Toasting at the end of the day, courtesy of an electric vehicle manufacturer best known for its motorbikes
New Electric Motorcycle from Ola Electric: The Ola Roadster X
Ola Electric, the company behind India's popular electric scooters, has entered the stock market of electric motorcycles with the Ola Roadster X. This new electric motorcycle offers a unique and futuristic design, but it comes with some trade-offs.
The Ola Roadster X is available with two battery options: 2.5 kWh and 3.5 kWh. While these options provide a more affordable price point, they result in reduced range and performance. The 4.5 kWh battery pack, on the other hand, offers a practical range of 100 kilometres when ridden aggressively, and up to 120-130 kilometres with a conservative riding style. Charging the battery from empty to full takes approximately 9 to 10 hours.
The powertrain of the Ola Roadster X is advanced and has been consistently improved. However, the motorcycle requires work in other areas. The design includes unique panels, innovative claddings, and a charging port housed in a 'tank'. Yet, the front and rear design seems disjointed and not in sync with the futuristic theme. The fit, finish, and overall quality of the Ola Roadster X also need improvement.
The instrument cluster is basic, which is unexpected for an Ola product. The motorcycle does not perform well during aggressive cornering, and it lacks ABS, only featuring a Combined Braking System. The author expects higher powered bikes from Ola in the near future.
Despite these shortcomings, the Ola Roadster X has enough potential to become a market leader. It allows for changing riding modes while the throttle is engaged, and it has a slightly fancy tail lamp setup. On the top variant, the claimed range is 252 kilometres and a top speed of 118 km/h. The Ola Roadster X is priced at INR 1,04,728 ex-showroom.
In conclusion, the Ola Roadster X is a promising entry into the stock market of electric motorcycles for Ola Electric. While it needs improvement in terms of fit, finish, and overall quality, its unique design, advanced powertrain, and practical range make it an interesting option for electric motorcycle enthusiasts. The author looks forward to seeing how Ola will continue to innovate and improve in this new market.
