Ola S1 v S1 Pro Differences Explained: Performance, Range, Features and Price

With a claimed ARAI range of 141km, it’s almost a Pro, but more affordable!

With an aggressive introductory price of Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom) the new Ola S1 will be the marque’s most affordable two-wheeled offering. Not just that, with a claimed ARAI certified range of 141km and many similar features to the premium S1 Pro, Ola’s value for money proposition game seems to be on point with this one. Let’s have a look at the key differences between the S1 and S1 Pro.

Design

The S1 and the S1 Pro are identical in appearance. Side by side it’s impossible to tell the difference between the two because the platform for both scooters is the same. Hence all the good things on the S1 Pro like the LED headlight, super spacious 36-litre under-seat storage and single-sided front suspension are still available for a much lower price (more on that later). That said, while the S1 Pro gets 11 colours, the S1 just gets five and they are - Porcelain White, Jet Black, Neo Mint, Coral Glam and Liquid Silver.

Range

This is where the S1 and the S1 Pro start to break away from each other. The Ola S1 gets a 3kWh Lithium-ion pack in place of the larger 4kWh unit as on the S1 Pro. However, despite the smaller battery pack, Ola claims the S1 gets an ARAI certified range of 141km, which is 40km less than the S1 Pro’s 181km ARAI certified range.

True range figures on the new S1 is a claimed 101km in ‘Normal’, 128km in ‘Eco’ and 90km in ‘Sports’ modes. Have a look at the real world performance of the S1 Pro here to see how much it deviates from its claimed figures. 

However, a smaller battery pack has led the S1 to weigh 121kg kerb (4kg lighter than the S1 Pro) and lower charging times of zero to 100 per cent in five hours as compared to the S1 Pro’s 6 hours and 30 minutes.  

Performance

The motor on the S1 is a 5.5kW electric motor with a peak output of 8.5kW just like the S1 Pro. But, thanks to a smaller battery and a deliberate focus on range, performance is toned down a bit on the new S1. That said, what you’ll miss the most on the new S1 is ‘Hyper mode’. 

Ola claims a zero to 40kmph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds and zero to 60kmph in 5.9 seconds for the S1. On the other hand, the S1 Pro claims to run the same in 2.9 and 4.5 seconds, respectively. Top speed of the new S1 is 95kmph (caimed).

Features

Here is where Ola has hit the nail on the head in our opinion. Typically, affordability comes with compromise in areas like features. Despite the lower price tag, the S1 gets the same 7-inch colour TFT touchscreen instrument cluster. It even gets MoveOS features like music playback, navigation, companion app and reverse mode, but misses out on cruise control.

Underpinnings and cycle parts
We are happy to report that nothing changes in this department either. You still get the same 220mm and 180mm single disc brake, front and back, respectively and combined braking system is also standard. The rims are the same 12-inch tubeless alloy rims as on the S1 Pro.     

Price and Verdict

The Ola S1 will be sold at a lucrative price of Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom and introductory) making it considerably more affordable than the Bajaj Chetak, Ather 450X and even the Ola S1 Pro itself.

Check Out Price For The Ola S1 Pro
Have A Look At The Simple One Here
Simple One First Ride Review: Likes And Dislikes

In fact, it’s more affordable than the base variant of the Simple One and Okinawa iPraise+. We see the Ola S1 primarily competing with e-scooters from Okinawa, Hero Electric and others, but with a dash of premiumness. Lastly, with MoveOS 3.0 making its way to us this Diwali, the S1 is sure to pack more!