Ather Energy has already confirmed that it is working on an affordable electric scooter which will most likely be based on the next generation EL platform. This new platform, along with a new set of concept electric two-wheelers, will be showcased at the upcoming Ather Community Day in August this year.
Now, another development regarding the upcoming electric scooter from Ather has come to light. According to Autocar India, Ather will offer Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model with the upcoming electric scooter.The company’s chief business officer, Ravneet Phokela, confirmed the plan to the publication.
Ather’s BaaS on cards
As we know, a battery subscription model allows customers an option to buy the scooter without the battery, which will significantly lower the initial purchase cost. Instead of owning the battery, users can pay for its usage through a subscription plan or on a per-kilometre basis. Since batteries typically make up 30–40 per cent of an EV’s total cost, this Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model is expected to make electric scooters more affordable and attractive to budget-conscious consumers.
At present, Ather is the only major player in the electric two-wheeler market without a model priced below Rs 1 lakh. Rivals like Bajaj, TVS, Ola Electric, Vida (Hero), and Greaves all offer at least one product within that price range. With BaaS, Ather will be able to price the scooter well below the Rs 1 lakh mark.
This development comes at a time when Hero MotoCorp is about to launch its next electric scooter the VX2 which will also come with a battery subscription model as an option. Interestingly, Hero is one of the major investors in Ather Energy. Intricate details of Ather’s BaaS model will be revealed at the time of the scooter’s launch.
Ather’s push for Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) aligns with its broader strategy of expanding its retail presence, advancing technology, and diversifying its product range. The company is on track to more than double its retail footprint, targeting over 750 outlets by the end of the year—up from the current 350.
This expansion focuses on increasing reach by entering new markets, particularly in North India, and enhancing density in high-demand metro areas. Notably, nearly 70% of Ather’s sales come from just half of its existing outlets. Alongside this, Ather is also gearing up to launch next-generation fast-charging technology and a new platform tailored for more affordable electric scooters.
Ather Stack 7.0 & next-gen fast chargers
Besides the EL platform and the more affordable electric scooter, Ather Energy will also launch the next-generation fast chargers and an upgraded version of its software stack, Ather Stack 7.0. The new software stack is designed for enhancing charging speed and vehicle performance. The existing Ather Grid chargers can recharge Ather e-scooters at a rate of 1.5 km per minute and Vida models at 1.2 km per minute, thanks to Vida adopting Ather’s open-sourced charger connector.
