Ola, one of the world's leading mobility firms, has introduced a new electric vehicle category on its ride hailing app, allowing passengers to request rides in fully electric vehicles. The category, dubbed Ola EV, is a first for Ola and will be available in London, with plans to expand to other cities around the world as time goes on.

On the Ola app, the Ola EV category will cost the same as the comfort category. Ola EV currently has 700 drivers in London, and this number is expected to rapidly increase in the coming months.

This is the first of many steps Ola will take in the coming months to demonstrate its dedication to green transportation networks, zero-emission travel, and to help the Mayor of London's ambitious efforts to boost air quality across the capital.

Ola will deliver a market-leading zero percent commission rate on all electric rides for the first three months to encourage drivers to use the new Ola EV category. Ola expects to expand incentives across key alliances after the launch to include simple and affordable choices for drivers and riders to move to fully electric vehicles.

This driver-centric approach would help to increase the number of fully electric Private Hire Vehicles (PHVs) in use while also providing riders with another green alternative for their travel needs.

Ola has approached sustainability and electric mobility from a wide perspective. The company recently announced the opening of the world's largest two-wheeler factory in Tamil Nadu, which will be used to manufacture its electric two-wheeler lineup.

Ola is constructing the Futurefactory at breakneck pace, with the first phase set to open this summer and the entire facility ready by next year. This facility will manufacture the company's electric two-wheelers, which will be spread across 500 acres of land with ten production lines and a staggering capacity of 10 million units per year. In the near future, Ola expects to launch the vehicle in the United Kingdom and Europe.

With the newly announced Ola Hypercharger Network, the charging network for Ola's upcoming two-wheeler products, beginning with the Ola Scooter, which will be introduced in the coming months, Ola will also provide charging solutions to all of its electric two-wheeler customers.

Ola will provide its electric vehicle customers with the most extensive range of charging solutions through a combination of widely distributed high-speed Ola Hyperchargers and the home-charger that will come bundled with the Ola Scooter.

“Since launching in the UK, Ola has consistently looked to innovate and help solve the toughest mobility challenges. The launch of Ola EV is another great example, offering riders and drivers the opportunity to play their part in the journey to emission free rides. I am especially proud of the initiatives we are putting in place to help drivers make the switch to fully electric vehicles and that we have been able to do this at no extra cost to riders. I am excited to launch this category as a global first for Ola and while Ola EV will start in London, we can’t wait to begin expanding it across the country and cities around the world”, said Marc Rozendal, Managing Director, Ola, UK.