Ola Electric announced that by March 2023, the company will open 500 experience centers across the country. The electric two-wheeler maker currently operates more than 200 experience centers across India and aims to further expand its presence. Notably, Ola Electric has doubled down on expanding its centers after initially opting for an online-only D2C business model.
The brand’s turnaround comes after a rocky start after debuting the Ola S1 electric scooter. Due to production and delivery delays, product issues and repeated fire incidents last year, the manufacturer chose to bring the brand to customers through a physical store setup rather than an all-virtual model. Note that bookings and payments are still made online on the company’s website and mobile app.
Also read: Ola S1 and S1 Air get low-range 2 kWh option, priced from ¥84,999
Commenting on the expansion, Anshul Khandelwal, Chief Marketing Officer, Ola Electric said, “The Ola Experience Center has been a great move for us at Ola Electric since its inception. are all closer to our consumers and I believe their contribution to making the S1 the best selling EV 2W in India cannot be overemphasized.These company owned and operated centers not only allow EV enthusiasts to explore and purchase our products and provide Their vehicles provide services and are also a good platform for us to gain a deeper understanding of customers’ thinking and continuously improve our products and services. The rapid expansion of these centers in tier 3 and tier 4 cities will help us achieve continuous growth in India. The real potential of the growing EV market.”
Ola’s S1 range of electric scooters recently added a low-range 2 kWh battery option
Today, Ola says, about 80 percent of the company’s customers live within a 20-kilometer radius of its experience centres. The center also brings together all services under one roof, including test drives, product information, purchase assistance, financing options and more. The centers also double as one-stop shops for after-sales care and service for the brand’s range of electric scooters.
Also read: Ola Electric makes big move into electric motorcycles, launches five products
Ola Electric has recently expanded its product portfolio by further launching the S1 Air and updated versions of the S1 electric scooter. The models are now powered by 2 kWh, 3 kWh and 4 kWh battery packs.Manufacturer starts taking pre-orders for the S1 Air ¥999. The new Ola S1 2 kWh variant will start deliveries in March this year, while the S1 Air will start deliveries in July.
Ola also teased its upcoming line of electric motorcycles, which are expected to hit the market next year. The company is likely working on different body types, all of which could use a familiar base. It remains to be seen whether Ola will replicate the same 11 kW mid-drive motor found in the S1 range on an upcoming e-bike. Additionally, the company is working on an electric vehicle that will be launched in 2025.
First published date: Feb 15, 2023 at 14:43pm CST
https://auto.hindustantimes.com/auto/electric-vehicles/ola-electric-announces-500-experience-centres-by-march-2023-41676451041956.html