Ola Electric Acquires Etergo, Dutch Company Behind Electric AppScooter

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Ola, India’s largest ride-hailing company, expanded into the e-mobility sector in March 2019 with a separate company called Ola Electric. Today, Ola Electric announced that it has acquired Dutch-based electric scooter company Etergo, a company that CleanTechnica visited in late 2019.

Etergo was supposed to start shipping its highly anticipated AppScooter in Spring 2020, but this got delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The AppScooter is an electric smart scooter that many, including us, have dubbed the Tesla of scooters. The vehicle has up to 240 km of range, removable batteries, 50 liters of storage under the seat that will even fit a large beer crate, a big touchscreen on the steering wheel, acceleration to 45 km/h within just 3.9 seconds, and a lot more. To say that it is an electric beast would be an understatement.

Etergo’s AppScooter Timeline as of February 2020 | Source: Etergo

According to their update in February the company still believed that they can start delivering their smart scooter in the first half of 2020, but as of right now the company has not yet delivered a single scooter to customers.

Next-Generation AppScooter for the Asian Market

Etergo AppScooter & Rebranding Unveil Event | Source: Etergo

What is not well known by many is that Etergo’s plan for the future centered around a cheaper model ideal for the Asian market. Hence, it is not surprising that a major company from India was interested in Etergo. The way I described it in my previous article about Eterogo, the current AppScooter is Etergo’s Model S, whereas the next-generation scooter will be its Model 3. It will be cheaper and easier to mass produce, with maybe fewer features but probably not a lot less. We jokingly referred to it as the Applet scooter. Most importantly, 60% of the Asian market will be able to afford it. These plans might now be accelerated.

Ola Electric’s Press Release

At this moment in time, very little is known about the deal, but it could not have been cheap for Ola Electric, since Etergo is almost at one-tenth of Ola Electric’s valuation. What this acquisition will entail for Ola Electric or Etergo’s future also remains unknown.

In Ola Electric’s press release, its founder and CEO, Bhavish Aggrawal, said:

“With electric, digitally connected capabilities, two-wheelers will further emerge as the most preferred urban mobility paradigm around the world and empower every consumer. We look forward to building the best global capabilities in engineering, design, and manufacturing for these products to be made here in India.”

He also said:

“I am very excited to welcome Bart, Marijn, and the entire Etergo team to Ola Electric and look forward to working closely with them to build towards our vision of making electric mobility, a reality at scale.”

So far, Etergo has not directly commented on the matter. The only statement available is the one in Ola Electric’s press release in which Etergo cofounder and CEO, Bart Jacobsz Rosier, expressed his admiration for Ola and his excitement to join Ola Electric.

Etergo has not yet replied to our request for comment. We will update this story when they do. In the meantime, make sure to watch (and read) about our interview with Etergo (above) and read our interview with Ola Electric cofounder Anand Shah


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Chanan Bos

Chanan grew up in a multicultural, multi-lingual environment that often gives him a unique perspective on a variety of topics. He is always in thought about big picture topics like AI, quantum physics, philosophy, Universal Basic Income, climate change, sci-fi concepts like the singularity, misinformation, and the list goes on. Currently, he is studying creative media & technology but already has diplomas in environmental sciences as well as business & management. His goal is to discourage linear thinking, bias, and confirmation bias whilst encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and helping people understand exponential progress. Chanan is very worried about his future and the future of humanity. That is why he has a tremendous admiration for Elon Musk and his companies, foremost because of their missions, philosophy, and intent to help humanity and its future.

Chanan Bos has 118 posts and counting. See all posts by Chanan Bos