Ather

Image for reference onlyAs opposed to current 450X Gen 3, upcoming Ather 450X Special Edition might pack additional performance and rangeThe Bengaluru-based electric mobility startup, Ather Energy, is reportedly launching a new variation of its flagship Ather 450X electric scooter. According to reports, the company is likely to call it Special Edition and it will commemorate Ather’s 10 years in electric mobility industry. Unique design scheme, more performance or range are probable with this update.Ather 450X Special Edition Incoming – What to expect?If we take a look at Ather’s website, the company currently only offers 450X Gen 3 and there is a placeholder for 450X with a 3.7 kWh battery with the text ‘coming soon’. Is this referring to Special Edition? Probably.Ather launched 450X Gen 3 over a year ago and recently launched a more affordable 450S and has homologated 450S HR as well. But the upcoming 450X on Ather’s website could very well indicate this Special Edition. The reports claim higher performance with this update and we can see an increase in top speed from 90 km/h on current 450X Gen 3.Maybe 100 km/h? We hope top speed is around 100 km/h, considering its primary rival Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 boasts 120 km/h top speed. As per Ather’s website, this upcoming 450X (without any suffixes) has a certified range of 150 km and TrueRange of 110 km. Features like 7-inch touchscreen instrument cluster with Maps support and smartphone connectivity are likely.Ather’s 7-inch touch instrument clusterThese range figures are up from 146 km certified and 105 km TrueRange of Ather 450X Gen 3. The primary changes are likely to be with design or new exclusive colours. Probably new graphics and a bunch of freebies or accessories that Ather is offering to both existing and new customers. Ride modes with 450X Gen 3 will be on offer too.Upcoming Ather scootersAther currently has a lot on the cards. For starters, Ather is launching 450S HR in the future. Homologation for the same has already done. HR in the name could mean High Range or Higher Range. It packs a 3.76 kWh battery along with AIS 040 certified 156 km of range on a single charge.This is 6 km more than upcoming Ather 450X, advertised on official website. Other than that, Ather is also working on a maxi-style scooter that comes with wind protection for riders and a comfortable riding posture for longer rides.Considering it is an electric scooter, it would be interesting to see advertised range figures of that vehicle. This maxi-styled scooter will launch later, as Ather 450X Special Edition and 450S HR seem to be right around the corner.In terms of pricing, a price point of Rs. 1.7 lakh for Ather 450X Special Edition and Rs. 1.5 lakh for Ather 450S HR seems logical (both prices ex-sh, excluding subsidies). With Ather’s Pro packs, one can take pricing way higher too.Source More

Ather 450 range gets new additionThe upcoming Ather 450S HR with 3.76 kWh battery promises 41 km higher claimed range and about 20 km higher true range than current 450S with 2.9 kWh batteryOla S1X+ with a 4 kWh battery pack made the prospect of Ather 450S slightly feeble. Ather is now retaliating with a new variation of its most affordable 450S with a larger 3.67 kWh battery. Called Ather 450S HR, this should put on quite a fight against Ola’s more affordable S1X+ with a 4 kWh battery pack.Ather 450S HR With 3.76kWh Battery HomologatedThe Indian startup brand, Ather Energy, is launching a bigger battery version of its recently launched affordable 450S model. As of now, flagship Ather 450X has battery pack choices between 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh. The same treatment is now given with lower-tier Ather 450S as well. “HR” in Ather 450S HR could very well mean ‘High Range’ or ‘Higher Range’.Speaking of range, Ather claims 156 km (AIS 040 certified) on a single charge with 450S HR. This is a 10 km higher claimed range than 450X Gen 3 with a 3.7 kWh battery. True range might be around 110 km on a single charge. When compared to current 450S, upcoming 450S HR promises a 41 km higher claimed range and (around) 20 km higher true range.As per homologation document below, Ather 450S HR will pack a Nickel and Cobalt based Li-ion battery. It has a 3-phase PMS motor made by Mahle with up to 5.4 kW peak power (7.24 bhp) in Sports Mode. There are a total of four riding modes – Eco Mode, Smart Eco Code (likely to be ‘Mode’ and not ‘Code’), Ride Mode and Sports Mode.Ather 450S HR homologatedWarp Mode is only available with top-spec 450X. Top speed, however, is reduced with Ather 450S HR. It boasts 80 km/h top speed as opposed to 90 km/h on current 450S, 450X and 450X Gen3.What are the changes as opposed to current model?As per the new homologation document, Ather 450S HR doesn’t show any dimensional difference when compared to current models. 450S HR measures 1837 mm in length, 739 mm in width, 1114 mm in height and has a 1296 mm wheelbase. Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is still the same as other Ather scooters at 243 kg.In terms of features, upcoming Ather 450S HR will align with current 450S. In this sense, it will lack the advanced 7-inch TFT touchscreen infotainment system that supports Google Maps and a plethora of features and technology. Instead, 450S HR will feature the new 7-inch Deepview non-touch display that supports Bluetooth with smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation among others.As per pricing, current 450S with a 2.9 kWh battery costs Rs. 1.3 lakh (ex-sh, including subsidies in Karnataka). Going by that, Ather 450S HR might cost Rs. 1.4 lakh (ex-sh, including subsidies in Karnataka). Adding Ather’s Pro Packs could take the prices higher by up to Rs. 20,000.For context, Ola S1X+ with 4 kWh battery costs Rs. 1.1 lakh (ex-sh) and Simple One with a much larger 5 kWh battery costs Rs. 1.45 lakh (ex-sh). Ather is likely to launch 450S HR soon. More

Ather 450XAlong with a slew of new features, Ather is launching three new scooters on August 11th, 2023Ather’s newest teasers on social media are building quite a hype. As per the teaser, they are going to launch not 1, not 2, but 3 new electric scooters. Ather calls this new range of 450 Series. It is not yet revealed what these 3 new scooters will be. If we had to guess, one could be 450S, which will take on Ola S1 Air. The second could be 450X Gen 4 to take on S1 Pro. What could be the 3rd one?Ather Launching 3 New ScootersThe Indian electric mobility startup is known to surprise audiences at events like this. Ather’s Community Day event is a testament to that. The new ‘Warp Through’ event on Friday will feature renowned stand-up comedian Jose Covaco, popularly known as Hoezaay.New scooters. New features. And even newer jokes (courtesy of @HoeZaay).Coming to you LIVE at 12 noon this Friday. Set your reminder at: https://t.co/ru0b1OI8RE#WarpThrough #Updates #Ather450S #Ather450X #Ather #ComingSoon #NewLaunch #ElectricScooter #EV pic.twitter.com/Qy4oEugoWd— Ather Energy (@atherenergy) August 7, 2023Some glimpses from the latest teaser on social media hints at more power, more torque and greater range. Also, new features. Video even mentions “Unmasking the new gen soon”, which could be referring to Ather 450X Gen 4. One teaser suggests more performance with Warp Mode. Enhanced practicality with more luggage space could be a possibility as well.Warp your way to the EV future!Ather refers to the new robotic face in the dashboard as AtherBot and is likely to ‘transform’ how we interact with the scooter. Ather’s new 450 Range of scooters will pack generational upgrades and will offer more tech and value for prospective buyers. All eyes are on the new 450S, with a supposed 3 kWh battery.This new base model EV from Ather will pack 115 km of IDC-claimed range and 90 km/h top speed. It costs Rs. 1.3 lakh (ex-sh). Pre-order window is already open and will rival Ola’s newest S1 Air electric scooter and other scooters in the similar price bracket.Recent updates from AtherAther Energy has reported remarkable sales figures for July 2023, selling 7,858 units, representing a substantial 229 per cent year-on-year increase. Comparing with the previous month, the company experienced a commendable 21 per cent month-over-month growth, selling 1,379 more electric scooters than June’s 6,479 units.To further support the adoption of electric vehicles, Ather Energy has collaborated with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to bolster its EV charging infrastructure. Leveraging BPCL’s vast network of over 21,000 fuel stations across India, the partnership aims to facilitate the installation of Ather’s public fast-charging Grid.The integration of Ather’s App into this expansion will play a crucial role in providing real-time information on charger availability, making it easier for users to plan their charging sessions efficiently. The increasing sales and strategic partnerships underline Ather Energy’s commitment to shaping a greener and more sustainable future for urban transportation in India. More

