Honda Activa e vs. Ola S1 Pro The Electric Scooter Showdown

Choosing the right electric scooter can be a daunting task. Honda recently entered the fray with its much-awaited Activa e, challenging the established dominance of players like Ola. Here’s an analysis of the two popular options, so you can decide on the right one for yourself.

Price and Variants

The Honda Activa e is available in two trims: the standard model priced at ₹1,17,000 and the RoadSync Duo variant at ₹1,52,600. Ola S1 Pro, on the other hand, is available in a single variant priced at ₹1,29,999 (all prices ex-showroom Bengaluru).

Riding Modes

Honda offers three riding modes: Econ, Standard, and Sport. Ola S1 Pro offers four options: Eco, Normal, Sports, and Hyper, which is a wider range of riding styles and preferences.

Battery and Range

The Activa e has two swappable 1.5kWh batteries, promising a range of 102 km. It accelerates from 0-60 kmph in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 80 kmph. The swappable battery system does not allow for much under-seat storage and is initially available only in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

On the other hand, the Ola S1 Pro is mounted with a fixed 4kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The advantage is that it can be charged in a home environment. A 750W charger can charge the battery to its full capacity in 6.5 hours. Ola’s Hypercharge network provides an enormous advantage: 50 km in just 15 minutes. The S1 Pro claims a range of 180km in Eco mode and 143 in Normal, and boasts a top speed of 120 kmph. It also offers good under-seat storage at 34 liters and wider availability across India.

Features

The Activa e comes with a 7-inch TFT screen, controlled with the handlebar-mounted toggle switch. The display offers real-time connectivity to the Honda RoadSync Duo app, allowing users to control music, get turn-by-turn directions, download over-the-air updates, and receive various alerts. It also features a convenient 40W USB-C charging socket. The Ola S1 Pro features all-LED lighting, a 7-inch touchscreen TFT console with smartphone connectivity, and an anti-theft alert system. Its package goes further, targeting the technologically conscious client.

Conclusion

The Honda Activa e is still a very strong entry into the electric scooter segment, with swappable batteries and all of the old familiar Honda brand appeal. However, as things stand at this time, Ola S1 Pro still has an advantage over it: good range, faster charging options, broader availability, and better feature sets. It depends on the personal priorities, mainly: convenience, range, features, or budget.

Disclaimer

Price and spec may change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.