Ather

Ather 450S electric scooter service costAther electric scooter owner voices dismay over escalating service costs, attributing the issue to the transition from company-run to dealer-run service centersArun Bhat S, an avid owner of an Ather 450S, took to social media recently to express his disappointment with the service costs associated his electric scooter. In a tweet that resonated across the EV community, Arun lamented what he perceived as a stark departure from Ather Energy’s earlier promise of low service and maintenance expenses.Ather 450S Owner’s Post Sparks ConversationSharing his recent service experience, Arun revealed that the quote for servicing his Ather 450S electric scooter at the 30,000 km mark, amounted to Rs 7,500. Arun says that his Kia EV6 which was serviced at 20,000 km, had similar service cost. Work done on his Kia EV6 included AC filter replacement, wheel alignment, balancing and rotation.Ather 450S electric scooter service costArun disclosed that the lion’s share of the Ather service cost was attributed to an overhaul of brake components. This revelation contrasted with his experience with electric cars, where extensive brake maintenance is uncommon due to minimal use, especially in vehicles equipped with regenerative braking systems like the Ather 450S.Arun highlights that when earlier he had subscribed to Ather’s pro service packs for his scooter, it was a peaceful experience. But with service packs discontinued by the company, many Ather owners are facing issues with service cost. He says that Ather’s transition to a dealership model for service might have contributed to the surge in costs, suggesting that only fuel savings could somewhat justify such expenses in the grand scheme of total ownership costs.Ather 450S electric scooter service costAther’s Service Subscription Revisit: Customer DemandsDrawing comparisons, Arun noted that his experience with the Ola S1 Pro electric scooter, another vehicle in his possession, hadn’t encountered similar issues with service costs thus far. Urging Ather Energy to reconsider the decision to discontinue service subscriptions, Arun emphasized that exorbitant service costs have been a significant pain point for numerous Ather customers.Ather 450S electric scooter service cost quoteAccompanying his social media post was a photo of the service quote, where Arun couldn’t help but express his astonishment at the charges for labour and parts. The total amount indicated on the service quote stood at Rs 10,872, prompting Arun to express his incredulity at the apparent disproportionality of the charges.Ather RespondsAther has gotten in touch with Arun, who has shared all the necessary details. Arun replied, “My larger point is about the exorbitant service and maintenance costs now all owners seem to be made to bear. This wasn’t the case earlier, when the service centers were company run and not dealer run. Customers first always.”Arun’s media post has sparked conversations among electric vehicle and Ather owners, highlighting worries about how much it costs to maintain and how transparent are those costs. As the electric vehicle industry continues to evolve, Arun’s experience serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between innovation and affordability for consumers. More

Ather Rizta Vs RivalsThe new family-oriented Ather Rizta electric scooter packs up to 3.7 kWh battery promising a range of up to 160 km on a single chargeRizta marked a new direction for electric mobility solutions provider, Ather Energy. This is the first time Ather Energy has forayed into practical family-oriented scooter territory with Rizta. Like other Ather Energy offerings, Rizta promises a robust, over-engineered battery and safe ownership experience. What else does it offer? How do rivals fare? Let’s take a look.Ather Rizta Vs Rivals – Is the price justified?Except for Bajaj, all the other electric scooters quote “effective” ex-showroom prices in different cities with different region-wise subsidies. So, to keep it fair, we took real ex-showroom prices without any subsidies. There’s a reason why we took top-spec S1 Pro Gen 2, Simple One and Vida V1 Pro for this comparison.Pricing is always confusing with Ather scooters. In this sense, Ather Rizta costs between Rs. 1,35,000 and Rs. 1,62,400 (“real” ex-sh) and these prices do not include all the trendy features that Ather announced on stage. To get those features, you need an optional Pro Pack (Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 20,000) which takes Rizta’s pricing between Rs. 1,48,000 and Rs. 1,82,400 (ex-sh). However, Ather does offer something called “Price Benefit” ranging between Rs. 7,401 and Rs. 15,001.So, the quoted price without EMPS for Rizta is between Rs. 1,19,999 and Rs. 1,54,999 (with Pro Pack). Rizta is not Ather’s flagship, but top-spec Z 3.7 kWh variant with Pro Pack costs more than S1 Pro Gen 2 (ex-sh), which is Ola’s flagship offering. With Pro Pack, Rizta