The electric two-wheeler in the Indian market has witnessed exponential growth in recent years. As environmental concerns grow and petrol prices continue to rise, electric scooters have emerged as a sustainable mobility solution for daily urban commuters. Several manufacturers, like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, Simple Energy, and Hero MotoCorp, have introduced high-speed performance scooters with smart features.
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What’s Driving the Rise in Electric Scooter Sales?
The electric two-wheeler market has grown exponentially in India thanks to a combination of factors:
- Government Support – FAME II subsidies and state EV policies have reduced prices and total cost of ownership of electric scooters significantly, making them affordable options for buyers.
- Rising Fuel Costs – With petrol and diesel prices continually hitting new highs, electric scooters with lower running costs per kilometer are becoming financially viable alternatives.
- Expanding Charging Infra – Companies like Ather, Ola, and others are rapidly setting up charging stations across cities to alleviate range anxiety.
- Environmental Concerns – Increased awareness about vehicular emissions and climate change is also turning buyers towards more eco-friendly electric vehicles.
- Continued Innovation – Homegrown startups like Ather, Ola Electric, and Simple Energy are launching advanced high-speed scooters with smart connectivity and swappable batteries.
- E-Scooter Sharing Market – The e-scooter sharing market in India is also witnessing rapid growth in tandem. It is projected to expand at a CAGR of 15.94% between 2024-2028, resulting in a market volume of $41.76 million in 2028.
According to industry estimates, 625,938 electric two-wheelers were sold in 2023 – a 41.7% rise over 2022 sales. Fueled by the above drivers, the market is projected to hit 1 million unit sales in 2024.
Feature-Rich, High-Performance Electric Scooters Flood the Market
As the electric revolution gathers momentum, brands are vying to capture market share with powerful and technologically advanced models. Here’s a feature comparison of some of the latest performance scooters available:
| Specification | Ather 450 Apex | Hero Vida V1 Pro | Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 | Simple One |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 90 km/h | 60 km/h | 115 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Range | 116 km | 85 km | 181 km | 100 km |
| Motor Power | 6 kW | 1.2 kW | 8.5 kW | 2.8 kW |
| Battery Capacity | 2.9 kWh | 2.4 kWh | 3.97 kWh | 2.4 kWh |
| Charging Time | 0-80% in 3.5 hrs | 4-5 hrs | 6 hrs (Normal) | 4-5 hrs |
| Weight | 108 kg | 74 kg | 125 kg | 89 kg |
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These high-speed electric scooters come equipped with smart connectivity and riding aids to offer a convenient riding experience. Their swappable battery architectures and fast charging capabilities also make daily charging hassle-free.
Ather 450 Apex – A Smart, Futuristic Electric Scooter
The Ather 450 Apex electric scooter is a high-performance electric scooter with several unique features. Some of the key features of the Ather 450 Apex include:
- Warp+ mode: The Ather 450 Apex features a Warp+ mode that provides instant acceleration and zero lag throttle-to-wheel response, allowing it to reach 0 to 40 km/h in just 2.9 seconds.
- Transparent design: The Ather 450 Apex has a unique transparent design that showcases its internal components, giving it a futuristic look.
- Magic Twist: The scooter comes with a chassis that features a stark orange color, drawing attention and making it stand out.
- Apex collectibles: Ather 450 Apex riders receive a handcrafted helmet, TPMS, and other accessories as part of the Apex collectibles package.
- 7-inch touchscreen TFT instrument cluster: The scooter features a 7-inch touchscreen TFT instrument cluster with an integrated Google Maps navigation suite.
- Warp+ Immersive UI: The Ather 450 Apex comes with a new Warp+ Immersive UI that provides a more engaging and interactive user experience.
- Top speed: The scooter has a top speed of 100 km/h.
- Riding range: The Ather 450 Apex has a riding range of 157 km/charge.
- Charging time: The scooter takes 5.45 hours to charge from 0 to 80%.
- Kerb weight: The Ather 450 Apex has a kerb weight of 111.6 kg.
- Front and rear disc brakes: The scooter comes with both front and rear disc brakes for improved safety and control.
Hero Vida V1 Pro – Reliable Option from Two-Wheeler Giant
The Hero Vida V1 Pro electric scooter is a stylish and feature-rich option in the electric scooter market. Some of its key features include:
- Range: The Vida V1 Pro has a range of 110 km/charge.
- Battery Capacity: The scooter comes with a 3.94 kWh battery.
- Kerb Weight: The Vida V1 Pro has a kerb weight of 125 kg.
- Top Speed: The scooter can reach a top speed of 80 km/h.
