Ather Energy has filed a patent for a new electric scooter and it seems to be designed completely from the ground up. The new Ather EV appears like it will be a lower cost option to the sporty and premium Ather 450X.
Could feature new maxi-scooter style
Should get a simpler tubular steel frame
Likely to be positioned below the Ather 450X
New Ather electric scooter: Design
The images of the new Ather EV in the patent application showcase a new design approach by the Bengaluru based company.
It appears to be a maxi-scooter, somewhat on the lines of the Suzuki Burgman or the Aprilia SXR160. However, like those scooters, the Ather’s dimensions may not be as large as a true maxi scooter.
The front three-quarter angle reveals a sharp and angular front apron with a bar type headlamp running horizontally across the center.
The windscreen (possibly translucent) is large, almost covering the top half of the apron and extending above the height of the handlebar. The instrument console appears to be fixed to the front apron, covered by the comprehensive windscreen. It is a rather unique face and seems to reflect Ather’s design philosophy of sharp creases and edges.
The side panels and the tail section have a relatively curved profile that gels with the rest of the scooter. On the whole, the scooter looks modern, but without being as futuristic as the Ather 450X.
Coming to the ergonomics, it appears that the scooter should offer a relaxed riding position, with a high-set handlebar as well as a long and flat seat. There may be considerably more room than what the compact Ather 450X offers.
New Ather electric scooter: Chassis
Underneath the new bodywork, we expect to see a brand-new frame that shares nothing with the Ather 450X's intricate aluminum lattice frame. In all likelihood, the new Ather electric scooter could be based on a simpler tubular steel frame which is one of the factors that should drive production costs and complications down.
The scooter in the pictures is seen with what appear to be 12-inch alloy wheels, front disc, telescopic fork and monoshock suspension setup. All this is standard fare for a production scooter these days.
New Ather electric scooter: Electric motor
The new Ather EV may either get a new motor or a less powerful variant of the unit seen in the Ather 450X. Either way, it is too early to comment on the same, however, it does appear that this will be a frame mounted motor.
Ather has stated in the past that a frame mounted motor contributes towards the stability and handling of a scooter like the 450X and they may stick with the same philosophy for the new electric scooter as well.
What differs from the Ather 450X is that this scooter doesn't get an exposed belt drive system. Instead, power may be sent to the rear wheel via a sealed belt drive, similar to standard petrol- powered scooters, although, that can't be confirmed just yet.
New Ather electric scooter: Battery
In terms of the battery, Ather has stated that it believes in offering sealed batteries rather than swappable units. If the company plans to stick to its own path instead of taking the approach from competitors like the upcoming Ola Electric scooter we may see a floor mounted setup, similar to the 450X. Owners will surely get to benefit from new Ather’s expanding network of fast charging stations, called Ather Grid.
That said, the possibility of Ather introducing a removable battery cannot be ruled out. Of late, scooters with removable batteries have been populating the market. Aside from the previously mentioned Ola scooter, the Honda PCX Electric, who's patent was recently filed in India also features removable batteries. Hero MotoCorp, on the other hand, has announced plans to set up a battery swapping network along with Taiwanese company Gogoro.
There is no denying that removable batteries bring a whole lot of convenience to the table, especially for those without access to conventional EV charging stations.
New Ather electric scooter: Price and availability
If the Ather electric scooter that we see in these patent images makes it to production, it will most likely sit below the Ather 450X that retails at Rs 1.46 lakh.
To reiterate, the 450X is India's fastest electric scooter and targeted towards those looking for a sporty electric vehicle with modern day technology. It features four ride modes, a TFT touchscreen dashboard with Bluetooth connectivity and OTA updates.
The new scooter may not get some or all of these features, to keep costs in check. Which means a price around the Rs 1.20 lakh - 1.30 lakh, ex-showroom, mark should be ideal if Ather plans to take on the TVS iQube (Rs 1.08 lakh) and Bajaj Chetak (Rs 1.42 lakh). Stay tuned for all updates.
All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi
Also see:
A look inside Ather’s production facility in Hosur