at young urban commuters, college goers and anyone who wants daily dose of fun with low running costs, has been designed to offer the fundamental mobility requirements in a future-relevant package.
Design – It’s Simple, Clean and You’ve Seen It Before
In terms of the design, the Ola S1X Plus goes on to follow the same design language that we have seen with the S1 family.
It looks minimal with clean lines smoothly flowing into each other and the twin pod LED headlamp up front.
The clean sides of the panels have minimal branding and bright, youth-oriented color ways.
The scooter rolls on tough 12-inch wheels, and a built-in flat footboard enhances the value.
The design isn’t shouty, but it is a modest, futuristic confidence that matches its electric character. All in all, it gets the modern look without getting too fussy about its shape.
Digital Features and Useful Tech
The S1X Plus is more than just a cheap model, as the design and technology is equally first-class.
It has a 5-inch digital display that tells users their speed, range, battery percentage and the riding mode they’re in. Its interface is user-friendly and easy to read, especially during sunny days.
Riders are also treated to features such as reverse mode, remote unlock via the Ola app and music controls.
It might be lacking the big touchscreen of the S1 Pro, but the S1X Plus feature set is plentiful for the average user.
The scooter is also supported by OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, which enables new features without having the need to visit a service centre.
We now have under seat storage of a useful 34 litres: no more cubic helmets or carrying rucksacks for commuters then.
Performance and Range
The Ola S1X Plus comes with a 2.7 kWh battery and a hub motor, good for about 6 kW of peak power.
The top speed is 90 km/h which more than adequate for city and occasional highway riding.
For range, you can bet on this scooter to give you up to 151 km (ARAI-certified) on a full charge – which is contingent on ideal conditions.
Range in the world is believed to be about 100~120 km, depending on riding style and terrain.
The scooter is powered by Eco, Normal and Sports riding modes. Eco mode for extended range, or Sport mode for more acceleration, and responsiveness.
The S1X Plus is a pleasure to drive in the city, with good pickup and a light touch on the controls. It’s nimble, easy to park and has good balance, even for beginners.
Charging and Maintenance
The S1X Plus is rechargeable via an AC charger. A RAPID CHARGE takes approximately 7.5 to 8 hours so overnight charging works very well.
Fast charging possibilities are being gradually expanded within cities, as part of Ola’s hypercharger network.
And because it’s an EV, maintenance is low. There are no oil changes, no clutch cables and there are fewer moving parts, so it’s cheaper to run and maintain than a petrol scooter.
Pros
Great value for the price with an amazing set of features
Decent, real world range for daily drive use.
Smart tech in stylish, modern design
Huge underseat storage and compact size
Low operational and maintenance costs
Cons
No touchscreen or high-tech display as seen on higher models
Slow charge time with standard home charger
Decent but not premium build in certain aspects
Inadequate fast-charging infrastructure in smaller towns
Performance takes a small hit in Eco mode
Ola S1X Plus: Verdict
The Ola S1X Plus is a great budget option for city riders on the hunt for a functional, good-looking and economic electric scooter.
It has the features which are adequate to be considered contemporary, enough range for daily riding and the cost of ownership is lesser than any petrol two wheeler in the long run.
Though it sacrifices some of the surface niceties of pricier EVs, it provides everything a rider actually needs — e-mobility at a very affordable price, with day-to-day practicality built in.