Ola Electric to Launch New Commercial E-Scooter Aimed at Gig Workers: Report

After shelving its previous plans to launch dedicated electric scooter models for commercial use, Ola Electric appears to be readying a new plan to attack this fast-growing market. As per a recent PTI report, the company has secured regulatory approval for a new model that could be based on the existing S1 platform, but optimised for commercial use.

The report is based on a homologation approval document issued by ARAI, the Automotive Research Association of India in February this year. Its categorisation as an L1 vehicle indicates that it meets roadworthiness, safety, and emissions criteria for a commercial bike. It can be expected to have a top speed of 70kmph or under, with up to a 4Wh battery.  

Ola Electric is likely hoping to capitalise on the growing market for last-mile deliveries for food aggregators, quick commerce, and other logistics operations that use large-scale bike fleets. Running costs, range, and load-carrying capacity are typically the key factors for owners to consider in this segment.   

Ola Electric had in 2024 announced its Ola Gig and Gig+ models aimed at exactly this market, priced at ₹39,999 and ₹49,999 respectively with rollouts targeted for May 2025. Top speeds were claimed to be 25kmph and 45kmph, with ranges of up to 112km and 157km respectively. However, these models were officially delayed and then eventually not launched, with CEO Bhavish Aggarwal saying “We are delaying the S1 Z, Gig/Gig+ and some other future products and will sequentially launch these products such that each product receives the right customer mindshare,” during an investors’ call.

In recent times, the company has had to refocus on dealing with its declining market share, regulatory shortcomings, and widespread owner complaints regarding product quality and poor service experiences. However, the timing of the ARAI approval suggests that a launch could be imminent. Recent social media posts by Aggarwal about the effects of rising fuel prices on the gig economy and the state of Ola’s operations also point to a potential launch in this space in the near future.