Ola Electric Unveils Bharat Cell and Rare Earth-Free Motor at ‘Sankalp’

20 Aug 2025

Ola Electric recently unveiled its first domestically produced 4680 Bharat cell battery and a rare-earth metal-free motor during the annual 'Sankalp' event at the company's Gigafactory in Tamil Nadu. This marked Ola's debut public presentation at the 107-acre lithium-ion cell manufacturing plant.

The new 4680 Bharat cell, now available, delivers 10% greater energy density and boasts an impressive lifespan of around 15 years, according to the company. This advanced battery can power a range of applications, including Ola vehicles, solar energy storage systems, and even drones. Ola Electric also revealed the upgraded S1 Pro+ scooter, equipped with the 4680 cell. The scooter offers a top speed of 141 km/h and a promised range of 320 km. Its price has been reduced from ?1,99,999 to Rs 1,69,999, with deliveries set to begin on September 22. In addition, the company introduced the Roadster X+, featuring the new cell and an extended range of 501 km. The price has been slashed from ?2,24,999 to ?1,89,999.

Ola’s second major announcement revealed the development of a motor utilising ferrite instead of neodymium, effectively eliminating the reliance on rare earth magnets. These magnets, known for being the strongest permanent magnets, have become a growing supply risk for India’s automotive sector due to China’s tightening of export regulations. At the event, founder Bhavish Aggarwal highlighted, “The next generation of motor technology no longer requires rare earths, and our company has already made this a reality.”

The company also introduced MoveOS 6, the latest upgrade to its operating system, succeeding MoveOS 5. This new version adds several enhancements, including a voice assistant, an upgraded camera, customisable motor sounds, personalised ride insights, and a speed boost feature. Ola claims that MoveOS 6 will improve energy efficiency by 15%, reduce weight by 25%, and lower costs by 43%. These Gen4 upgrades are set to be released early next year.

As part of the MoveOS 6 rollout, Ola will introduce the S1 Pro Sport, a sport-orientated scooter priced at an estimated Rs 1,49,999, slated for launch in January 2026. Also, the company unveiled its upcoming electric bike, the Diamond Head, with a target release date of mid-2027.