Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Expert Review
- Electric
- Scooter
- 2 Seater
What's good
-
It’s faster & powerful with better acceleration & speed.
-
It has better brakes and a smoother ride.
-
It can go a long distance on one charge.
What's not so good
-
After-sales service could have been improved
-
The higher variant has an expensive price range.
The Ola S1 Pro (Gen 3), built on Ola’s advanced Gen 3 platform and powered by the new Move OS6, is designed to deliver better performance, smarter technology and improved efficiency. It comes with an 11 kW motor and a 4 kWh battery, a certified range of up to 242 kilometres. Its features include assisted braking, advanced traction control, a chain drive that increases torque and acceleration, as well as front dual suspension for added stability.
What's good
-
It’s faster & powerful with better acceleration & speed.
-
It has better brakes and a smoother ride.
-
It can go a long distance on one charge.
What's not so good
-
After-sales service could have been improved
-
The higher variant has an expensive price range.
The Ola S1 Pro (Gen 3), built on Ola’s advanced Gen 3 platform and powered by the new Move OS6, is designed to deliver better performance, smarter technology and improved efficiency. It comes with an 11 kW motor and a 4 kWh battery, a certified range of up to 242 kilometres. Its features include assisted braking, advanced traction control, a chain drive that increases torque and acceleration, as well as front dual suspension for added stability.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Expert Review
SEV Score
Samarth Kudale
Tested and reviewed by SEV Experts on 8 parameters
SEV Score
Samarth Kudale
Tested and reviewed by SEV Experts on 8 parameters
Expert Verdict
The Ola S1 Pro is a quick, feature-rich and practical electric scooter that works particularly well as a daily urban commuter. Its strong initial performance, useful tech, spacious storage, and comfortable ergonomics make it an appealing product. However, build quality and after-sales support remain areas of concern. Overall, the S1 Pro is a strong choice for EV buyers who want exciting performance, and low running costs.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Design
Design and Colour Schemes
The Ola S1 Pro continues with the minimalist approach, that has become synonymous with the S1 family of electric scooters. Its smooth body panels, rounded front apron, endearing LED headlamp and apron-mounted indicators give it a clean appearance.
The side profile is equally simple, with the flowing bodylines extending towards the curvy tail section. The large panels and 12-inch alloy wheels give the scooter a fairly substantial road presence without making it look unnecessarily bulky.
The S1 Pro is available in several colour options, including Jet Black, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue. The darker shades make it look understated, while the brighter colours help it stand out from the crowd, giving it an attention-worthy stance.
Overall, the S1 Pro has aged quite well. Its design isn’t particularly adventurous, but the clean, elegant styling works well in India.
Build Quality
Build quality is just good enough, with the panels generally fitting together neatly and the overall scooter feeling well assembled. However, the extensive use of plastic means it doesn’t feel quite as premium as some of its rivals. The switchgear could also have a more upmarket feel. Overall, the build quality is acceptable for the segment but isn’t the S1 Pro’s strongest area.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Features
Ola’s have always been known for their technology, and the S1 Pro Gen 3 continues that trend. The highlight is the 7-inch touchscreen display, which provides access to vehicle information, riding modes, navigation and connected functions. The scooter also gets smartphone connectivity, call and SMS notifications, cruise control, reverse mode, regenerative braking and OTA updates.
There are four riding modes: Eco, Normal, Sports and Hyper, which allows riders to choose between efficiency and performance.
The software-heavy approach makes the S1 Pro feel more like a giant smartphone than a conventional scooter. However, relying on the touchscreen for several functions isn’t always ideal while riding. A few more physical controls would have made everyday operation easier.
One of the most annoying features on the scooter is the digital lock, i.e., you need to enter a passcode to ride it instead of a physical key. At times, it gets very annoying, as you cannot use it with gloves, or when there is some water on it. It works but is not the most accurate in tricky conditions.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Performance & Range
Motor And Performance
The S1 Pro Gen 3 uses a mid-mounted electric motor that puts out 11 kW of peak power. The claimed top speed is 117 kmph (the 4 kWh version can reach 125 kmph), and the 0 to 40 kmph is achieved in a claimed 2.7 seconds.
The S1 Pro feels properly agile, and quick in everyday riding conditions. The instant acceleration makes getting away from traffic lights effortless, and overtaking slower vehicles requires very little planning, as there is plenty of performance available at the twist of the throttle.
Sports mode offers a good balance between performance and usability, while Hyper mode unlocks the scooter’s strongest acceleration. Normal mode is more relaxed and works well for everyday commuting, while Eco mode is best used when maximum range is the priority.
The throttle response is smooth and predictable in the low-power modes, but put it in the Hyper mode, and it would make a beginner doubt their life choices. In the Hyper mode, the throttle response is immediate, and might feel a lot jerky. It could be a serious issue for someone moving up from a conventional petrol scooter.
Battery Specifications
The S1 Pro comes with a 3 kWh battery pack, which has a claimed IDC range of 176 km. In our real-world test, we got a true range of around 110 km in mixed conditions with all of the riding modes used for the test. We think that the larger 4 kWh battery is the better choice for riders with longer daily commutes, as the smaller pack is just sufficient for primarily urban use.
Claimed Range vs Real-world Range
As with every electric vehicle, real-world range is considerably lower than the claimed IDC figures and depends on riding mode, traffic, speed, rider weight and road conditions. Aggressive riding in Sports or Hyper mode will significantly reduce the range, while relaxed city riding can extract considerably more kilometres from the same battery SOC (State of Charge).
