Simple One Gen 2 Review: All Talk On Paper Or True Performer On Road?

The Simple One Gen 2 arrives with bold promises and specs that position it as a disruptor in India's electric scooter market. Priced aggressively around Rs 1.40-1.78 lakh (ex-showroom), this second-gen model from Simple Energy claims to fix niggles from the previous gen through a refined chassis, larger 5 kWh battery options, and more. But does it deliver the effortless performance needed for daily commutes, or remain a spec-sheet superstar? Our road test reveals the real story.

Familiar Yet Sharper Design

Visually, the Gen 2 doesn't stray too far from the first-generation model. The silhouette and sporty body lines remain largely unchanged, but there are a few subtle updates. The most noticeable addition is the pair of vents right on the head, not for aerodynamics or cooling hardware, but to keep the 7-inch TFT screen from overheating during operation. A clever design choice! All in all, the sharp lines and the sporty persona put the scooter high up on the Scoville scale.

Build quality feels improved overall, but not consistently so. The switchgear on the left side, particularly the indicator toggle, still feels flimsy and lacks the tactile confidence you'd expect in this price segment. On the right, however, things are better finished, with neatly integrated buttons for riding modes, cruise control, and even reverse assist. Speaking of cruise control, it's functional between 20 and 80 kmph, making long commutes less of a wrist strain.

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Comfort and Ergonomics: Much Improved

One of the complaints with the earlier Simple One was the seat comfort. Simple Energy seems to have paid attention to it this time around. The newly contoured seat offers a scooped design that holds the rider in place, even under hard braking. The foam density is on the firmer side but remains supportive. In my experience, it stayed comfortable through nearly 90 minutes of continuous riding.

Seat height has been brought down to 780 mm, which widens the scooter's accessibility to shorter riders. For me, who stands at 5 feet 9 inches, it doesn't make much of a difference. Combined with the neutral riding posture and generous floorboard space, it feels like the company has struck a nice ergonomic balance for riders hustling through traffic in an urban setting.

Ride and Handling: A Mixed Bag

The Gen 2 benefits from a lighter and better-balanced chassis thanks to its new single-piece battery pack layout, which also lowers the centre of gravity. As a result, handling feels noticeably sharper, it leans eagerly into corners, and feels planted in everyday traffic.

Ride quality, though, is a tale of two halves. The rear suspension is noticeably softer and does a commendable job of absorbing city bumps. The front fork, however, feels excessively stiff, transferring sharp jolts directly to the handlebars. Over broken roads, this minor flaw becomes rather apparent and can tire you out on longer rides.

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Powertrain and Performance: Packed With Energy

This generation's talking point is its 5 kWh battery, positioned in the floorboard. It's nearly 8 kg lighter than before and offers vastly improved weight distribution. Simple Energy also offers 4.5 kWh and 3.7 kWh variants, but the 5 kWh unit is clearly the sweet spot for range (265 km claimed) and performance. It is worth mentioning that it is now a single unit and comes without the removable battery pack.

The scooter features four riding modes: Eco, Air, Sonic, and Sonic X. Eco is best for calm city commutes, but switch up to Sonic X, and the scooter really comes alive. Throttle response is instant, and the acceleration feels brisk enough to keep up with traffic or overtake easily. For optimised results, it's better to use the mode when you are already rolling and have a decent speed of around 30-40 kmph.

A word of caution, though, using Regeneration Level 3 or 4 in the higher modes makes the system feel overly intrusive, almost as if the scooter is braking on its own. It doesn't cut off even when the scooter is slowed down and ends up bringing it to a complete halt. The feature is useful but needs finer tuning.

Braking and Dynamics

Braking duties are handled by disc brakes at both ends, and the difference between the two is quite distinct. The rear brake has a strong, confidence-inspiring bite, whereas the front remains progressive but slightly soft. It's easy to modulate but lacks initial sharpness. Still, during emergency braking, the scooter remains composed and stable.

Features and Connectivity

Tech lovers will appreciate the 7-inch TFT touchscreen, which remains central to all operations. Apart from basic readouts, it unlocks features like navigation, traction control, and various smart functions when paired with the mobile app. Connected tech includes geofencing, theft alerts, and over-the-air updates for select variants.

Only the base variant skips the touchscreen, limiting access to some of these conveniences.

Verdict: A Strong Step Forward

So, is the Simple One Gen 2 worth your attention? In most ways, yes. It's quick, balanced, and finally feels like a more mature product from Simple Energy. The performance, ergonomics, and battery placement make a strong case for urban riders.

However, availability and service networks remain key factors. If you live in an area with Easy access to Simple Energy showrooms and service centres, the Gen 2 offers plenty of value. The foundation is solid. Simple Energy just needs to keep building on it.

Photo Credits: Rakesh Singh