Purported Ola electric auto rickshaw spied on test in Chennai

A new electric three-wheeler has been spied on test in Chennai by Rushlane reader Agastine, and it could be the first Ola electric auto rickshaw that reportedly leaked via the below patent image last month. It features a 3+Driver seating layout, integrated headrest for all the occupants, and LED tail lights. These suggest that it is a high-speed model to be positioned against the upcoming Bajaj RE Electric and the Mahindra Treo.

The design of the tail lamps and the portion of the sides visible through the back glass is a strong indicator of this model being the same three-wheeler seen in the patent image below, and thus, possibly the Ola electric auto rickshaw.

Ola electric auto rickshaw to have solar roof

Ola electric auto rickshaw patent image solar roof
Patent image of the Ola electric auto rickshaw leaked last month. Image Source: gaadiwaadi.com

A patent image had reportedly leaked the design of the upcoming Ola electric rickshaw and hinting that it may feature a solar roof.

The Ola electric auto rickshaw features a space-focused design with no partition between the front seat and the rear bench. The rear bench could accommodate three passengers in decent comfort. Points worth noting are round headlamps, availability lights at the front and rear on the top and outside-mounted rearview mirrors.

The solar panel on the roof could be an optional feature available on the Ola electric auto rickshaw. It could serve as a range extender for customers who are willing to pay a premium for addressing their range anxiety. On a bright sunny day, the panels could offer between 15-25 km worth of extra distance.

Mahindra Treo top view - Auto Expo 2020
The Mahindra Treo received a solar roof last year, but only for demonstration purpose.

Mahindra & Mahindra has been toying around the idea of an electric rickshaw with a solar roof. The new Mahindra Treo with a solar roof, which debuted at Auto Expo 2020, was a sign of the company experimenting with solar energy for extending the range of its electric three-wheelers. However, Dr. Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, said in October last year that the Mahindra Treo with solar roof “was more of a demo” and revealed that “there is no plan” to launch it.

Ola electric auto rickshaw launch date

The Ola electric auto’s patent image releasing now hints that its launch could happen later this year or as the second product in 2022. Ola Electric plans to launch an Ola electric scooter first, though, and that will be a low-cost version of Netherland’s Etergo AppScooter. The company had acquired Etergo in May last year and is in the process of homologating the AppScooter with Indian regulators.

Ola Electric has announced that it will manufacture the vehicle at the world’s largest electric scooter plant in India, and even an Ola quadricycle could be made at this site.

Featured Image Source: rushlane.com/Agastine