Ola Electric unveils new EV range for gig workers, S1 Z models with portable battery

Ola Electric on Tuesday unveiled a new range of electric scooters and a portable power solution amid mounting scrutiny over the company's product quality and after-sales service.

The Bengaluru-based EV maker introduced four models: Ola Gig, Ola Gig+, Ola S1 Z, and Ola S1 Z+. It also launched the Ola PowerPod, a portable battery capable of powering small household appliances.

"At Ola, we are committed to taking the EV revolution to every nook and corner of the country. With the launch of the Ola Gig and Ola S1 Z range of scooters, we will further accelerate EV adoption, catering to a wide range of personal and commercial use cases with affordability, reliability, and safety as the core pillars,” Ola co-founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal said in a LinkedIn post.

While Ola Gig and Ola Gig+ are tailored for gig workers, Ola S1 Z is a "personal-use electric scooter designed for young professionals, students, women, and elderly riders ideal for busy urban and semi-urban roads.”

According to Aggarwal, the Ola S1 Z+ is a dual-usage electric scooter designed for both personal and light commercial use with versatile storage options.

"Perfect for small business owners and individuals involved in light to medium commercial activities," he added.

PowerPod will allow Ola’s portable battery to double up as an inverter which can power small household appliances, lights, fans, and other essential devices.

The announcement comes as Ola Electric grapples with complaints over delayed repairs and deficient after-sales service. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has reportedly been tasked by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to investigate the company's compliance with service and product standards. BIS is expected to submit its findings within 15 days, the Hindustan Times reported.

Addressing service challenges, Ola acknowledged capacity constraints at its centres but claimed it has resolved nearly all pending issues. The company said 80% of service requests are now addressed within one business day.

Shares of Ola Electric closed 5.51% higher at ₹73.42 on the BSE.