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The first EL platform-based Ather scooter will arrive with an expected starting price of around Rs. 1 lakh in India
Ather Energy has confirmed that its first production scooter based on the all-new EL platform will make its global debut during Ather Community Day 2026 on August 29. It will be the beginning of an entirely new product family for the Bengaluru-based manufacturer as it prepares to enter a more affordable segment of the electric scooter market.
Expected to reach dealerships around the festive season, the new model will likely carry an ex-showroom starting price of a little over Rs. 1 lakh (ex-showroom) pitching it right below the Rizta. Until now, the company has largely concentrated on premium electric scooters, leaving the higher volume affordable segment to rivals and the EL platform changes that approach.
Competition is expected to come from the TVS iQube and Orbiter, Bajaj Chetak, Ola S1 X and others. The production version has already been spotted testing and it must be noted that the EL01 concept made its debut during Community Day 2025. Patent filings have revealed that much of the original styling has been carried into the showroom model.
A broad front apron, handlebar-mounted rectangular LED headlamp, flat single-piece seat and a spacious floorboard will remain as key highlights. The concept also showcased under-seat storage capable of accommodating two helmets and a similarly generous luggage compartment is expected on the production version. The EL architecture has been engineered with multiple products in mind.
Battery capacities ranging from 2 kWh to 5 kWh can be accommodated while the platform has also been designed for 10-inch to 14-inch wheel configurations. The flexibility gives Ather the opportunity to introduce scooters across several price points. Judging by test prototypes, the scooter rides on a 14-inch front wheel and a 12-inch rear wheel along with a front disc brake and rear drum brake arrangement.
Industry reports also indicate that Ather may replace its familiar belt-driven system with a hub-mounted electric motor – a move that could reduce manufacturing costs and mechanical complexity. Ather had also showcased a patented AC-DC charging module integrated beneath the seat enabling the charging cable to remain stored inside the scooter itself.
As for features, it is speculated to receive the latest AtherStack software, smartphone connectivity, navigation and multiple ride modes while lower variants could gain a simpler display to maintain competitive pricing. Production is also expected to receive a big boost from Ather’s upcoming manufacturing facility at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra.
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