On July 5, Ola announced a significant shift from Google Maps to its proprietary mapping service, Ola Maps. This decision comes on the heels of Ola’s recent departure from Microsoft’s Azure platform. CEO Bhavish Aggarwal shared the news on Twitter, emphasizing the substantial cost savings achieved through this transition.
“After Azure exit last month, we’ve now fully exited Google Maps. We used to spend ₹100 crore a year, but we’ve made that 0 this month by moving completely to our in-house Ola Maps! Check your Ola app and update if needed 😉,” tweeted Bhavish Aggarwal.
In addition to this strategic move, Ola Electric in India plans to power its electric scooters with solid-state batteries by next year. Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder and chairman, announced that the company intends to utilize their cells for these scooters, which are among the top sellers in India.
Commercial production is scheduled to commence at Ola’s gigafactory in Southern Tamil Nadu. This gigafactory, operated by an Ola Electric subsidiary, has been selected for India’s battery manufacturing incentive scheme aimed at boosting local production and reducing imports.
Solid-state batteries are known for their improved safety, longer lifespan, and faster charging capabilities compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Source: Bhavish Aggarwal’s Twitter
