Ola Electric has recently launched its entry-level S1 scooter in India. It is slightly different from the S1 launched by Ola last year. Priced at Rs 99,999 (ex-showroom, including FAME II subsidy), the Ola S1 takes on the likes of the TVS iQube S variant that retails for Rs 108,690 (on-road Delhi, including FAME II & state subsidies). So which electric scooter offers the better value and which one should you buy? Let’s find out: –
Ola S1 Vs TVS iQube S: Dimensions
| Ola S1 | TVS iQube S | |
| Length | 1859mm | 1805mm |
| Width | 712mm | 645mm |
| Height | 1160mm | 1140mm |
| Wheelbase | 1359mm | 1301mm |
| Ground Clearance | 165mm | 157mm |
| Seat Height | 792mm | 770mm |
| Curb Weight | 121kg | 118kg |
| Boot Space | 36L | 17L |
TVS iQube has the lowest weight and shortest saddle height, making it the most short-rider friendly. On the other hand, the Ola S1 Pro is the longest and tallest amongst the two and offers bigger boot space to carry your daily essentials.
Ola S1 Vs TVS iQube S: Underpinnings
| Ola S1 | TVS iQube | |
| Front Brake Type | Disc | Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | Disc | Drum |
| Front Suspension | Single Fork Telescopic | Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | Monoshock | Adjustable hydraulic twin tube shock absorber |
| Tyre Size | 110/70-12 | 90/90-12 |
Both the electric scooters ride on 12-inch wheels; however, the Ola S1 has wider section tires, thus, it should provide road grip. For anchoring, the Ola S1 gets disc brakes at both ends, whereas the TVS iQube has a disc brake at the front and drum brakes at the rear.
Also, it is worth mentioning that the TVS iQube S features the cost-effective twin tube shock absorbs at the rear which soaks bumps slightly better than the monoshock, thus delivering a supple ride. However, Ola’s monoshock is meant to provide better handling & stability.
Ola S1 Vs TVS iQube S: Specifications & Performance Comparison
| Ola S1 | TVS iQube S | |
| Battery Capacity | 3kWh | 4.56kWh (usable capacity 3.04kWh) |
| Motor Type | Mid Drive IPM | BLDC hub-mounted |
| Peak Power | 8.5kW (11.55hp) | 4.4kW (5.98hp) |
| Rated Power | 5.5kW (7.47hp) | 3kW (4.07hp) |
| Rated Torque | 58Nm | 33Nm |
| Riding Modes | Eco, Normal & Sports | Eco & Power |
| 0-40kmph | 3.8 seconds | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 95kmph | 78kmph |
| Claimed True Range | 128km (Eco mode) 101km (Normal mode) 90km (Sports mode) | 100km (Eco mode) 75km (Power mode) |
| Gradeability | 15 degree | 10 degree |
| Home Charging Time | 5 hrs (100%) | 4 hrs 30 min (0-80% via 650W) 2 hrs 50 min (950W) |
On paper, the Ola S1 looks better than the TVS iQube’s mid-spec S variant. It offers a better range in all riding modes and faster acceleration. It also has more satisfactory motor output, helping it to accelerate from standstill to 40kmph in just 3.8 seconds, making it 0.4 seconds faster than the iQube S.
Also, Ola S1 has better gradeability and a claimed top speed of 95kmph, 17kmph more than the TVS iQube S.
Must Read: Ola Electric Developed Its First Li-ion Battery cell!
Ola S1 Vs TVS iQube S: Features
| Ola S1 | TVS iQube S | |
| Connected Technology | ✅ | ✅ |
| On-Board Navigation | ✅ | ✅(via mobile app) |
| Incoming Call Alert | ❌ | ✅ |
| Geo-Fencing | ✅ | Yes |
| Physical Key | ❌ | ✅ |
| Keyless Access | ✅ | ❌ |
| Remote Lock / Unlock | ✅ | ❌ |
| OTA Updates | ✅ | Yes |
| Drivers Display | 7-inch touchscreen | 7-inch non-touchscreen |
| Day/Night Mode For Instrument Cluster | ✅ (manual) | ✅ (automatic) |
| Music Control | ✅ | ✅ |
| In-Built Speakers | ✅ | ❌ |
| Regenerative Braking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Riding Modes | ✅ | ✅ |
| Lighting System Type | Full LED | Full LED |
| Reverse Mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| USB Mobile Charging Socket | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cruise Control | ❌ (only on S1 Pro) | Under Development |
| TPMS | ❌ | Under Development |
| Incognito Mode | ❌ | ✅ |
Both the e-scooters are pretty well loaded and have their own unique traits. While the inbuilt speakers and keyless access functionality of Ola S1 could tempt young buyers, the physical key access in TVS iQube is still more convenient in my opinion.
Also Read: Ola S1 Pro To Get Another OTA Update By Diwali 2022; Features List Revealed
Author’s Take
On paper, the Ola S1 offers a lot more than the TVS iQube S variant. Nevertheless, we can’t deny the fact that many Ola S1 Pro users have faced various software-related issues, thus hindering their user experience. Read out our detailed ride review here for more details.
