Ola Electric S1 Air

The Ola S1 Air closely follows the design philosophy of the S1 Pro, maintaining a minimalist and modern appearance. The standout feature of the S1 Air is its flat floorboard, making it more practical for carrying items compared to the spine-like protrusion seen in the S1 Pro. The design is further enhanced by neon color options, though the finish is somewhat basic, with an unpainted lower section that may look too plain for some buyers.

One of the notable changes is the adoption of a twin-sided telescopic fork at the front, replacing the single-sided unit found in the S1 Pro. This adds to the robustness of the design and ensures durability. The steel wheels and drum brakes may feel like a step back in terms of premium appeal, but they do contribute to keeping costs down.

The S1 Air is powered by a 2.98 kWh lithium-ion battery paired with a hub motor delivering a continuous output of 2.7 kW and peak output of 4.5 kW. While this motor is less powerful than the mid-drive motor found on the S1 Pro, it still manages to offer solid performance. 

The scooter feels peppy, particularly in Normal mode, and has a top speed of 90 km/h. In Sport mode, the S1 Air accelerates from 0 to 40 km/h in just over 3 seconds, making it agile and responsive in city traffic.

The ride modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—allow riders to balance performance and range. In Eco mode, the focus is on maximizing range, while Sport mode delivers a more spirited ride. The claimed range in Eco mode is 125 kilometers, with real-world figures closer to 100 km in Normal mode and 87 km in Sport mode​

The lightweight frame (weighing just 108 kg) ensures that the S1 Air feels nimble and easy to maneuver, particularly in urban environments. The twin telescopic fork up front and twin shock absorbers at the rear contribute to a stable ride, although the short nature of the test ride makes it difficult to fully gauge the ride quality on rougher roads. The TVS Eurogrip tires provide adequate grip and inspire confidence while cornering.

At a seat height of 806 mm, the S1 Air may feel a bit high for shorter riders, but once seated, the flat floorboard and low kerb weight make it easy to handle. The drum brakes at both ends, combined with CBS (Combined Braking System), offer sufficient stopping power, although they may not match the performance of disc brakes seen on other scooters

The Ola S1 Air is designed for everyday usability. The flat floorboard adds to the scooter’s practicality, allowing riders to carry bags and larger items with ease. The single-piece pillion grab handle is more practical than the split handle seen in the S1 Pro, offering better support for the pillion. However, the overall build quality, particularly the paint finish, feels average, and might not hold up well over time.

The scooter's light weight ensures a smooth and effortless ride, while the seat height, although slightly high, is manageable for most riders. The twin-shock rear suspension offers decent comfort, but a longer test is needed to evaluate its performance on bumpy roads

The S1 Air inherits the 7.0-inch touchscreen display from its more expensive sibling, the S1 Pro, which runs on Ola’s MoveOS software. This system offers a variety of connected features, including in-built navigation, music playback, keyless go, and customizable ‘Moods’ themes. It even includes cruise control, a feature typically reserved for premium scooters. However, the display is not as responsive as one might hope, and visibility in direct sunlight can be an issue despite the screen being rated at 1000 nits.

The underseat storage capacity is a respectable 34 liters, slightly smaller than the S1 Pro’s, but still more than sufficient for daily use

The S1 Air’s 2.98 kWh battery provides a claimed range of 125 km in Eco mode, but real-world mileage will depend on riding conditions and modes used. In Normal mode, riders can expect around 100 km, while Sport mode reduces the range to about 87 km. Charging the scooter with the included home charger takes about 5 hours to go from 0 to 100%

At ₹1.10 lakh, the Ola S1 Air sits at a price point where it competes with both electric and petrol-powered scooters. While the S1 Air offers a lot of features for its price, including a touchscreen display, connected features, and multiple riding modes, it faces tough competition from established petrol scooters that are known for their reliability and lower long-term maintenance costs. However, for those looking to transition to electric mobility with modern features, the S1 Air presents a strong case.

Ola Electric has been rapidly expanding its after-sales service network, ensuring that customers have access to maintenance and spare parts. However, the long-term reliability of the S1 Air remains to be seen, especially with some early reports of software niggles​

The Ola S1 Air competes with other electric scooters like the Ather 450X and TVS iQube, as well as petrol-powered models like the Honda Activa and Suzuki Access 125. While it offers more tech and features than many of its rivals, it still has to prove its durability and real-world performance over time​

The Ola S1 Air is an appealing option for buyers looking to enter the world of electric scooters without breaking the bank. With its modern design, advanced features, and respectable performance, it is a good alternative to petrol-powered scooters. However, questions about long-term reliability and real-world range remain, and it may still struggle to pull buyers away from established, reliable petrol scooters​