Ather celebrated its third edition of Ather Community Day on Saturday. The company took this opportunity to showcase a wide range of products and shared a sneak peek of what to expect in the near future. Among the multiple products unveiled, the most highlighted was the EL01 scooter concept.
New-gen scooter based on Ather EL platform
The EL01 is based on an all-new platform named EL, the first vehicle architecture since the 450 which will underpin a new family of electric scooters in the coming years. Built for versatility, scalability, and cost optimisation, the new-gen electric scooters underpinned by the EL platform will be built at Ather’s new manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad), Maharashtra.
Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, Ather Energy, said, “With the EL platform, we are laying the foundation for Ather’s next phase of growth. Just as the 450 defined our first chapter, EL will define the next, enabling us to develop multiple types of scooters at scale far more efficiently. This platform-first approach enables faster innovation and improved efficiency, serviceability, and rider experience.”
Ather says that the new EL platform has been designed on the back of rigorous testing for over 26 lakh kilometers that has resulted in the birth of a new chassis, powertrain, and fully redesigned electronics stack. The EL platform’s versatility allows Ather to serve diverse consumer segments, use cases, and markets more cost-effectively.
The simplified architecture and reduced component count make assembly 15% faster, while also enabling up to twice the speed in periodic servicing, extending service intervals to 10,000 km.
Ather EL01 concept: Design, features & other details
As for the scooter, the EL01 concept seems like a contemporary family scooter in line with the Rizta but based on a brand new design language. It looks clean and simple with a rectangular LED headlamp, a sleek LED DRL with integrated turn indicators housed in the front apron, a wide footboard, a chunky pillion grab rail, a wide and flat single-piece seat, and a sleek LED brake lamp at the rear.
The EL01 concept stands on 14-inch wheels that makes it look slightly bigger than conventional commuter scooters. That said, Ather will also offer 12-inch wheels as an option for the EL01. Moreover, it also boasts of a patented AC-DC module, which results in an on-board charging wire tucked inside the storage. Speaking of storage, the space underneath the seat is large enough to accommodate two helmets although exact figures are still unknown.
Safety in the EL01 will be enhanced with the addition of Advanced Electronic Braking System (AEBS), which shortens stopping distances and reduces rear-wheel lockups. In terms of convenience, the Ather Charge Drive Controller combines an onboard charger with the motor controller, eliminating the need for riders to carry a portable charger.
Ather hasn’t revealed any specific numbers related to its powertrain but the EL platform can accommodate a wide range of batteries from 2 kWh to 5 kWh. These will include batteries of different chemistry including nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) or lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP).