Breaking: Ather Working On New Scooter, Motorcycle, and Battery Platform

While filing its IPO, Bengaluru-based EV manufacturer Ather Energy also revealed its future plans to expand its product portfolio that will be aimed at reducing manufacturing costs. As part of this upcoming plan, the company is currently developing two new platforms that will underpin its new range of scooters, and motorcycles as well.

The Scooter Platform

The first of these platforms, known as the EL platform, is in an advanced stage of development. This new scooter platform is designed to be more cost-effective and versatile than Ather's current offerings. It will incorporate a new powertrain, electronics, and chassis while retaining elements of the battery and Atherstack from the existing Ather 450 platform.

Ather Energy states in the prospectus that these new range of scooters will cater to both domestic and international markets. Additionally, it will also significantly reduce production costs and enhance Ather's competitiveness in the E2W market, claims the company.

The Motorcycle Platform

In addition to the EL platform, Ather Energy is also working on the Zenith platform, which will mark the company's entry into the electric motorcycle segment. Motorcycles developed on this platform will compete against 125 cc to 300 cc ICE motorcycles. While exact details about this new platform are still unavailable, Ather Energy has cited how the motorcycle segment presents significant opportunity to further its sales and profit.

New Battery Platform

To further reduce manufacturing costs and improve efficiency, Ather Energy is also designing a new battery platform using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) cathode chemistry. This new battery technology is expected to be compatible with some of Ather's existing products and will also leverage the price difference between LFP and nickel-based chemistries.

Additionally, Ather Energy will also explore the use of heavy rare earth-free and rare earth magnet-free motors to reduce dependence on rare earth metals and further cut costs.