Battle Of Electric Heavyweights – The Better Performer

Ather Energy introduced us to electric performance (literally!) with the 450X back in 2020. Using premium components, this peppy electric scooter was built to last while also being a hoot to ride. Ola Electric then rolled out the S1 Pro the following year, with a mind-boggling spec sheet. 

With Ather recently launching the revamped 450X Gen 3, and Ola decking the S1 Pro with new software, we crunch the real-world performance numbers of these two heavyweights to find out which comes out on top.

If you think the Ather 450X’s Warp mode is fast, the Ola S1 Pro’s Hyper mode, you would see, is just blisteringly quick. In fact, it is almost a whole second quicker to 60kmph than the 450 X Gen 3 and extends this margin by a whopping 3.69 seconds to 80kmph. What’s impressive is that the Ola is the only e-scooter that has clocked 100kmph in our tests, doing it in 15.66 seconds.

Despite being fairly heavier, such performance is largely attributed to the S1 Pro’s larger, more powerful 8.5kW (peak output) motor – 2.3kW more than the Ather 450X. However, during our tests, we did see that the Ola S1 Pro’s Hyper mode would only last for a short distance, following which the scooter automatically switches to Normal mode. However, on the other hand, Ather’s Warp mode did not give the motor or battery any reason to dial down the performance, thus being more rewarding. 

One point to the Ather 450X Gen 3 then, as the Warp mode is sustainable and did not feel like a boost, like the Ola S1 Pro’s Hyper mode.

The Ather 450X and Ola S1 Pro feel like peppy puppers even in slow-moving traffic. All it takes is a quick toggle into Warp or Hyper mode for either of the two, and you’re good to go and spruce up those urban commutes.

Just like the acceleration tests, the initial burst from the larger 8.5kW motor on the S1 Pro makes it a tad quicker than the 450X. Thus, one point in the Ola S1 Pro’s favour.

Surprisingly, the S1 Pro is faster in grinding to a halt from 60kmph despite its 13.4kg weight disadvantage. However, the braking setup on both e-scooters have some shortcomings. 

The calibration of the Combined Braking System (CBS) on the Ather isn't on point. The rear is sharp and tends to lock-up under hard braking, although the grippy tyres help in instilling some confidence when the rear gets loose. The Ola too doesn’t fare well in terms of brake feedback, but it definitely stops quicker than the Ather. Point here to the Ola S1 Pro.

The main upgrade on the Ather 450X Gen 3 is a larger 3.7kWh battery. While this is still less than the 3.97kWh battery on the Ola S1 Pro, the Ather just smashes the real-world range test. It eclipses the S1 Pro with an extra six kilometres of range on offer in Eco mode. In fact, the 450X Gen 3 has managed to achieve the highest range amongst all electric scooters that we have tested thus far. 

However, while the Ola S1 Pro racked up 136km in Eco mode, it managed to clock 141km purely in Normal mode. This is mainly due to the way the Eco mode is calibrated on the Ola, as it struggles to sustain low speeds in Eco, and manages to fare better in Normal mode. Still, one point to the Ather 450X Gen 3.

While the Ather 450X Gen 3 and Ola S1 Pro have tied after we pitted them across all performance parameters, the Ola has a few rough edges and is yet to deliver on a few promised features. 

• Ather 450X Gen 3 Real-world Road Test Review: Feels More Like Gen 2.1
• Hero Vida V1 Pro vs Ather 450X vs Ola S1 Pro: Spec Comparison
• Ola S1 Lite Launch Date Announced

The Ather 450X Gen 3 is a far more mature product. However, with Ola rolling out the new MoveOS 3 this Diwali, it remains to be seen whether Ather can continue to fend off the S1 Pro. Or, will ‘One’ new competitor dethrone the Ather 450X to become the new champion in the electric race? 

Keep your eyes glued to this space to find out.