Ola patents electric city car design ahead of global debut

Ola Electric, which had earlier put its electric car project on hold to focus on developing and scaling its mass-market electric scooters, appears to be revisiting its four-wheeler ambitions. The company has now filed a patent for a small electric car, signaling a renewed intent to enter the electric passenger vehicle (E4W) segment.

The move aligns with Ola’s broader roadmap showcased during its Sankalp 2025 event, where the company revealed its Gen 4 modular platform. This new architecture has been designed to underpin a variety of vehicle types — including scooters, three-wheelers, and compact cars — giving the brand flexibility to scale across multiple categories with shared technology.

According to the patent, the upcoming Ola car seems to be a five-door hatchback with compact proportions, positioning it directly against the MG Comet EV, Tata Tiago EV, and VinFast Minio Green (patented in India, could see a market launch in future).

Judging by the initial drawings, the model is expected to prioritise urban practicality, affordability, and a futuristic design language consistent with Ola’s existing product identity. The Ola city car could come with its locally manufactured 4680 series battery cells, which were also unveiled at the Sankalp 2025 event.

The small electric car, likely to debut in the next couple of years will enable Ola in becoming a full-range EV manufacturer, spanning two-, three-, and four-wheeler segments.