Ather 450S new LCD screen hinting at 3.9 kWh batteryNow that FAME II Scheme gives lesser subsidy, affordable variants of existing electric scooters are getting launchedAther Energy is strapped in for a slightly bumpy ride. This bumpiness in its ride is due to the new FAME II subsidy revisions that have wreaked havoc on e-scooter manufacturers. Sales have been dwindling since with electric 2W space witnessing 66% MoM decline in sales.Among the top-selling e-scooters, Ather Energy saw 78% drop in sales MoM and 10.65% decline YoY. Ola is leading the segment with a slew of variations on offer. To counter it, Ather 450S will soon emerge and might accommodate a 3.9 kWh battery as well for Rs. 1.3 lakh (ex-sh).Ather 450S new LCD screen LayoutIs Ather 450S Packing 3.9 kWh Battery?You must be wondering how a more affordable 450S gets a larger battery than the 3.7 kWh unit on 450X and 450X Pro Pack. But that seems to be the case here as Ather Energy’s newest teaser features the number “3.9” in its odometer and even in the short video, which is likely to denote its battery size.With range anxiety becoming the primary negative of EVs, people often choose the one with a bigger battery. It will have enough headroom for unplanned events and takes less charge cycles when compared to the one with a smaller battery. Ola understood this perfectly and currently claims the highest range among rivals.Ather 450S new LCD screen graphicsOla currently sells S1 range in three trims. Base S1 Air, mid S1 and top-spec S1 Pro. Ather 450S will go head-to-head with S1 Air. So, a larger battery makes a lot of sense with 450S as S1 Air is on offer with a choice of 2 kWh, 3 kWh and even a 4 kWh battery with 165 km claimed range.No more touch screen with 450SThis new battery is highly likely to make its way on the more expensive 450X and 450X Pro pack as well. Ather has already revealed pricing for 450S which is Rs. 1,29,999 (ex-sh) and Ola S1 Air with 4 kWh battery costs Rs. 1,09,999 (ex-sh) and deliveries will begin from around this month. Also, for this price and battery spec, Ola is still offering a 7” touchscreen.Cost-cutting with Ather 450S is via its new LCD display. The 7” touchscreen with 450X range will not make it to the 450S. Instead, it will feature an LCD unit, as seen in the new teaser. Speedo, range, ride modes, Bluetooth connectivity info and other functionalities can be seen with this new screen.Top speed is likely to be 90 km/h as with 450X range and IDC range is 115 km. If this really is a 3.9 kWh battery, range seems to be lower than the 165 km range of Ola S1 Air 4 kWh. More info will be revealed in the coming days. More

Ather Electric ScooterNew base model in the company’s lineup is Ather 450S with a smaller 3 kWh battery and directly rivals Ola S1 AirWith revised FAME II subsidies in effect starting from today, electric scooter prices are hiked significantly. In Ather’s case, 450X now costs Rs. 1.45 lakh and 450X Pro Pack now costs Rs. 1.65 lakh (ex-sh, Karnataka). Ather has come up with a new base variant that will cost Rs. 1.3 lakh (exclusive of state subsidy). This is the much-awaited Ather 450S.Company announced this for the first time on its website, divulging key details. Prospective customers can register their interest on the official website and bookings will begin from July. Ather didn’t reveal delivery dates as of yet. Let’s take a look.Ather 450S new base model launchedAther 450S Launched For Rs. 1.3 LakhFor starters, Ather 450S will cost exactly what 450X Pro Pack used to cost prior to FAME II Revision. This shows how devastating updated FAME II subsidies are for EV sales and cost. Ather 450S will sit below the previous base 450X and will feature a smaller battery and lesser range along with fewer features. How small of a battery and how small the range?Battery will be 3 kWh in size, which is good enough for an IDC (Indian Driving Conditions) range of 115 km per charge. In comparison, both 450X and 450X Pro Pack get a larger 3.7 kWh battery. Ather is not cutting any corners where performance is concerned. The new base model 450S gets the same 90 km/h top speed as 450X and 450X Pro Pack.Ather 450X prices May 2023Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO, Ather Energy, said, “The 450 platform has been immensely successful for us, and we wanted to make it available to a wider set of buyers. The 450S will be our new entry-level variant for those looking to enter the electric segment but are seeking the quality and assurance that Ather scooters provide. Within the category, the 