Let’s be brutally honest. When I first booked the Ola S1 Pro, my feelings were a cocktail of excitement and deep anxiety. The internet was—and still is—full of horror stories. But the promise was intoxicating: supercar-like acceleration, a tech-loaded dashboard, and the dream of never visiting a petrol pump again. After 12 months and over 10,000 kilometers of daily commutes, weekend rides, and a fair share of headaches, the hype has settled into reality. This isn’t a first-impression test drive review. This is the story of a long-term relationship with one of India’s most talked-about electric scooters.
The First Impressions: Love at First Thrill
The delivery day was all smiles. The scooter looked futuristic, and that 7-inch touchscreen dashboard felt like something from a sci-fi movie. But the real magic happened the first time I twisted the throttle in Hyper mode. The 0-40 km/h dash in under 3 seconds isn’t just a spec sheet number. It’s a visceral, neck-snapping jolt of adrenaline that makes overtaking in city traffic an absolute breeze. That initial thrill? It hasn’t completely worn off.
The other star of the show is the underseat storage. Ola claims 34 litres, but you have to experience it to believe it. I’ve fit a full-face helmet, a thick office laptop bag, and a lunch box with room to spare. For daily urban life, this cavernous boot is a genuine game-changer, eliminating the need for messy and unsafe external hooks.
Living with the Tech: Brilliant When It Works
Ola sells the S1 Pro as a “smart” scooter, and it mostly delivers. The built-in navigation with MapMyIndia is fantastic for finding new routes without fumbling with your phone. Cruise control on open highways is a blessing for your right wrist. Features like voice-assisted Bluetooth calling and music playback via the built-in speakers add a fun layer of convenience.
However, “smart” sometimes means “temperamental.” I’ve had my share of software glitches. Once, the dashboard went completely blank mid-ride, though the scooter kept moving. The companion app, while much improved, can sometimes be slow to connect. The proximity unlock (which automatically unlocks the scooter as you approach) is a party trick that I eventually disabled because of inconsistent behaviour. The tech suite feels ambitious and impressive, but you learn it has its occasional bad days.
The Daily Reality: Range, Ride, and Running Costs
This is where you separate marketing promises from owner experience.
- Real-World Range: Forget the claimed 242 km IDC range for the 4kWh model. In my daily use—a mix of city traffic and some bursts of speed—I consistently get between 100 km to 130 km on a full charge. In Hyper mode, that number drops significantly. It’s more than enough for a week of office commutes, but it requires a shift in mindset: you plan your charging, not your refuelling.
- Ride & Comfort: Here lies a significant compromise. The seat, while stylish, is narrow and short. On rides longer than 45 minutes, you’re constantly shuffling for comfort. The front suspension is too soft; it bottoms out with a harsh clunk on medium-sized potholes, making you wince every time. For a scooter in this price bracket, the ride quality can feel surprisingly unrefined.
- The Golden Equation: Running Costs: This is the S1 Pro’s undisputed victory. Let’s talk numbers. After nearly 10,000 km, my total electricity cost has been around ₹2,500. A comparable 125cc petrol scooter would have guzzled over ₹15,000 in fuel for the same distance. The table below breaks down the stark difference.
| Cost Component | Ola S1 Pro (Est. 10,000 km) | Typical 125cc Petrol Scooter (Est. 10,000 km) |
|---|---|---|
| “Fuel” Cost | ₹2,500 (Home charging @ ₹8/kWh) | ₹15,000+ (@ ₹2.5/km) |
| Engine Oil/Filter | ₹0 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,000 |
| Other Maintenance | Lower (Fewer moving parts) | Higher |
| Approx. Total | Under ₹3,000 | Over ₹17,000 |
Note: Savings based on owner data and common running cost comparisons.
This dramatic saving is the single biggest reason to stay committed to an EV.
The Not-So-Glitzy Bits: Niggles and Gripes
A long-term review must address the flaws, and the S1 Pro has its share.
- Build Quality Inconsistencies: My scooter arrived with minor but annoying panel gaps and a slight rattle from the front console that developed over time. It doesn’t affect performance, but it chips away at the premium feel Ola is aiming for.
- Service & Support: This remains Ola’s Achilles’ heel. While my experience in a metro city was decent, stories from tier-2 cities are worrying—long wait times for parts and inconsistent service quality. The company’s “HyperService” network is expanding, but reliability is still catching up to sales.
- Braking & Tyres: The braking, especially the rear, can feel a bit sharp and unpredictable, particularly in wet conditions. The stock tyres are adequate, but upgrading to grippier rubber was one of the best modifications I made for confidence.
The One-Year Verdict: Would I Do It All Over Again?
This is the hardest question. After a year, my answer is a qualified “Yes, but…”
Buy the Ola S1 Pro if:
- Your primary use is within the city and you have a reliable place to charge overnight.
- You value thrilling performance, tech features, and massive storage.
- You want to maximize savings on running costs and are willing to adapt your habits.
Think twice and look at alternatives (like the TVS iQube or Ather) if:
- Your daily commute is very long-range (>80 km round trip) with no charging option.
- Ride comfort and plush suspension are your top priorities.
- You live in an area with limited Ola service support and need peace of mind.
Final Word
The Ola S1 Pro is a fascinating product. It is not a polished, perfect scooter. It can be temperamental, occasionally frustrating, and demands that you overlook some quirks. However, it is also incredibly exciting, surprisingly practical, and astonishingly cheap to run. It feels like driving the passionate, ambitious, and sometimes buggy first draft of the future.
For me, the sheer joy of its acceleration, the freedom from petrol stations, and the hefty monthly savings have outweighed the headaches. It’s been a year of exhilarating rides, minor frustrations, and ultimately, a convinced conversion to electric. Just go in with your eyes wide open.
I hope this detailed, honest account helps you make your decision. Feel free to drop any questions in the comments below