The Simple Wave is an interesting proposition in the increasingly crowded electric scooter space. Its rounded, smooth looks certainly grab attention and, as we found out, it is comfortable, spacious and offers brisk performance. There’s plenty to like here, so let’s dive right in.
Design is subjective, of course, but the Wave looks good to my eyes with its smooth, rounded edges and distinctive silhouette. It’s got a good level of finish too, and the brighter colour options – red and blue – help it stand out. Simple has designed the Wave as a more accessible, family-oriented scooter, without making it look or feel built down to a cost.
It has a quirky design and surely stands out, especially in the brighter colour options.
Compared to the sporty Simple One, the Wave’s chassis is quite different. The rear subframe has been reworked to accommodate the bigger boot and twin shocks (which replace the One’s monoshock). The Wave also uses a simpler, more cost-effective tubular swingarm instead of the cast unit on the One.
Lockable and weatherproof 4L“Pill” storage cubbies are a thoughtful touch, RH cubby is an accessory.
The differences only get more pronounced once you sit on the Wave. Its seat is long, wide and will easily accommodate two full-size adults, while its relatively low 775mm seat height makes it friendly for shorter riders.
That low seat height is no accident either; Simple took feedback from customers who had the One and incorporated it into the Wave. This is why the Wave also has a lower handlebar to make it more approachable for shorter and female riders. This has a trade-off, however. Taller riders will find the handlebar fouls their knees during tight, lock-to-lock U-turns.
Riding position is spot-on and ride comfort too is excellent.
Other than that, the Wave is rather sorted ergonomically. Ride comfort is excellent for a scooter, and that isn’t a surprise given that the Simple One itself was quite comfortable. The Wave builds on that with a composed and plush ride that suits its intended role.
Depending on the variant, the Wave weighs between 121-128kg with the 3.7kWh TFT variant provided to us sitting roughly in the middle of that range (124.5kg). We found the Wave handled predictably, without any unwelcome surprises, feeling stable and sure-footed without compromising agility expected of a scooter.
Spacious, well-paded seat can comfortably seat 2 full-size adults.
Like the One, the Wave offers really brisk performance, but still feels approachable enough for everyday use. The 3.7 version gets three riding modes – Eco, Ride and Sport – and both Ride and Sport offer more than enough performance for everyday use, which isn’t really a surprise. In Ride the top speed is 75kph, whereas Sport takes it up to 90kph (speedo-indicated, not actual).
The real surprise, however, is Eco mode. Yes, it feels duller than the other two modes, but it isn’t crippled in the way Eco modes on other EVs. The Wave can still get up to around 50-55kph quite respectably and overtake traffic, making Eco genuinely usable even on faster roads or in a big city.
It handles predictably and surefootedly in all scenarios.
Given that the Wave uses the same motor as the OneS making 6.4kW and 52Nm, this performance is no surprise. However, on the Wave, the motor drives the rear wheel via a chain drive, not a belt as seen on the One models.. While a chain will be more maintenance-intensive than a belt, replacing it should be more affordable. Simple has worked to reduce powertrain noise with measures such as a rubber-damped sprocket, but there is still some motor noise. However, it’s much quieter than an Ather Rizta or 450, although far from dead silent like an Ather Konarc or TVS iQube.
Another welcome change to the One is the throttle response. Unlike the older One models we tested, where the scooter could continue accelerating briefly after the throttle was closed, the Wave’s accelerator behaves much more intuitively. It also gets traction control, although the throttle calibration is so smooth, you’re unlikely to need it in dry conditions but it will be a useful safety net in the wet.
Fast 750W charger is standard on all variants.
Powering the Wave are four battery packs, depending on the variant you choose: 2.2kWh, 2.7kWh, 3.7kWh and 5kWh. The IDC ranges Simple claims are 110km, 132km, 171km and 243km, respectively. The first two use LFP (Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) chemistry, while the larger batteries use NCA (Nickel Cobalt Aluminium) cells.
The range indicator also appears to be quite trustworthy although we’ll reserve final judgement on real-world range until we can conduct a full test back in Mumbai. What is also nice is that all variants of the Wave come with a fast 750W charger which enables a pretty quick 0-80 percent claimed charging time of 3hr30min on the 3.7kWh version we were riding.
The standard warranty on the Wave is three years/30,000km, with five years/50,000km and 15 years/2 lakh km extended options also available. The price of these optional longer warranties has not been shared with us.
The Wave’s motor feeds power to the rear wheel via a chain, not a belt like on the One.
While range without sacrificing usable performance is surely valuable on an EV, practicality is an important consideration as well. Storage is one of the Wave’s big strengths. There’s a useful front cubby, while the two “Pill” storage boxes on either side of the body panels are particularly nifty allowing you quick access to essentials you may need to reach for without having to get off the scooter. Each offers 4 litres of lockable weatherproof storage; the left one is standard, while the right is an accessory.
An undoubtedly big USP on the Wave is its cavernous 63L boot, the largest on any Indian scooter to date.
What is also an undoubtedly big USP on the Wave is its cavernous 63 litre boot, which is the largest on any Indian scooter to date. This should prove to be more than enough for everyone in the family! That being said, 63 litres is an enormous number and while this boot is undoubtedly big, I’m do find myself struggling to comprehend how it is nearly 50 percent bigger than the already cavernous 43 litre boot in the River Indie.
There’s plenty of technology too, including hill hold, drop-safe functionality, theft alerts and Bluetooth connectivity to your phone via the app. The TFT-equipped versions bring even more tech, while the brake-lock clasp is a small but useful touch.
TFT display is well laid-out and has a lot of tech but misses touch functionality.
There isn’t a lot to dislike about the Wave as a scooter. It’s comfortable, spacious, well finished and quick enough to serve its intended purpose very well. However, for all its accomplishments, the Wave doesn’t come cheap. Sure, the Rs 1.10 lakh starting price is tempting, but as you climb the variants ladder, the Wave gets seriously expensive, topping out at Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). That said, Simple is one of the few brands offering the option of a 5kWh battery in the family e-scooter space, which is commendable.
However, more than pricing, the bigger issue is that the company is yet to properly scale up its dealer network and establish an aftersales network that delivers the premium experience a buyer will expect after shelling out the money Simple is asking for. The Wave is a good product, but customers paying a premium for an electric scooter will expect not just a solid product but also dependable after-sales support.
The Wave has a lot of strengths but Simple is yet to prove itself in the market.
Ultimately, the Wave’s biggest challenge is that it comes from a start-up that has made plenty of big promises and statements over the past five years but still has a lot to prove. Its dealer network remains minuscule compared with the big players, and long-term reliability still remains unknown.
There’s a lot for Simple to do, but the good news is that the Wave is a genuinely likeable product. If the company can iron out the business side of things, the Wave has the potential to catapult Simple from just another niche start up to a much bigger player. Of course, doing so is a huge challenge and not an overnight process. Simple has a long road ahead of it, but the good news is that it finally has a convincing product to aid in that journey.