450S will break new grounds and will offer first-of-its-kind tech features in the performance scooter segment, raising the bar in terms of riding pleasure and safety while still delivering on performance”Why the hike in price?Indian Government recently revised its FAME II subsidy scheme which cuts down on subsidy money to EV buyers. Earlier, EV buyers could enjoy a subsidy of Rs. 15,000 per kWh along with a maximum cap of 40% of ex-sh price for incentives. Now, that scheme is revised to Rs. 10,000 per kWh and the cap on incentives is brought down to 15% of ex-sh price.This raises costs associated with EVs and starting from today, June 1st, 2023, all EVs get costlier. This is the reason why Ather 450X now costs Rs. 1.45 lakh and 450X Pro Pack costs Rs. 1.65 lakh (ex-sh, Karnataka). Ather 450S launched recently, mainly rivals Ola S1 Air.Ather Sales May 2023Ather electric scooter sales stood at 15,256 units in May 2023. This was a 357% YoY growth as compared to May 2022, when they had sold 3,787 units. Sales had also registered growth MoM basis, as April 2023 saw Ather registering sales of 8,182 units. More

Ather 450S electric scooter spiedWith increasing competition and subsidy exhausted in several states, OEMs are betting on new, affordable variants to boost salesPremium electric scooters like Ather 450X have been registering robust sales since launch. The combo of central and stage level subsidies has worked to make these electric scooters a viable option in comparison to the standard ICE-based scooters.However, electric two-wheeler sales appear to be plateauing. MoM growth was negative in April 2023. Moreover, OEMs like Ola and Hero MotoCorp have launched more affordable variants to boost sales. There’s also the threat from upcoming electric two-wheelers such as Simple One, Honda electric scooter and Gogoro. In view of these factors, Ather appears to be right in its decision to launch a new, affordable variant.Ather new 450S base variant – Where will be cost cutting?With affordability taking prominence, upcoming Ather 450S variant is likely to miss out on several of the advanced features available with existing 450X Pro Pack variant. But that shouldn’t be a constraint for folks with limited budget. Quite a few features are not even necessary such as the full colour 7-inch TFT touchscreen display. Ather has already replaced the colour screen with a grey scale unit onboard the standard 450X.Similarly, there could be other features that could be axed. Features like 4G connectivity, music and calls access, guide-me-home light, hill assist and park assist may be desirable. However, they cannot be described as a necessity. These features have already been removed from standard 450X variant. The upcoming 450S variant could do away with more features to achieve an affordable price point.Ather 450S electric scooter name trademarkedIn addition to the missing features and tech, the new Ather 450S base variant is likely to get a tubular frame, instead of the aluminium space frame of the current 450X. It will also get a smaller battery pack along with a less powerful motor. This will help Ather price their new 450S base variant aggressively.Ather 450S – expected priceAs compared to electric two-wheelers like Ather, the bestselling ICE scooters like Honda Activa are relatively cheaper. Activa starts at Rs 75,347 (ex-sh., Delhi), as compared to Rs 98,079 of Ather 450X base variant. It is apparent that people with limited budget will have preference for the Activa. This is why OEMs need to come up with more affordable variants, whose pricing can be at par with bestselling ICE scooters.Along with removing unnecessary features, OEMs can also think about using lower capacity battery packs. It will lower the range, but the price benefit will be perceived as favourable by most buyers. Moreover, charging infrastructure is improving rapidly in the country. When users know there’s a charging station in the neighbourhood, they would worry less about range and getting stranded.Upcoming Ather 450S variant could be priced below Rs 1.5 lakh. Existing 450X and 450X Pro Pack variants are priced at Rs 1,71,879. Central subsidy available for Ather under FAME II is Rs 55,500, whereas state subsidy applicable on Ather scooters in Delhi is Rs 18,300. Assuming Ather new 450S variant is priced at Rs 1.50 lakh, it could be available at an effective ex-showroom price of approximately Rs 76,000 in Delhi. That’s almost close to that of Activa. Other charges like insurance, road tax and registration will be applicable. More