How River Indie Compete to Ola Electric in Riding Conditions
H. Karan Kumar
River, founded in March 2021, has quickly gained traction in the Indian market by focusing on its USP and developing and producing electric scooters in India for Indians. In a country where two-wheelers make up nearly 50% of the total EV sales, River aims to stand out with its innovative product offerings. The Indian government’s push for EV adoption and the increasing demand for sustainable transportation presents a significant opportunity for River to capture market share.
In e-scooters, the River Indie is making an impressive splash. Here’s a riding experience and how it compares with the Ola S1 Pro.
The River Indie Experience
The overall experience of riding the River Indie was overwhelmingly positive. enjoyed riding the scooter, and I would replace my internal combustion engine (ICE) scooter with this in a heartbeat, who recently shared his experience with other enthusiasts.
The Showroom Visit
The first encounter with the River Indie was at a showroom in Bangalore. Inside, the scooter was displayed in all its glory, decked out with all available accessories.
The product specialist, Madhu, provided insights into the scooter and explained that the showcased accessories were prototypes and not yet for sale. However, the company has plans to launch them in the future.
The Scooter’s Appearance
The River Indie is a sight to behold, with its 14-inch tyres and distinctive headlights. The display panel shows the range and charge percentage, while the suitable switchgear is designed with a button for selecting one of the three ride modes. These modes include Eco, Ride, and Rush.
The scooter also features a killswitch and hazard lights button. The standard indicator, high beam, and horn buttons are on the left. The handlebar is outfitted with a phone holder, a feature that stood out prominently.
River Indie Features
The front boot of the River Indie opens up to a space that can accommodate a water bottle, a small grocery bag, a rain cover, and more. It even includes a USB charging socket.
The left side of the scooter houses the charging socket. The panniers, which open with a key and can be easily removed, seemed good quality.
The Ride
The River Indie offers a comfortable and exciting ride. The Eco mode is perfect for traffic conditions, while the Normal mode is suitable for regular driving. However, the scooter truly shines in the Rush mode, offering a fast and thrilling experience.
The Scooter’s Specifications
Specifications:
Inde | Specification |
Range | 120km real world |
Top Speed | 90km/h |
Charging time | 5 hours |
Battery | 4kWh |
Motor | 6.7kW (PMSM) |
Charging cost | 4 units |
Fast charging | No |
Acceleration | 0-40 in 3.7 sec |
The on-road price of the River Indie is 1.47 lakhs in Bangalore. It boasts a range of 120 km In eco mode, 90 in ride mode, and 70 in rush mode. A 4.0 kWh battery pack powers the scooter and features front and rear dual suspension. A combined braking system (CBS) provides adequate braking power.
Additional Features
The scooter comes with a portable charger compatible with a 16A socket. The under-seat storage is a whopping 47 litres. There’s another USB charging socket on the right side under the handlebar.
The Verdict
The River Indie provides a smooth and comfortable ride, with its Rush mode offering a taste of speed and excitement. However, the lack of ABS at 1.47 lakhs is a noticeable miss.
Conclusion
The River Indie electric scooter is a promising contender in the e-scooter market. Despite the lack of ABS, the overall riding experience, aesthetic design, and practical features make it a worthy choice for any e-scooter enthusiast.
