Ola Electric unveils 4680 Bharat cell, rare earth-free motor, and new EV lineup to reclaim market share
Bengaluru: At its annual ‘Sankalp’ event on Friday, Ola Electric launched its first indigenously developed 4680 Bharat cell battery along with a rare-earth metal-free motor, according to an Economic Times report.
The showcase, held at its 107-acre Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu, marked the company’s first public demonstration of its lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility.
The 4680 Bharat cell—available from today—offers 10% higher energy density and a claimed lifespan of around 15 years.
Designed for versatility, it can power Ola’s vehicles, solar-powered energy storage units, and even drones.
Scooters get more speed, range, and price cuts
The new S1 Pro+ scooter, equipped with the 4680 cell, boasts a top speed of 141 km/h and a promised range of 320 km. Its price has been reduced from ₹1,99,999 to ₹1,69,999, with deliveries starting September 22.
The Roadster X+ model, also powered by the new cell, offers a 501 km range and is now priced at ₹1,89,999, down from ₹2,24,999.
Rare earth-free motor targets supply risk
In a major technology shift, Ola introduced a motor built with ferrite instead of neodymium, eliminating the use of rare earth magnets—key components that face supply chain risks as China tightens exports.
“The next generation of motor technology does not need rare earths. And your company has already built it,” founder Bhavish Aggarwal told the audience.
MoveOS 6 brings AI and efficiency upgrades
Ola also unveiled MoveOS 6, its next-gen operating system, following MoveOS 5. The update introduces features such as a voice assistant, integrated camera, customisable motor sounds, personalised ride analytics, and a speed boost mode.
The company claims MoveOS 6 will enhance energy efficiency by 15%, cut vehicle weight by 25%, and lower costs by 43%.
These upgrades are set for release early next year, along with the launch of the S1 Pro Sport—a sport-segment scooter priced at a tentative ₹1,49,999—expected in January 2026.
Future plans: Diamond Head bike and NMC cell production
Aggarwal also teased the Diamond Head electric bike, targeted for mid-2027. Meanwhile, Ola is gearing up to mass-produce its in-house NMC 2170 lithium-ion cells at the Gigafactory.
Currently, the company sources cells from LG Chem in South Korea.
Battling market share loss and financial strain
The announcements come as Ola Electric faces mounting challenges. Its share in India’s electric two-wheeler market plunged from over 50% a year ago to 16.8% in early July, trailing TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto, according to ET.
The company is also under regulatory scrutiny and remains in the red, reporting a ₹428 crore net loss in the June quarter versus ₹327 crore a year earlier—though an improvement from the ₹870 crore loss in the March quarter. March quarter operating revenue stood at ₹611 crore.
With its 4680 Bharat cell, rare earth-free motor, and aggressive new product lineup, Ola is betting on innovation and self-reliance to claw back its lead in the EV market.
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