Key Takeaways:
- Ola Electric’s Roadster X+ received government certification after clearing safety, performance and environmental tests.
- The 9.1 kWh battery pack, built with in-house 4680 Bharat Cell technology, earned ARAI approval under AIS-156 Amendment 4.
- Certification paves the way for deliveries and signals wider deployment of indigenous 4680 Bharat Cell packs across Ola’s two-wheeler range.
Ola Electric has secured government certification for its flagship Roadster X+ electric motorcycle, clearing the path for deliveries of the model powered by the company’s in-house 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack. The approval, granted under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, follows a series of safety, electrical, performance and environmental assessments prescribed for battery-operated two-wheelers.
4680 Bharat Cell powers Roadster X+
The Roadster X+ carries a 9.1 kWh high-energy-density battery pack built around Ola’s locally developed 4680 Bharat Cells. The pack received certification from the Automotive Research Association of India under AIS-156 Amendment 4, after clearing rigorous safety and durability trials. Tests included water immersion, thermal runaway and fire safety checks, along with mechanical endurance assessments such as vibration and shock.
In addition to the ARAI validation for the battery pack, the Roadster X+ itself was certified by the International Centre for Automotive Technology in Manesar. The validation programme covered constructional and functional safety, range, gradeability, noise, electromagnetic compatibility and braking performance among other parameters required by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Ola Electric said the certification marks a significant milestone for its effort to deploy indigenous cell and battery technology across its two-wheeler portfolio. The company had earlier introduced the S1 Pro+ scooter with a 5.2 kWh pack based on the same 4680 Bharat Cell format and has been ramping up deliveries of that model in several Indian states.
Company representatives emphasised that the Roadster X+ combines extended range with performance, safety and reliability, enabled by the end-to-end development of the cell and battery systems in India. With certification in hand, Ola will commence deliveries of the Roadster X+ model to customers.
Beyond immediate sales, the approvals carry wider implications for the domestic electric vehicle supply chain. Certification of indigenous 4680 Bharat Cell technology demonstrates progress in local manufacturing capability and product validation, factors that may help reduce import dependence and support cost competitiveness for Indian EV makers.
Regulatory clearances such as these also provide confidence to consumers and fleet operators by verifying that vehicles meet national safety and environmental standards. For Ola Electric, the combined approvals for the battery pack and vehicle are likely to accelerate the firm’s strategy of standardising its cell technology across scooters and motorcycles.
As the Indian EV market matures, locally developed battery technologies will play a larger role in shaping product differentiation and domestic industrial policy. Ola’s certification for the Roadster X+ with the 4680 Bharat Cell is a practical example of that trend and may encourage further investment in cell manufacturing and battery system engineering within the country.