costs more than iQube, Chetak, Ola S1 Pro, Simple One and Vida V1 Pro.Ather Rizta Vs Rivals – DimensionsWhere powertrains and range are concerned, Rizta’s 4.3 kW peak power falls short of every other rival, except for 2024 Chetak with 4.2 kW electric motor. If we bring Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 with 11 kW peak power into the equation, Rizta is almost 3 times less powerful and has three times less torque. Powering the motor, Rizta gets either 2.9 kWh or 3.7 kWh battery options. Where battery size is concerned, nothing beats Simple One with a total of 5 kWh capacity.Performance, range and featuresAther Rizta packs a mid-mounted motor driving rear wheels with a belt drive. This setup ensures a smooth and vibe-free riding experience. Only the TVS iQube gets a rear hub motor. Top speed is limited to 80 km/h on the Rizta. This is not bad when compared to 73 km/h, 78 km/h and 80 km/h top speeds of Chetak, iQube and V1 Pro respectively. Ather’s own 450X can do 90 km/h, Simple One can do 105 km/h and Ola S1 pro Gen 2, which costs less than Rizta, can hit 120 km/h.Rizta’s base S trim lacks the TFT dashboard and lacks a larger 3.7 kWh battery pack option altogether. Even the top-spec Z trim lacks rear disc brakes and gets skinnier tyres than Ola S1 Pro. Rizta gets just two riding modes – Zip and SmartEco. Except for iQube and Chetak, other rivals offer more riding modes to ensure a balance between performance and range.Ather Rizta Vs Rivals – SpecsSpeaking of range, Rizta promises a claimed range of up to 160 km. But Simple One takes the cake here with 212 km promised range on a single charge, owing to its larger 5 kWh battery. Ola isn’t far off, with a 195 km claimed range with S1 Pro Gen 2.ConclusionRizta’s marketing elements include longest 900mm seat, optional 22L flexible frunk, pillion backrest and a flat floorboard. Rizta also has a wireless charger under its seat to charge their new Halo helmet (bought separately). If you are among the target demographic of these marketing elements, Rizta makes a lot of sense.Ather Rizta Vs Rivals – FeaturesPeople already in Ather’s ecosystem or buyers smitten by Rizta’s sleek design can go for it too. But if you are looking for VFM products, Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 still takes the crown owing to its customer-centric approach. When compared to Rizta, S1 Pro is 3 times more powerful and torquey, while costing less. There are no optional packs with Ola. So, what you see is what you get, which is always nicer. More

Ather Rizta TVC ShootUpcoming Ather Rizta TVC shoot images show the family-oriented scooter without camouflage soon to rival Chetak, Ola S1X+, TVS iQube and Vida V1Bengaluru based electric mobility solutions provider, Ather Energy, is prepping to launch its first-ever family-oriented scooter in India. The venue is set for Rizta and will be unveiled at Ather’s Community Day on 6th of April 2024, tomorrow. Ahead of launch, Rizta has been spotted undergoing TVC shoot, showing the bike without any camouflage.Ather Rizta TVC Shoot Images LeakedAfter serving young and enthusiastic scooter buyers with 450 range, Ather Energy has expanded its vision to cater to a much more mature audience. This vision has been materialised starting with Rizta, Ather’s first family-oriented scooter. There could be more variations of this Rizta in the future, like we have 450S, 450X and 450 Apex.Rizta is unlike Ather’s past strategies where it has tried to build a community of thrill seekers and tech enthusiasts. Further influencing an ecosystem for younger audiences. Rizta is set to launch on Ather’s Community Day scheduled on 6th April, 2024 in Bengaluru.Ahead of the official launch, Ather Rizta electric scooter has been spotted without any camouflage for the first time. Automotive enthusiast Nihar Amrute has shared the images of the upcoming Ather Rizta in our Rushlane Spylane Facebook Group. By the looks of it, Rizta seems to be out for a TVC shoot and that’s when these images were papped.Ather Rizta TVC ShootWe can see a clean and uncluttered design with a minimalistic approach. But there is a bulk associated with Rizta that we didn’t see with 450 range of athletic scooters. This bulk is owing to a larger frame that will be far more practical and accommodating than the 450 range. Large ORVMs and large dashboard are notable elements too.In that regard, we can see a large seat that Ather is marketing to the full extent and even set up a giant billboard in Mumbai. Design is iQube-ish, but has its own unique take. We can see sleek rear tail lights, a large grab handle for pillion and a pillion backrest. This backrest is less likely to be a standard fitment.Ather Community Day 2024Powertrain details are not yet out and is likely to feature the same components as 450S, owing to its expected affordable price tag. Ather is demonstrating the safety of their battery by various marketing stints including a 40-feet drop and water wading tests. Among the e-scooter manufacturers, Ather seems to be the one with the safest track record too.Componentry will not be as premium as 450 range. So, the rear disc brake is missing on Rizta and we don’t expect it to feature an aluminium chassis as well. Apart from Rizta launch, Ather’s Community Day will witness the launch of the latest AtherStack OS and a special smart accessory. More

