Simple One Gen 1.5 Electric Scooter Launched!

Quick Highlights:

• Simple One Gen 1.5 launched in India.

• Gets extended range, TPMS, regenerative braking and more

• Price remains same at Rs 1,66,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru)

Simple Energy has launched the new Gen 1.5 Simple One electric scooter in India. Priced at Rs 1,66,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), it still costs the same as the Simple One Gen 1. Lets have a closer look at what this updated electric scooter has to offer.

Design 

The new Simple One Gen 1.5 looks quite appealing with its compact stance and striking colour options. The body panels on the Simple One are designed to make it look sharp and it does enhance its overall looks. The neatly integrated all-LED headlight, indicators and tail light also complement the design of the Gen 1.5 quite well.

Performance 

The Gen 1.5 retains the same battery pack and motor as the Gen 1. It gets a 4.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The motor produces 8.5kW of peak power and 72Nm of peak torque. This electric scooter now claims an IDC (Indian Driving Cycle) certified range of 248km, up from 212km on the earlier gen.  The claimed 0 to 40kmph of 2.77 seconds sounds decently quick.  The rear wheel is driven by a chain. 

Underpinnings 

There are no changes to the underpinnings with the update. The Simple One Gen 1.5 gets the same underbone chassis as before. It gets a telescopic fork and a rear monoshock. For braking duties it gets disc brakes at both ends along with the added assurance of CBS. It gets 12-inch alloy wheels for both front and rear.

Features 

The new Gen 1.5 gets an all-LED light setup along with the same 7-inch TFT display as before. The display gets auto-brightness, and visual themes, which should add to the riding experience. The display shows all the crucial information and supports smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth. It gets turn-by-turn navigation along with SMS/call alerts, music controls and document saving. Other important features include ride modes, TPMS, regenerative braking, Over The Air (OTA) updates, geofencing and park assist with both forward and reverse movement. For added convenience it gets a 30-litre underseat storage and USB charging port.

The new Simple One Gen 1.5 along with the extended range and added features, does appear as an even stronger contender in the market but there is only one concern. Simple Energy has only sold 2500 units so far, the dealership and service network too is quite small. With the launch of the Gen 1.5 Simple Energy has promised to open 150 new strores and 200 service centres across India. This will surely help Simple in catering a larger customer base and improve sales figures. As of now, waiting for a while will be a better option. According to its price of Rs 1,66,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), it competes against the likes of the Ather 450x, TVS iQube ST and the Ola S1 Pro+.