Okaya Faast F4 Electric Scooter Review: Impressive Range, But Is It Worth the Price?

I recently had the opportunity to ride the Okaya Faast F4, and I must say I was quite impressed with its two-battery setup that claims to offer segment-leading range figures. The flagship model from Okaya, the Faast F4, has almost double the range of any other scooter in the company's portfolio, thanks to the two 2.2kWh batteries that give it a total capacity of 4.4kWh. While the high range numbers are impressive, the scooter comes with a hefty price tag of Rs 1.14 lakh ex-showroom, which puts it in direct competition with the Ola S1 Pro and the TVS iQube S, which offer a lot more in terms of features. So, does the Okaya Faast F4 pack enough of a punch to be the natural choice among such strong competition? Here's what I found out.

Design

The Okaya Faast F4 has a sharp design that looks particularly striking in the yellow color scheme that I rode. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the scooter looks very similar to most of the other electric scooters in the market, with similar body panels, switchgear, and instrument console layouts as well. Speaking of switchgear and instrument consoles, the Faast F4 uses a very basic negatively backlit LCD display that showcases the bare minimum in terms of ride data. This would be fine, but in today's day of connectivity and color TFT clusters, and especially considering the high asking price, it would have been nice to see a more premium instrument cluster. Even the switchgear feels built to a cost, with rather utilitarian feeling switches used to switch between the three ride modes.

In terms of practicality, the F4 has a generously sized cubby hold on the front apron with enough place to store a wallet and phone. You can even charge your phone on the go using the USB port placed near the storage space. However, the storage under the seat is a letdown as it isn't spacious enough to store the charger of the scooter. You can store a wallet and book at best, which is disappointing considering the under-seat storage is one of the primary USPs of a scooter. In terms of lighting, you get LED illumination across the board, which is expected given the price tag. The scooter is available in seven different color options, so you should definitely be able to find one to suit your taste.

Battery and Performance

The Okaya Faast F4 is powered by two batteries that put out a total of 4.4kWh, sending power to a motor that is capable of 1.6bhp of nominal power and 3.3bhp of peak power. As with most electric scooters, you get off the line fairly quickly, and the acceleration feels strong till about 30kmph after which it is a not so rapid climb to its claimed 60kmph top speed. The throttle response is not the best in terms of calibration, feeling slightly jerky. That could stand to do with a better tune. There are three riding modes to choose from, but the difference between the modes is not night and day. The change in acceleration is not so perceivable, and it is only the top speed that changes with each mode. Okaya claims about 160km of range in the real world, but the actual number is closer to 130-140km if ridden frugally. This is great, but do bear in mind that you are not going to be covering this distance at any speed, and neither will you be able to carry the charger along. Speaking of the battery, it can be topped up in around 5-6 hours using the provided charger, which is rather large in size.

In conclusion, the Okaya Faast F4 offers a segment-leading range figure of 160km with its two battery setup, but falls short in terms of features and overall performance when compared to its competitors like the Ola S1 Pro and TVS iQube S. The scooter has a sharp design and LED lighting, but its basic instrument console and switchgear feel built to a cost. The ride quality is also compromised due to the awkward riding position and stiff suspension setup, while the absence of a front disc brake is disappointing for a scooter in this price range. While the Okaya Faast F4 is a good-looking scooter with decent range, it lacks the overall refinement and features that would make it a natural choice among its competitors.