Ather Rizta Water Wading TestUpcoming Ather Rizta family scooter rivals TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ola S1 X+ and other ICE offerings like Honda Activa, TVS Jupiter and othersIn the pursuit of diversifying its portfolio, Ather Energy is exploring alternative scooter genres. After selling sporty and enthusiastic 450 range of electric scooters to thrill seekers, the company is stepping into family scooter genre with Rizta. A recent water wading test video of upcoming Rizta has aired on social media, revealing new info about the scooter.Ather Rizta Water Wading Test VideoBengaluru-based electric mobility solutions provider understands the need for different vehicles for different target demographics. There is no one solution fit for all. Ather Rizta enters the chat and brings along with it all the practicality that one could expect from a conventional family scooter.Ather Rizta ProfileIn a recent video uploaded on social media by Ather Energy Co-Founder, Swapnil Jain, we can see the scooter soldiering ahead in 400mm deep water trench without a breakdown. This test demonstrates IP67 rating (ingress protection) of vehicle’s electrical components like battery, and motor.We can see Ather Rizta water wading test demonstrating waterproof ratings of Rizta’s components. In a previous video, Ather Energy went to great heights to demonstrate battery’s durability. Literally dropping the battery from a height of 40 feet. However, the recent video also reveals many interesting details about this upcoming family scooter from Ather Energy.Ather Rizta Water WadingFor starters, many will surely confuse Rizta with TVS iQube, owing to innumerous uncanny similarities between the two. It is interesting because TVS iQube is the primary rival for Ather Rizta. Striking similarities include sleek horizontal LED headlight shape and positioning along with LED DRL positioning.Tail light shape seems to be similar too, but tail light positioning is slightly different between the two. Rear grab rail is sleeker on Rizta than iQube. As per Ather, Rizta’s key strengths will be a flat floorboard, largest seat in segment, large under-seat storage and other attributes.Rizta to get a TFT touchscreen?In the recent water wading video, we can see a large fully digital instrument cluster. Ather has blurred the screen of this electric scooter in their video. However, there is a possibility of this being the same 7-inch TFT colour touchscreen as 450X and not the LCD unit on 450S as speculated before.Ather Rizta DashboardFeatures-wise, there will be Bluetooth connectivity, navigation or Google Maps (depending on screen), music control and other crucial vehicular info. Ather Rizta will break covers at the company’s Community Day event on 6th April 2024. Powertrains could be shared with Ather 450S and the company is likely to keep pricing competitive. More

Ather Rizta Battery DroppedAther is getting ready to launch a new electric scooter next month – Ahead of that, they us battery drop test of this new scooterElectric 2W mobility solutions in India have been on the rise. Many OEMs are springing up to cater to this increasing demand. Ather is one of those OEMs and is currently one of the best-selling electric 2W vehicle manufacturers in India. The company’s upcoming Rizta family scooter will feature over-engineered batteries as demonstrated in a video.Ather Rizta Battery Dropped From 40 FeetNot only is the upcoming Rizta Ather’s first family scooter, but it will be the most affordable Ather scooter as well. Up until Rizta, Ather was primarily focused on catering to enthusiasts and tech-savvy thrill seekers. Now, expanding their portfolio to cater family oriented scooters will expand their appeal and sales envelope.Ather Rizta Battery DroppedCurrently TVS iQube is India’s best-selling family electric scooter and is in Ather Rizta’s immediate crosshair. Also, Ola S1 X+ is another offering that Rizta will compete with. Folks at Ather Energy have an immaculate sense of humour and have been engaging in innovative and amusing strategies.Ather Energy co-founder Swapnil Jain took to social media posting a new video about their upcoming Rizta scooter. Their recent innovative strategy involves dropping their battery pack from a height of 40 feet. Surely, this is an overkill of a demonstration. However, the witty way Ather Energy demonstrates their engineering capability is always entertaining and confidence-inspiring for the intended audience.Crane At 40 FeetIn the video, we can see Shreyas Seethapathy operating a mobile crane held at 40 feet from the ground. From this height, Ather Rizta battery is dropped with a loud thud. As shown in the video by Ather, the battery remains “rock solid”.Shreyas loves destroying batteries and he comes up with his own crazy ways of testing them. Last time he was seen baking his battery eating ice-cream. This time he saw a crane and got excited and wanted to test strength of our batteries.So he decided to drop it from 40 feet.