Quick Reads
- The new scooter is based on the EL-01 platform
- It will be priced close to Rs 1 lakh
- The expected launch date is late 2026
A test mule of Ather Energy’s most affordable electric scooter was spotted testing on Indian roads. It is most likely based on the EL-01 platform that the brand showcased last year on Ather Community Day 2025. The brand also confirmed its pricing a few days ago, and it will be priced above Rs 1 lakh but will sit just below the Ather Rizta in the lineup. The Ather Rizta starts at Rs 115,000 (effective ex-showroom Bengaluru).
The spyshots reveal that the test mule gets a 14-inch front wheel, which is a first for Ather, and should give the scooter good stability while being ridden. The design is similar to the Ather EL-01, and the test mule also had a similar lighting setup with the rectangular headlamp and the beautiful DRL that runs across the front apron. The mule also had a telescopic fork and a monoshock absorber suspension setup, along with a front disc brake.
The Ather EL-01 Platform
Ather’s EL-01 platform was designed to underpin a bunch of different scooters. It focuses on scalability and reduced manufacturing costs, rather than outright capability. It is designed to accommodate various battery packs from 2 to 5kWh, which could spawn a bunch of different variants when the scooter is launched. It is also expected to be equally feature-packed as the other Ather scooters and will most likely come with a 7-inch TFT console.
Our Opinion
We think that this test mule gives us a glimpse of what the brand has in mind for the near future. With this, the brand will enter the mass electric scooter market, diverging from its premium character. Also, Athers are generally known to be quite reliable, so if the EL-01 debuts in the mass market, it sure will make headlines. Also, its competitors, like the TVS iQube, TVS Orbiter, Hero Vida VX2, and the Ola S1X+, need to be aware of this upcoming scooter, as it is expected to be aggressively priced.
