Ather Energy has confirmed that it will unveil its first mass electric scooter on August 29 during the fourth edition of Ather Community Day in Bengaluru. The next model is expected to help the company expand its presence in the affordable electric scooter segment and introduce an all-new platform that will underpin future products.The new scooter will be the first to use Ather’s EL modular platform. According to the company, the architecture was developed to improve scalability, versatility and manufacturing efficiency.Before its official debut, prototypes of the future scooter, believed to be the EL01, have been spotted testing on Indian roads. The test mule suggests that Ather is moving towards a more practical and family-friendly design. Compared to the 450X, the new scooter is expected to feature a longer wheelbase, a wider seat and a larger floor.The spy images also indicate that the production version will largely retain the design seen on the nearby production concept presented earlier. The scooter is expected to feature a handlebar-mounted headlight 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 has been designed to accommodate battery packs from 2 kWh to 5 kWh. The new scooter is also expected to use a swingarm-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.Once launched, the new Ather electric scooter is expected to be positioned below the Rizta in the company’s portfolio. It takes on established rivals such as Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube in the growing mass electric scooter segment.
