Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal Shows Off The Sleek Battery Pack Of Roadster Sportsbike
Ola Electric is set to begin deliveries of the much-anticipated Roadster electric motorcycle in the next few weeks. The commercial production of the motorcycle began early this month and dealer dispatches seem to have started as well. Hinting at the fast-approaching deliveries, OLA CEO Bhavish Aggarwal recently shared a picture on X (previously Twitter), that shows the Roadster's battery pack in detail.
The X-post had the following text as the caption: 'The shape of the revolution'. The CEO was taking pride in the sleek design and efficient packaging of the Roadster's battery pack- something he was very vocal about, since the premiere. For the uninformed, the Roadster will come with three different battery packs- 2.5kWh, 3.5kWh, and 4.5kWh. The top-spec would cost around Rs. 1 lakh (ex-showroom).
The battery, as seen in the picture, is quite sleek and comes well-integrated into the rest of the design. The biggest highlight is that it uses Ola Electric's newly developed 4680 cells, which the manufacturer claims to have high energy densities and packaging efficiency. In addition to this, the motorcycle features a chain drive system and an advanced Motor Control Unit (MCU).
Another standout trait of the Roadster is that it would make generous use of flat cables. It is the first time that an electric motorcycle maker attempts this. This move is claimed to reduce weight and increase packaging efficiency.
The motorcycle is also known to come with brake-by-wire technology and will have features like a single-channel ABS, MoveOS 5, cruise control, reverse mode, and advanced regeneration technology.
More About The Roadster's Battery Pack
Ola Electric has developed the 4680 cells after investing heavily in its research and development. These cells, the company says, excel with energy densities, safety offered and energy efficiencies. These are also claimed to be quite cost-efficient.
The company claims these cells to offer a higher energy density that what's offered by most traditional Lithium-ion batteries. This means EVs using these cells can travel longer on a single charge without needing a bigger battery. There will be performance benefits as well.
The battery pack also comes with advanced safety features and thermal management systems to ensure that the cells operate within safe limits. This minimizes the risk of thermal runaway and related safety hazards.
Making its own cells enabled OLA to tailor (and alter if needed) the chemistry and fine-tune the balance between efficiency, losses and performance. The in-house manufacturing also helps to optimize costs, and make the battery pack more affordable to replace, than imported or assembled alternatives. This is expected to lower the costs of OLA scooters and motorcycles in the upcoming years.
The battery pack is claimed to be IP67 rated, and would thus offer resistance to both dust and water.
How OLA's New Battery Pack Could Influence The Indian EV Space?
Ola’s push into 4680 cell tech could have a major impact on India’s EV market. It may lead to cheaper, better, and safer electric vehicles being built, giving more people the chance to switch to green mobility.
This move also sends a strong message to other Indian companies—battery innovation and local manufacturing are now more important than ever (and achievable as well!). It could help India become a key player in the global EV supply chain.
Netizens Aren't Happy!
The CEO's post comes at a time when OLA Electric is facing some serious turbulence. The electric vehicle manufacturer was recently involved in several controversies, including that of false February sales data. Comments also point to people being unhappy with the service quality and after-sales support as well...