If you are someone who regularly covers long distances, we suggest you get the 4 kWh version, as it provides greater peace of mind and reduces charging frequency, making it easy to live with.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Ride & Handling
Underpinnings
The S1 Pro gets a telescopic front fork and a non-adjustable monoshock at the rear. It rides on 12-inch alloy wheels and gets disc brakes at both ends with ABS, which makes it a lot safer.
Ride Quality
The suspension setup handles minor bumps and everyday road undulations reasonably well. Speed breakers and broken patches are manageable, but the sharpest of potholes can still be felt through the scooter. The modest wheelbase and low centre of gravity help the S1 Pro feel stable and planted during regular commuting.
However, the ride isn’t as plush as some of the best conventional scooters. Large potholes can unsettle the scooter, particularly when taken at speed.
Handling
Despite its substantial dimensions, the S1 Pro is easy to manoeuvre in traffic. The low centre of gravity makes slow-speed riding manageable, while the steering is light enough for tight gaps and U-turns.
The 12-inch wheels make the scooter reasonably agile, although larger wheels would have provided more confidence over broken roads. At higher speeds, the S1 Pro remains stable, provided the road surface is reasonably smooth. Hit a bad patch, and you’ll get thrown around on the scooter quite a bit.
Braking Performance
The S1 Pro Gen 3 gets disc brakes at both ends along with single-channel ABS. The brakes provide decent bite and bring the scooter to halt confidently. The addition of ABS is a significant improvement over earlier versions of the S1 Pro, where the brakes were too strong, and would lock the wheel even at the slightest pressure, especially the rear one. Overall, braking performance is adequate for the scooter’s performance now.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Safety
The biggest safety upgrade on the Gen 3 S1 Pro is the addition of single-channel ABS. The scooter also gets disc brakes at both ends with brake-by-wire tech, which eliminates the need for a physical cable. It also has regenerative braking and several electronic systems integrated into its platform.
However, the more expensive S1 Pro+ gets dual-channel ABS and additional safety technology. So, if budget is not a constraint, you can take a look at the Ola S1 Pro+ as well. So, while the regular S1 Pro is adequately equipped for urban riding, it doesn’t offer the most comprehensive safety package in Ola’s S1 range of electric scooters.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Space & Comfort
Ergonomics
The S1 Pro has a relaxed riding position with a comfortable handlebar position and a spacious floorboard. It accommodates riders of different heights reasonably well, while the relatively low seat height makes it approachable for shorter riders as well. All in all, the rider’s triangle is well designed for people with average height. The only problem here is the large screen that sits on the raised handlebar, which might pose a challenge to riders who are below 5’3” or 5’4”.
Rider And Pillion Comfort
The Ola S1 Pro’s broad seat has sufficient cushioning for daily commuting. Taller riders should also find enough room to sit comfortably without feeling cramped. The pillion gets reasonable seating space, although the S1 Pro is better suited to short and medium-distance trips than long-distance touring.
Storage And Utility
Storage is one of the S1 Pro’s strongest points. The large underseat compartment is practical for everyday use and can accommodate a substantial amount of luggage, but only if it’s sleek. Even though it has 34 litres of boot space, it cannot fit a full-face helmet, as the boot is long, and wide, rather than being deep. There is also additional front storage and USB connectivity. For someone moving from a petrol scooter to an EV, the S1 Pro’s practicality makes it easy to live with on a daily basis, as the space on offer is much more than the ICE scooters.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Charging & Warranty
Charging Options And Time
The S1 Pro can be charged using a home charging setup, making overnight charging the most convenient option for most owners. The 3 kWh version takes just more than 5 hours to charge from 0 to 80% with a home charging setup. Ola’s public charging network can also be used during longer journeys, although home charging remains the most convenient solution for regular commuters.
Warranty
The S1 Pro gets a battery warranty of 3 years or 50,000 km. Buyers should check the exact warranty terms and available extended warranty packages before purchasing.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Service & Network
Ola has well-established a large sales network across India, but the ownership experience can vary significantly between locations. Service quality is what we cannot comment on, as it varies a lot all over India. At some locations, customers reported decent service experience, while at some authorised service, the experience reported has been quite disappointing.
The Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 is a decent, mature product when compared to other scooters in Ola’s lineup. However, prospective buyers should still check the availability and reputation of their nearest Ola service centre before making a purchase.
Who should buy this?
The Ola S1 Pro is the perfect tool for someone looking to make their city commutes fun. It has more than enough performance (even better than a lot of affordable sport bikes), a good range, and is packed with all the bells and whistles that one needs to commute comfortably, and conveniently. Also, if you are looking to carry a lot of luggage, the boot space is plenty, and the floorboard will accommodate a good amount of luggage. Also, due to the seat being comfortable, two-up riding won’t be an issue, and you can have a lot of joyrides with your partner.
What's good
-
It’s faster & powerful with better acceleration & speed.
-
It has better brakes and a smoother ride.
-
It can go a long distance on one charge.
What's not so good
-
After-sales service could have been improved
-
The higher variant has an expensive price range.
Ola S1 Pro Gen 3 Price
What's good
-
It’s faster & powerful with better acceleration & speed.
-
It has better brakes and a smoother ride.
-
It can go a long distance on one charge.
What's not so good
-
After-sales service could have been improved
-
The higher variant has an expensive price range.
118Km/c
65Kmph
N/AMins
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