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The Simple One is priced competitively in the premium electric scooter segment, targeting riders who seek performance, practicality, and tech-savvy features.
Simple One Electric Scooter. (Photo: Samreen Pall/News18.com)
India’s electric two-wheeler market has seen significant growth over the past few years, with various manufacturers entering the segment to cater to the increasing demand for sustainable mobility.
Among the many options available, the Simple One electric scooter has generated quite a buzz, promising a mix of high performance, long range, and a feature-packed experience.
But how does it actually perform in real-world conditions? News18 took it for a spin, and here’s what we found.
Design
The Simple One has a modern, aggressive design that immediately catches attention. Its sharp lines, angular creases, and bold stance give it a sporty appeal. The front apron houses sleek LED lighting, while the aerodynamic side panels enhance its futuristic look. It retains a single-piece seat with a grab rail.
Overall, the scooter has a premium feel, setting it apart from conventional electric scooters.
Features
Speaking of features, the Simple One gets a seven-inch TFT touchscreen that provides all essential readouts. The interface is intuitive, allowing easy navigation through different functions. A standout feature is the battery indicator, which displays the combined battery percentage. Long-pressing it reveals the individual charge levels of the fixed and removable batteries.
Other notable features include Bluetooth connectivity, call and music controls, document storage, navigation, OTA updates, and four riding modes – Eco, Ride, Dash, and Sonic. Additionally, the scooter offers 30 litres of boot space, which expands to 35 litres if you remove the portable battery.
Performance & Battery
At the heart of the Simple One is a 4.5kW motor that produces 11.3 bhp and 72 Nm of peak torque. The scooter is quick off the line and offers impressive acceleration, especially in Sonic mode. It can hit a top speed of 105 km/h, making it one of the fastest scooters in its segment.
Powering the scooter is a 5kWh battery setup, which consists of a fixed 3.4kWh unit and a removable 1.6kWh unit. Together, they offer a certified range of 212 km. However, during our test ride in Sonic mode, we managed to achieve around 120 km, which is still quite practical for daily commuting. Charging takes approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes to go from 0 to 80 percent using the home charger.
Ride & Handling
One of the biggest highlights of the Simple One is its seating ergonomics. The riding posture is upright and comfortable, and the spacious floorboard ensures enough room for the rider. The handlebars are positioned slightly higher compared to other scooters, making long rides less tiring. Acceleration is good, especially in Sonic mode, making it feel peppy.
The scooter rides on telescopic front forks and a progressive monoshock, offering decent ride quality, while the 200mm front and 190mm rear disc brakes provide adequate stopping power. However, I noticed that under sudden braking, it takes a moment to slow down, which might be an area for improvement. The lean angles are also a bit limited, making sharp cornering slightly tricky.
When it comes to ride modes, the scooter offers Eco, Ride, Dash, and Sonic, catering to different riding preferences. Also, the portable battery limits the scooter to Eco mode, while the fixed battery enables access to all four riding modes.
Verdict
The Simple One electric scooter is an impressive package, offering great performance, a long riding range, and a tech-loaded experience. While there are a few areas where it could improve, such as braking response and lean angles, it still stands out as a strong contender in the premium EV segment.
Furthermore, the Simple One is priced at Rs 1.66 lakh (ex-showroom, Bangalore), making it a competitive offering in the premium electric scooter segment. Given its range, performance, and feature list, it sits in a sweet spot for those looking for an upgrade from traditional petrol-powered scooters.
- Location :
Bangalore, India, India