… pic.twitter.com/a2LB78WT2e— Swapnil Jain (@swapniljain89) March 12, 2024What does this test signify?This demonstration signifies that Ather’s batteries are designed to withstand any or most impacts a user can face on the road in real-world conditions. Impacts from stones, illogical speed bumps, direct impacts from other objects and many more. Ather’s battery casings are built with high-pressure die-cast aluminium tech.The main takeaway from this battery drop test is that if Ather’s battery can withstand an overkill 40 feet drop, it is capable of withstanding any or most real-world impacts. In case of drops, the impact force is distributed across the battery and is not the same as a concentrated impact from sharp objects or nail penetrations.In a previous video aired last year, Shreyas Seethapathy was seen eating a tub of ice cream while sitting on an autoclave baking one of their battery packs. Ather Rizta scooter will be unveiled at Ather’s Community Day on April 6th, 2024. Practicality is the mantra here and Rizta will feature a large and accommodating seat too. AtherStack 6 OTA update and a smart accessory are other anticipated launches from Ather on Community Day. More

Ather Rizta Sabse Bada Seat Billboard In MumbaiAther is getting ready to launch their new electric scooter, which has a huge seat – Ads for the same are now on billboardsThe surge in electric mobility has found its strongest resonance with scooters in India compared to other vehicle formats. Following the subsidy revision under FAME II, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are delving into the realm of budget-friendly electric scooters to entice a larger customer base. Ather is embarking on a parallel path, with its upcoming Rizta poised to revolutionize the electric scooter market.Ather Rizta Sabse Bada Seat Massive BillboardAfter launching its most expensive scooter, Ather 450 Apex, the Bengaluru-based electric mobility solutions provider has turned its gaze towards the family / affordable scooter genre. Ola Electric has seen massive success with its affordable scooter lineup in the form of S1 Air and even more affordable S1 X+.Ather Rizta Sabse Bada Seat BillboardHowever, Ather has taken a different approach with Rizta altogether. While Ola has kept affordable S1 Air and S1 X designs closer to original Etergo DNA, Ather has gone full regalia in carving out a completely different scooter genre. While 450 Apex, 450 X and 450 S catered to youth with sharp and sleek designs, Rizta intends to impart its rizz to attract more mature buyers and family holders.We think the word rizz in the name is deliberate as folk at Ather Energy have a sense of humour. Ather even advertises their products in collaboration with renowned comedians like Hoezaay (450 S) and Anubhav Singh Bassi (Rizta). Now the new humour factor in Rizta’s marketing and campaigns includes a giant 3D billboard in Mumbai.Ather Rizta Sabse Bada Seat On Google MapsSaid 3D billboard features upcoming Ather Rizta’s XXXXXXL seat, saying “Scooter with XXXXXXL Seat Coming Soon”. Ather further showed Sabse Bada Seat search results in Google Maps with the venue of this billboard. But it didn’t work when I searched for it on Google Maps. Maybe more optimization with the keywords is required.Ather Rizta Sabse Bada Seat BillboardWhy is the seat a highlight?Ather Rizta’s rizz is not just with the seat. In latest teaser from Anubhav Singh Bassi, we can see that Rizta is a much larger scooter than the 450 lineup. Large scooters are appealing to families who still prefer conventional-looking scooters from the likes of Honda, TVS and Suzuki.Even though designed for just a rider and a pillion, Indian families often tend to incorporate a child or two into the mix. For the families, it is a more economical way to start a 9 to 5 day and having a bigger seat sure helps in this regard. Larger seats might lead to larger under seat storage too.Where powertrains and componentry are concerned, Ather Rizta will surely be a tier below what the company offers with 450 lineup. So, no aluminium space frame chassis, no mid-mounted motor, no Warp or Warp+ modes, no frills and excitement. We can see a similar-sized battery as 450 S and a rear hub motor. We can see a front petal disc setup and a rectangular digital instrument screen. This screen is likely to be the same LCD unit on 450 S. Other notable features include LED lighting all-around, alloy wheels, a flat floorboard, a large rear grab rail and the likes. Launch is expected on 6th April 2024. More