Ather’s Future Plans Explained: New Electric Scooters, Electric Bikes, and New Battery Packs

Ather Energy is not a brand that rests on its laurels; by now we know for a fact that the company is working on an electric motorcycle. But before that, the Bengaluru-based electric scooter brand is on the verge of releasing its IPO (initial public offering of company shares). The brand’s investment-related documents give us an insight into the company’s future plans and what to expect. This can be simplified into: cheaper batteries, new electric powertrains, new electric scooter platform, and new fast charging tech. Let’s break it down.

First up is cheaper batteries, which should be a result of using LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry. Last year, Ather Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies for development of batteries using LFP. This will help the brand source domestically manufactured battery cells, reducing dependency on China for Lithium-based cells. 

Since the cells don’t require use of expensive metals, they have a more cost-effective manufacturing process. This should result in lower battery costs, ergo, cheaper electric scooters. LFP cells are also more thermally stable which means they perform better in hotter ambient temperatures in India and are also safer in our climate. They also have more charging cycles, which equates to improved battery life. However, LFP batteries are heavier and have lower energy density compared to equivalent NMC (Nickle Manganese Cobalt) batteries – which makes them more suitable for low-cost, low range electric scooters, which Ather might now be looking at for the future. For now, these technologies should be used in scooters that are currently on sale like the Ather 450S. 

This will also be aided by Ather’s focus on development of new motor technologies without any rare-earth materials like neodymium, which is used to make powerful magnets for use in motors. This will also reduce Ather’s dependency of raw materials from China. Another benefit is these motors are cheaper and more sustainable. A drawback is that these motors are less efficient, but that should stand to change as this technology is developed further.

Both these technologies, and more, will be used in development of a new scooter platform, which will be publicly announced by March 2027. However, the highly anticipated electric motorcycle platform from Ather is slated for early 2028. These timelines should be in co-relation to other developments. These include development of new instrument console technologies, new electronic control units, improved software for more accurate riding data (like remaining range), and smartphone apps. Apart from this, the prospectus also discloses that Ather is working on a new fast charging technology to further optimise costs and charging times. 

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While all of this is an indication of what the brand is targeting, the timelines should be considered more of estimates than deadlines. There are a lot of factors at play that are beyond the control of Ather and its partners. Considering the current geo-political scenario, Ather’s primary goal might be to secure its raw material supply chain for existing battery and motor components. This is where it is crucial to develop components that can be manufactured using metals that can be either sourced from within India itself, or from countries with more stable alliances with India. All said, what matters to the end buyers is the price of Ather electric scooters, which should go down after the aforementioned technologies are fully deployed. 

Another aspect to this is reduced dependability on government subsidies, which are almost phased out. With the more cost-effective technologies, Ather can offer more affordable electric two-wheelers even when there are no government subsidies at all. This will ensure that Ather scooters are still relatively accessible.