India’s Ola Teases a Bold New Step: ‘Non-Vehicle’ Launch Raises Eyebrows

Ola, the electric mobility company known for its scooters and ride services, is preparing to unveil what could be its most unexpected product yet: something that isn’t a vehicle. The announcement, set for 10 a.m. on Thursday, promises to mark a pivotal inflexion point as Ola casts its ambitions beyond mobility and deeper into the domain of energy.

In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Ola’s founder, Bhavish Aggarwal, advanced a previously scheduled launch, writing, “Launch revised to tomorrow 10 am!” The accompanying teaser image bore the Hindi word “Shakti” (meaning “power”) in Devanagari script a clear signal that whatever is coming is meant to be about energy. Earlier, the unveiling had been slated for Diwali on October 17.

“Power has always been a utility, but now it becomes deep tech intelligent, portable, and personal,” Mr Aggarwal declared in the post, suggesting that the product transcends mere hardware.

A Surge of Speculation

On social media, the teasers lit up imaginations. Some users playfully speculated that the product might be India’s answer to the Apple HomePod, though others envisioned entirely different possibilities. “Feels like Ola’s now positioning itself as an energy player, not just mobility,” read one comment. Another: “Can’t wait to see what Shakti actually is.”

Analysts and market watchers are already framing this as a strategic pivot. If the product indeed taps into energy storage or distributed power systems, it opens a new addressable market for Ola. Some estimates suggest India’s domestic energy storage sector could eventually be worth tens of billions of dollars.

A Strategic Gamble

Ola’s venture into a non-vehicle product is bold, the kind of gamble that has paid off for tech companies willing to leap into adjacent domains. But it also carries risks. Competing against incumbents in the energy space, from battery makers to power hardware firms, will test Ola’s engineering, operations, and execution capabilities in unfamiliar terrain.

Still, the timing is telling. India is racing to integrate more renewable energy and decentralise its grid. A portable, intelligent power device, if realised could address real gaps in homes, businesses, and rural settings. For Ola, the move also signals a bet on its reputation and brand strength. If customers trust the company with their ride, perhaps they’ll trust it with their electricity, too.