Ather Energy has confirmed that it will unveil its first mass-market electric scooter on August 29 during the fourth edition of the Ather Community Day in Bengaluru. The upcoming model is expected to help the company expand its presence in the affordable electric scooter segment and will introduce an all-new platform that will underpin future products.The new scooter will be the first to use Ather’s modular EL platform. According to the company, the architecture was developed to improve scalability, versatility and manufacturing efficiency.Ahead of its official debut, prototypes of the upcoming scooter, believed to be the EL01, have been spotted testing on Indian roads. The mule test suggests that the Ather is moving towards a more practical, family-focused design. Compared to the 450X, the new scooter is expected to have a longer wheelbase, a wider seat and a larger floorboard.The spy images also indicate that the production version will largely retain the design seen on the near-production concept shown earlier. The scooter is expected to feature handlebar-mounted headlamps along with a wide LED DRL across the front apron. It is also likely to ride on a larger 14-inch front wheel, while the rear could use a smaller 12-inch wheel.The EL platform is designed to accommodate batteries ranging from 2 kWh to 5 kWh. The new scooter is also expected to use a swing-mounted electric motor. Suspension duties will be handled by telescopic front forks and a single rear shock absorber, while braking is likely to include a front disc brake and a rear drum brake.After launch, the new Ather electric scooter is expected to be positioned below the Rizta in the company’s portfolio. It will take on rivals such as Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube in the growing mass market electric scooter segment.
