Tarun Mehta Reveals The Future of Ather Motorcycles & Scooters

Ather Energy plans to develop a comprehensive portfolio of electric scooters, recognising significant market potential in this segment. Unlike the past when scooters existed as a single product category, today's market has evolved into multiple specialised segments. Recently in an interview with a publication, Ather’s CEO and co-founder, Tarun Mehta, revealed its immediate plan. In the process he also gave us a realistic picture of when its electric bikes will hit production.  

But coming back to its scooters, Tarun Mehta revealed that it currently wants to focus on creating a “rich bouquet” of electric scooters. The CEO further clarified how the electric scooter landscape has transformed dramatically from two decades ago when there was typically just one basic model available. Today, the market has fragmented into numerous categories including performance scooters like Ather's 450 series, family-oriented models like its Rizta, premium performance options, maxi scooters, lifestyle vehicles, and specialised offerings for women and delivery workers. This means that scooters based on the upcoming EL platform will be launched in the immediate future. This upcoming range will be more cost-effective, and versatile than the current crop of Ather’s scooters. 

(Also Read: Ather Working On New Scooter, Motorcycle, and Battery Platform)

But it’s the brand’s electric motorcycle range that we are waiting for. Regarding that, Mehta acknowledges that it's too early to predict which motorcycle segments will transition to electric first, though entry and mid-level motorcycles appear promising candidates.

While the market has responded enthusiastically, with electric scooters achieving nearly 18 per cent penetration nationwide and 20 per cent in southern regions. Interestingly, smaller cities are adopting EVs at a faster rate than metropolitan areas, with the 300 smallest cities showing the highest electric penetration at 22-23 per cent. Industrial towns like Aurangabad, Nashik, Sikar and Ajmer are experiencing particularly rapid growth, indicating that mainstream consumers – not just early adopters – are recognising the economic benefits of electric scooters.

(Also Read: Ultraviolette Tesseract vs Ather 450X: Specs Compared)

Ather has already reduced production costs by approximately 24 per cent over the past three years through comprehensive supply chain optimisation across materials, processes, treatment and logistics. This achievement potentially positions the Bengaluru-based EV company as one of the most competitive cost structures in the global industry.

(Source: ETAuto)