Okinawa Okhi90 Electric Scooter Review: Too Much Money For Too Little A Scooter

A Rs 1.86 lakh price tag makes the Okhi90 among India’s most expensive electric scooters. 

• The Okhi90 gets a mid-mounted electric motor making 3.8kW of peak power. 
• Its 3.6kWh battery might sound decent but it’ll take a solid 5-6 hours to charge it up.
• In terms of features, meanwhile, it gets a fully digital instrument console. 

Okinawa holds a prominent position in the Indian electric 2-wheeler industry. While it has achieved significant sales figures, it had previously refrained from entering the upscale electric scooter sector. This stance has now changed. The company has unveiled its latest and most stylish scooter - the Okinawa Okhi-90. This move signifies its intention to compete in a new market segment occupied by models like the Ather 450X, Ola S1, and TVS iQube.

The burning question on the minds of the public revolves around whether the Okinawa Okhi-90 electric scooter justifies its price tag of Rs 1.86 lakh. What adds intrigue is Okinawa's bold assertions regarding this new addition to its lineup. In this review, we will delve into these claims and assess the true value of the Okinawa Okhi-90 electric scooter.

Okinawa Okhi90: Design & Features

The Okinawa Okhi90 showcases a restrained yet graceful design, characterized by its clean and minimalist aesthetics, resulting in an overall sophisticated allure. The judicious use of chrome accents on the apron, side panels, and rearview mirrors further amplifies a genuinely high-end impression.

In terms of features, the Okinawa Okhi90 is comprehensively equipped, boasting a fully digital instrument console. It encompasses a duo of riding modes – Eco and Power – while also integrating Bluetooth connectivity via a mobile app. 

The inclusion of turn-by-turn navigation, complete LED lighting, notifications for calls and messages, over-the-air updates, keyless entry, geo-fencing, music control, and a capacious 40-litre under-seat storage area aligns it with the contemporary standards. Additionally, an anti-theft alarm and a USB charging port augment its utility. The lighting system is uniformly powered by LEDs.

Okinawa Okhi90: Motor & Specs

Backed by a 3.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which fuels the 3.8 kW motor, the Okinawa Okhi-90 boasts impressive technical specifications. Both of these integral components are strategically positioned at the scooter's center, enhancing its overall balance. This design, coupled with its 1,520 mm wheelbase, imparts a strong sense of stability to the scooter, thanks to its low center of gravity. As a result, navigating through tight traffic and making lane changes becomes remarkably smooth and hassle-free. 

Okinawa Okhi90: Chassis

The presence of 16-inch wheels, with a 100-section tyre in the front and a 120-section tyre in the rear, ensures an abundant supply of traction and instills a sense of confidence that remains unwavering.

Its drawback becomes apparent in its riding dynamics, as its suspension system lacks the precise tuning and sophistication found in offerings from well-known manufacturers. The overall ride experience is notably rough, with the handlebar transferring a significant amount of road irregularities to the rider's arms. Additionally, the elevated handlebar design shifts the scooter's weight onto the rider's shoulders, leading to fatigue setting in within a short span of riding.

Okinawa Okhi90: Dimensions

While the majority of the part quality is deemed acceptable, the Okhi-90 significantly lags behind the standards set by mainstream manufacturers for entry-level two-wheelers. The chrome accents adorning the body might not withstand the test of time, as evidenced by the chrome-finished rear-view mirrors becoming loose after encountering a pothole during our test ride. 

Furthermore, the Okhi-90 incorporates a side-stand mechanism that lacks refined engineering, demanding a substantial effort from the rider's left foot to restore it to its resting position. This issue extends to the main stand as well, displaying an apparent lack of consideration in its design – it refuses to retract unless the scooter is tilted to one side and subsequently moved forward.

Okinawa Okhi90: Variants & Price

The Okinawa Okhi90 carries a price tag of Rs 1.86 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. It’s offered in various color options, encompassing Glossy Wine Red, Glossy Pearl White, Glossy Ash Grey, and Glossy Jewellery Blue.

Verdict

Boasting an eye-catching design that garnered substantial attention and sparked inquiries from both fellow motorists and pedestrians wherever this reporter halted with the electric scooter, the Okhi-90 undeniably exhibits an air of innovation. However, there remains an underlying sense that the product retains an unrefined nature, lacking the finesse and premium quality associated with certain established players in India's electric two-wheeler industry.

The prospect of acquiring an electric vehicle offering a commendable 160 km range but at a rather eye-watering ex-showroom price of Rs 1.86 lakh in Delhi would attract only few select buyers looking to genuinely consider an environmentally-friendly way of mobility.