- Battery Warranty: The Vida V1 Pro comes with a 3-year battery warranty.
- Motor Power: The scooter features a 6 kW motor.
- Motor Type: The Vida V1 Pro uses a PMSM motor.
- Charging Time: The scooter takes 6 hours to charge from 0 to 100%.
- Front Brake: The Vida V1 Pro has a disc brake in the front.
- Rear Brake: The scooter comes with a drum brake in the rear.
- Braking Type: The Vida V1 Pro features a combi brake system.
- Swappable Battery: The scooter comes with two removable batteries for easy charging.
- Portable Charger: The Vida V1 Pro comes with a portable charger that can be plugged directly into a standard 5A socket.
- Fast Charging: The scooter can be charged from 0 to 80% in just 65 minutes.
- Connectivity Features: The Vida V1 Pro offers features like two-way throttle, advanced cruise control, and custom mode.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 – Setting New Performance Benchmarks
The Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 electric scooter comes with a range of advanced features, making it a powerful and high-performance option. Some of its key features include:
- Motor Power: The scooter is equipped with an 11 kW motor, making it the most powerful electric scooter on sale in India.
- Top Speed: It has a top speed of 120 km/h, providing a thrilling riding experience.
- Range: The S1 Pro Gen 2 offers a certified range of 195 km/charge, allowing for extensive rides on a single charge.
- Charging Time: It takes approximately 6.5 hours to fully charge the scooter.
- Display: The scooter features a 7-inch touchscreen display with various connectivity and control features, including Bluetooth connectivity and over-the-air updates.
- Battery: The scooter is equipped with a 4 kWh battery, providing ample power for long rides.
- Braking System: It comes with a combined braking system for enhanced safety and control.
- Swappable Battery: The S1 Pro Gen 2 features a plug-in battery system that can be swapped on the go, providing flexibility and convenience.
- Lightweight Design: The scooter has a kerb weight of 116 kg, contributing to its agility and maneuverability.
- Advanced Features: The scooter offers features such as energy insights, navigation, auto turn-off indicators, and hill hold, enhancing the overall riding experience.
Simple One – Blend of Performance and Affordability
The Simple One electric scooter, manufactured by Simple Energy, is known for its impressive features. Some of the key features of the Simple One electric scooter include:
- Range: The Simple One offers a remarkable range of 212 km/charge, making it suitable for long rides on a single charge.
- Charging Time: It takes just 1 hour for a full charge, offering quick turnaround times for charging.
- Motor Power: The scooter is equipped with an 8.5 kW motor, providing ample power for various riding conditions.
- Battery Capacity: The Simple One features a 5 kWh battery capacity, contributing to its impressive range and performance.
- Top Speed: It has a top speed of 105 km/h, allowing for a swift and efficient riding experience.
- Kerb Weight: The scooter has a kerb weight of 134 kg, which is relatively light for an electric scooter with such performance capabilities.
- Braking System: The Simple One comes with a disc brake in the front and rear, offering reliable braking performance.
- Swappable Batteries: The scooter features a unique dual battery setup, with a fixed battery and a removable battery, adding up to a total capacity of 5 kWh.
- Fast Charging: The scooter offers fast charging, with a one-minute charge providing a claimed 1.5 km of range.
- Under Seat Storage: It provides a massive 30-litre under-seat storage, offering ample space for carrying essentials.
Overall comparison
The comparison of the Ola S1 Pro Gen 2, Simple One, Ather 450 Apex, and Hero Vida V1 Pro electric scooters reveals the following key differences:
- Ola S1 Pro Gen 2: It offers a top speed of 120 km/h, a certified range of 195 km/charge, and an 11 kW motor. It also features a 34-liter boot space, a 6.5-hour full charging time, and a 4 kWh battery capacity.
- Simple One: This scooter provides a top speed of 105 km/h, an impressive certified range of 212 km/charge, and an 8.5 kW motor. It has a 30-liter boot space, a quick 1-hour full charging time, and a 5 kWh battery capacity.
- Ather 450 Apex: It has a top speed of 116 km/h, a range of up to 181 km/charge, and a 6 kW motor. The scooter features a 0-80% charging time of 3.5 hours, a 4 kWh battery capacity, and a 30-liter under-seat storage.
- Hero Vida V1 Pro: This scooter offers a top speed of 80 km/h, a range of 110 km/charge, and a 6 kW motor. It has a 3.94 kWh battery, a 6-hour full charging time, and a 30-liter boot space.
These differences highlight the unique strengths of each electric scooter, such as top speed, range, motor power, charging time, and storage capacity. When considering a purchase, it’s important to prioritize the features that best align with your specific needs and usage patterns.