Can a new age EV take down one of the most popular scooters of all time
Nowadays, electric scooters have become quite common in the market. And one of the most popular e-scooters in India today is the Ola Electric S1 Pro.
On the ICE side, though, the title of the most popular scooter continues to be worn by the proven Honda Activa.
So, which one should you pick between these two? Well, we haven’t really compared these two in a proper review, but YouTuber ’My Motor Gaadi’ has pit these two scooters in a drag race, which should help you make your mind. Here’s how it went.
Disclaimer: We don’t support rash riding or racing on public roads. Please wear a helmet and other riding gear at all times while riding.
The Contenders
The Ola S1 Pro is powered by an 8.5kW motor mated to a 3.97kWh battery. It offers a claimed range of 181km in ideal conditions
The first contender in this race is the Ola S1 Pro, the company’s flagship offering. The scooter is powered by an 8.5kW motor (making 58Nm) along with a 3.97kWh battery. It comes with three riding modes and boasts a maximum claimed range of 181km in ideal conditions.
Next up, we have the Honda Activa.
The Honda Activa has been the go-to petrol scooter since its inception. Even with numerous, more powerful, and modern rivals, the Activa has stood its ground, repeatedly coming out as the highest-selling scooter in the country.
It is powered by a 109.5cc, single-cylinder engine that belts out 7.8PS and 8.84Nm. There are no riding modes here and the scooter offers a range of around 300km from its 5.3-liter fuel tank.
Ola S1 Pro vs Honda Activa Drag Race: Round 1
For the next race, the Ola rider puts the S1 Pro in the feisty Hyper mode and the race is much closer
For round 1, the Ola S1 Pro is set to its most frugal mode, i.e. Normal mode, which locks its top speed to around 70kmph.
As the race begins, the petrol-powered Honda Activa surges ahead of the Ola S1 Pro leaving it to catch up. However, at around 30-40kmph, the S1 Pro picks up its pace and flies past the Honda Activa.
However, at around 40kmph, the S1 Pro comes into its own and flies past the Activa, taking the win
The Ola S1 Pro ends the race with a decent lead over the Activa. The latter’s initial jump on the S1 Pro was quite surprising, though, especially considering the Ola has a huge torque advantage.
To seal this result, the YouTuber performs the race once again and the result was the same as before.
Ola S1 Pro vs Honda Activa Drag Race: Round 2
In the first race, the Ola is kept in its slowest mode
This time, the Ola rider switches to Hyper mode (the most powerful mode), insisting that the Activa won’t be able to get a jump on the e-scooter.
And this is exactly what happens, well, almost. You see, as both scooters accelerate, the Honda Activa doesn’t get a jump on the Ola but it manages to keep up with it. However, a few seconds later, the Ola S1 Pro shows its true performance and surges ahead taking the win by a substantial distance.
Had the race gone on, the Ola S1 Pro would’ve kept increasing its lead over the Activa, thanks to its much higher top speed.
Ola S1 Pro vs Honda Activa Drag Race: Round 3
For the final round, the Ola S1 stays in its Hyper mode but takes on a pillion. Do you think the Activa can win now? Swipe up to find out.
For the final round, the Ola S1 Pro remains in Hyper mode but now carries a pillion, while the Activa continues with only a rider.
With the added weight, the Ola S1 Pro suffers a little, once again handing the initial lead to the Activa. But as soon as the pace picks up, the Ola S1, like in round 1, flies past the Activa, making it a clean sweep for the EVs.
Final Thoughts
YouTuber ’My Motor Gaadi’ has pit the Ola S1 Pro e-scooter and the Honda Activa against each other in the drag race
From the video, we can conclude that the Honda Activa is still an impressive scooter in its own right with decent acceleration, crucial for city riding. Not to forget, it is much more affordable than the Ola S1 Pro, even after FAME-II and state subsidies in action.
Regardless, the Ola S1 Pro is the faster scooter between the two. It might be a little slow off the line, but it more than makes up for it as the speed increases.
Now that you know the Ola S1 Pro is faster than the Honda Activa, which scooter would you pit it against if given a choice? Let us know in the comments.
Watch the full video here:
Keyword: Ola S1 Pro vs Honda Activa: An EV vs ICE Drag Race You Don’t Want To Miss