Simple Energy’s first electric scooter, the One, was built with performance in mind. However, the Wave takes a different approach. It is meant to be the scooter that you ride every day, whether that means commuting to work, picking up groceries or taking a pillion with you. It is also the company’s first attempt at the now-blooming family scooter segment, where practicality and ease of use matter along with performance and range.
The Simple Wave is available with battery packs ranging from 2.2kWh to 5kWh, with claimed IDC range going from 110km to 243km. Prices start at ₹1.10lakh ex-showroom, making the entry-level version quite accessible. But it only tells part of the story. What matters is how the Wave feels when you actually ride it.
The first thing you notice about the Wave is that it doesn’t look like a typical Simple Energy product. The One has a sharp and sporty design, while the Wave uses more curves and flowing lines. A broad front apron, a long seat and a clean body design. Simple’s design inspiration of the swimming dolphins is quite evident and there are dolphin motifs on the scooter to remind you of it. Hence, the design should appeal to a much wider audience.
There is enough space for two adults on the 920mm long seat, and the riding position is upright and relaxed. The floorboard is also spacious, making it easy to move your feet around. With up to 70 litres of combined storage, bags and small grocery shopping trips are much easier to carry. The Wave is available with different display consoles depending on the variant. The higher versions get a 7-inch TFT screen, along with connected features such as navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and music and call controls. GripSense, Simple’s version of traction control is also available on the higher variants.
While the higher-spec versions use a 6.4kW motor and have a claimed top speed of 90kmph, we have ridden the one with the 3.7kWh battery pack. The throttle response is quite impressive, which makes it easy to ride in traffic. The Wave’s suspension setup is quite plush and is tuned to handle bumps and potholes without making it feel unsettling or overly bouncy. This is a prerequisite when considering a family scooter. You have different modes on offer, the Eco modes lean more towards extracting range while the ride and sport modes quickly switch the scooter’s personality making it quicker.
In terms of handling, the Wave does not disappoint. It is by no means very sporty, but it does what it is meant to do well, which is take on the city roads with grace. Be it neck-to-neck traffic or wide open roads, it makes riding relaxing for the most part. The braking department is also adequate, with a front disc and rear drum setup. The brakes have enough bite for normal riding, although I would have liked a slightly stronger initial bite from the front brake.
At ₹1.10 lakh, the entry variant of the Wave is quite approachable. However, when you move up to the bigger battery packs, the price rises steeply. The 5kWh version offers the longest claimed range, but it costs a lot more than the base variant. Although, it also gives the prospective buyers to choose what suits their needs. Additionally, the large storage space and easy to ride experience make it quite suited for all types of buyers, especially those who want simplicity and ruggedness for an electric scooter. And on that note, Simple Energy has built a scooter that makes sense.
Words Mrinmoy Choudhury
Photography Tanmay Vartak
