When modern EVs from two-wheeler start-ups are announced, they are often not even close to being ready. The Simple Energy One electric scooter, manufactured by Bengaluru-based Simple Energy, was officially “released” in August 2021, but it was still very much a prototype. We are finally getting to experience this eagerly awaited electric scooter, almost a full year after it was first announced.
Performance of Simple Energy One
When it goes on sale, Simple Energy boasts that this Simple Energy One electric scooter will be the fastest, and the specs clearly sustain that claim. Similar power output (4.5kW continuous/8.5kW peak) to that of the Ola S1 Pro is produced by the in-house built motor, but the 72Nm torque figure is unmatched in the e-scooter market. A top speed of 105 kph and a segment-best 0 to 40 kph acceleration time of 2.77s are also claimed by the manufacturer. Although those numbers are great, what really caught my attention was how smooth, predictable, and simple to use the throttle response is in each of the four riding modes.
However, the Simple Energy One scooter showed a little overshoot in the first two levels, continuing to accelerate for a short time after closing the throttle. To their credit, many EVs appear to struggle with a well-tuned accelerator response, but the Simple One is already far superior to most of the EVs we have tried. The company claims that when the scooters go into production, this will be completely fixed.
The scooter readily exceeded the indicated 80 kph in its peak Sonic level, even in the constrained location in which we had to ride. This should be among the fastest scooters in the nation because the whole performance seems just as swift as an Ola S1 Pro in super mode. But the range of the Simple One is really its strongest suit.
Battery Range of Simple Energy One
The Simple delivers far higher battery capacity than any other two-wheeler EV currently on the market with a 4.8kWh battery. In the lowest Eco mode, the business claims a real-world range of more than 200 kilometers, but that’s not the only alluring feature. A solution devised by Simple divides the battery’s capacity into a fixed battery that is 3.3 kWh in size and a removable battery that fits beneath the seat. The company will be able to easily manufacture a less expensive scooter in the future without the removable battery pack, which will help to some part alleviate charging anxiety issues.
Although Simple has done a fantastic job here, there is still something to consider. Due to the way it is constructed, the 7kg removable pack can only be used to power the Simple Energy One scooter in its slowest Eco mode and lacks the main pack’s heat management features. For about 30% of the total range, Eco mode will be required, reducing the top speed to 45 kph.
Charging of Simple Energy One
According to the manufacturer, it will take the Simple Energy One around 4 and a half hours to charge the scooter from zero to one hundred percent at home. In a first for the market, Simple says it would sell an additional fast charger for Rs 15,499 which will double the rate of home charging and cut the time in half. It’s important to note that the removable battery won’t begin to charge until the primary battery has reached 80% capacity.
Ride Handling in Simple Energy One
Since Simple offers market-leading levels of range, the performance is strong. The chassis appears to be extremely impressive in most aspects as well. Simple also designed the tubular steel chassis, and the company did a superb job with the suspension and braking systems. Although riders did note quite a bit of chassis flex at the steering headstock during harsh braking, the brakes are strong but simple to modulate. According to the manufacturer, this will be resolved before the scooters are put into production.
Aside from that problem, the scooter handled turns fairly well and did so while still appearing to have a comfortable suspension system. The scooter now has 90-section tires on both ends, and according to the manufacturer, the promised variation with thicker tires won’t be available for sale until later.
Features in Simple Energy One
The Simple Energy One scooter does appear a little different than it did during the launch event, as those of you who have been following the Simple One’s story closely since August last year may have noticed. That’s because the business has changed quite a bit since then, some of them rather drastically.
New LED lights at the front and back as well as various bodywork design adjustments have been made in the last year. Even though that’s already fairly considerable, the company didn’t stop there. They also changed the swingarm pivot angle by 2 degrees and the steering rake angle by 2 degrees.
Those are significant chassis alterations, but there are also other changes. This scooter ran on a chain drive system last year, but the business has prudently switched to a belt drive, which will turn out to be quieter and require less maintenance. The scooter has gained five kilograms overall, bringing its reported weight to 115 kg, which is still approximately 10 kilograms less than the Ola.
Price of Simple Energy One
On the plus side, Simple claims that despite significant supply issues, it is maintaining its initial quoted price of Rs. 1.1 lakh, ex-showroom, and the Simple Energy One scooter will be delivered to the first consumers at that price. For the extent of advertised performance and range, that is an incredible price. The Simple Energy One will undercut its competitors once it is ready for sale for as long as the business can afford to sell it at that price.
Conclusion
The Simple Energy One has a lot going for it, and the business is obviously attempting to address the problems of usability, range, and pricing all at once. Although We think the fundamentals are generally in place, Simple still has a lot of work to do if they want to handle everything before customers start purchasing scooters.
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