Ola Electric has announced the launch of Ola Shakti, its first residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), marking the company’s entry into India’s ₹1 trillion battery energy storage market. Ola Shakti is designed to store and provide clean energy for homes, farms, and businesses, using Ola’s advanced 4680 Bharat Cell technology developed for electric vehicles. This new product aims to replace traditional inverters and diesel generators by offering instant power backup, smart energy management, and voltage protection, while being fully weatherproof and highly efficient.
What is Ola Shakti?
Ola Shakti is India’s first fully indigenously designed, engineered, and manufactured residential BESS, leveraging Ola Electric’s expertise in battery technology and its Gigafactory production capabilities. The device helps households store electricity from the grid or renewable sources like solar panels and use it intelligently during power outages or high-demand periods. It integrates features such as instant power switching (at zero milliseconds), operating smoothly across a wide voltage range (120V–290V), and offering automotive-grade safety with up to 98% efficiency. The batteries are IP67-rated to ensure protection from dust, water, and harsh weather.
Features and Benefits
Instant Power Switching: Immediate backup without delay or appliance damage, unlike conventional inverters or diesel generators.
Smart Energy Management: Real-time monitoring and control of energy consumption to optimize usage and reduce electricity bills.
Voltage Protection: Safeguards appliances from voltage fluctuations typically experienced in Indian homes.
Weatherproof Design: IP67 certification ensures reliability even in heavy rains and dust conditions.
Advanced Functionalities: Includes Time-of-Day charging, remote diagnostics via connected app, OTA software updates, and expandable battery configurations.
Portability and Versatility: Can power essential home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, water pumps, and more, making it suitable for residential, agricultural, and small business uses.
Pricing and Availability
Ola Shakti is available in four battery configurations: 1.5 kWh, 3 kWh, 5.2 kWh, and 9.1 kWh, making it adaptable to different energy needs. The introductory pricing for the first 10,000 units is ₹29,999 for 1.5 kWh, ₹55,999 for 3 kWh, ₹1,19,999 for 5.2 kWh, and ₹1,59,999 for 9.1 kWh. Reservations opened with a booking amount of ₹999, and deliveries are expected to start from Makar Sankranti 2026. The product leverages Ola’s existing distribution network and Gigafactory production, enabling rapid scaling without additional capital expenditure.
Market Potential and Company Vision
India’s battery energy storage market is projected to grow to over ₹3 trillion by 2030. Ola Electric anticipates scaling its BESS consumption to 5 Gigawatt hours annually in the coming years. Ola’s founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal highlighted that India faces an energy storage opportunity rather than an energy shortage, and Ola Shakti aims to tap into this by providing energy independence to Indian homes and businesses. The company is also preparing a B2B product for larger grid and community applications, while Ola Shakti initially targets the consumer market. This product launch represents a strategic diversification for Ola Electric beyond electric vehicles into the broader clean energy ecosystem.
Challenges and Market Reaction
While Ola Electric is experiencing challenges with delayed vehicle launches and shrinking market share in its core EV business, the launch of Ola Shakti has been received positively by the stock market, with shares gaining around 15% in three sessions post-announcement. Industry experts view the move as a natural extension of Ola’s battery technology leadership but advise cautious scrutiny given the company’s operational hurdles. Nonetheless, Ola aims to capitalize on its manufacturing capabilities and existing service network to establish a strong presence in the home energy storage segment.
Ola Shakti is poised to transform residential energy storage in India by providing a clean, efficient, and reliable alternative to conventional power backup solutions, aligning with the country’s renewable energy goals and rising consumer demand for energy management innovation.