With the launch of three variants of the Roadster series - Roadster, RoadsterX, and Roadster Pro, Ola Electric has announced its debut into the electric motorcycle industry.
At the Company’s annual launch event, Sankalp 2024 which was held at its future factory in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu, The E-bikes range between Rs 74,999 and Rs. 249,999 were introduced by the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bhavish Aggarwal.
The Roadster and RoadsterX will make its availability in the market by January 2025, while the Roadster Pro will hit the market by Diwali next year. Aggarwal said at the launch, “Today, two-thirds of India’s two-wheeler market consists of motorcycles, and with Ola’s entry into this segment, electric vehicle (EV) penetration is poised to further accelerate in the Indian two-wheeler segment.”
With this Ola CEO Bhavesh Aggarwal has hinted about the plans of his new launches. However, the price range of these E-bikes has raised a debate in the market of electric motorcycles.
The entry of Ola in the Electric vehicles race has set up a new pricing range for the E-bikes. E-bikes, in India, currently range from Rs. 110,000 to Rs. 399,000.
The new pricing of Ola E-bikes is lower. Many industry insiders are describing this price strayer as a marketing gimmick rather than a viable business plan.
"At this point, the statement is meant to entice the market. The true challenge lies in developing and providing a product at that cost," says Jaibir Siwach, the founder and CEO of Goa-based motorcycle manufacturer Kabira Mobility as quoted by a news portal.
Almost all major motorbike manufacturers offer their E-bikes in the price range of Rs 110,000 to Rs 399,000.
Even the highest-priced Roadster Pro, at Rs2,49,999, is well below the industry’s upper price range.
Ola’s new Roadster series provides a motor output of 11 kW. RoadsterX emerged as the fastest electric motorcycle in its series and it can accelerate from 0-40 kmph in 2.8-2.9 sec for the 4.5 kWh variant.
The Company also introduced about the upcoming software update of MoveOS 5, the Roadster Pro will attain features like three-step traction, anti-wheelie, geofencing, and ADAS.