Ola Electric Delays Launch of Gig Models, S1 Z, Electric 3Ws

Electric two-wheeler major Ola Electric Mobility Ltd is delaying the delivery of its new models including those designed for gig workers, affordable version of its popular S1 as well as its electric three-wheelers, citing that the automaker’s current focus is on the Roadster platform, alongside efforts to improve cost structure and sales across its network.

“We are delaying the S1 Z, Gig/Gig+ and some other future products and will sequentially launch these products such that each product receives the right customer mindshare,” Ola Electric founder, Chairman and MD Bhavish Aggarwal told investors.

In November, Ola announced the launch of its first B2B-oriented electric scooter Ola Gig in two variants – Gig and Gig + - in the price range of Rs 39,999-49,999. It also announced the S1 Z at Rs 59,999, targeting urban commuters and small business owners. The S1 Z is the same as its popular S1 series models but comes at a more accessible price point.

Both these models’ deliveries were expected to start in April. Ola Electric had also earlier said it has been working on a portfolio of electric three-wheelers. Although the company did not exactly mention the time for three-wheeler launch, its earlier investor presentation showed that a passenger three-wheeler is being planned for the first half of 2026 while a cargo three-wheeler is slated for the second half of 2026.

“Our focus right now is the Roadster platform, which is Roadster X, X Plus, and then the Roadster itself, Roadster and Arrowhead. The Gig, Gig Plus, Z, as well as the three-wheeler platforms will be a little later,” Aggarwal said.

There has been a delay in starting the deliveries of the Roadster motorcycle as well. Iniitally, delivery was slated to begin in March, which was postponed to April, and then finally started on May 21.

Ola Electric has been witnessing increasing pressure on its market share amid strong competition from traditional two-wheeler makers including Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor. The automaker saw its volumes drop in all the four quarters of FY25 on a sequential basis, and has lost its number one spot in the recent months.

Ola Electric has been focusing on expanding its stores and service infrastructure over the last couple of quarters amid operational challenges in services and registrations, while improving efficiencies. The company has now expanded to about 4,000 stores in total, and has brought down the service turnaround times down to 1.1 days.

The automaker has also been focusing on reducing the cost structure for the auto business to break even in terms of operating profit. The company has set a target of reducing its auto segment’s operating cost structure to Rs 110 crore through Project Lakshya that was launched last November. 

While the operating cost stood at Rs 175 crore in Q3 FY25, it has since dropped to Rs 121 crore as of April 2025, and the company is confident of hitting the Rs 110 crore target by June.

“Our focus now is to increase productivity, sales productivity as well as sales per store of these stores that we have opened up. That is the focus for this quarter, as well as for the next couple of quarters. And this becomes increasingly relevant with our bike [Roadster] coming into the markets,” Aggarwal said.