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Ather Energy vs. Traditional Scooters: Cost and Performance Comparison
As India strides towards an environmentally friendly and sustainable future,
electric vehicles
are playing a vital role too. One player leading the charge in changing the Indian electric scooter market is Ather Energy which is once again gaining the spotlight of the Indian EV industry. Ather Energy was established in 2013 by two passionate and ambitious engineers, Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain. Initially, the company started with the motive to give a 100% made-in-India electric vehicle whose main focus now has been shifted towards setting a trend for innovation and progress in the electric vehicle sector. Their vehicles have changed the picture of consumer experience with their flagship models of the Ather series, which is built to outperform every other traditional scooter or other EV scooter with its style, smarts, and performance.Initial Purchase Cost
For most of the consumers, the initial purchase cost remains the major factor. Traditional scooters have a lower up-front cost as compared to
electric scooters
. The prices of conventional ICE scooters start from ₹50,000 and go all the way up to ₹1,20,000 in India, depending on the model and brand. Ather Energy scooters, on the other hand, are expected to have a higher up-front cost, as already seen with the launch of the Ather 450X(2.9kWh) and Ather 450S, which fall within the range of ₹1.32 Lakh to ₹1.58 Lakh. Though Ather Energy electric vehicles may come with a slight premium over traditional scooters running on petrol or diesel, the savings in the long run are huge. As a matter of fact, the operational costs of an electric vehicle, particularly charging, are very low compared to fuel expenses. Besides, electric vehicles have less maintenance due to fewer moving parts. Though high in the upfront cost, saving fuel, lesser spent on servicing, and probably reduced road tax can make up for this differential investment over time. Secondly, as more electric vehicles are on the road and with time, technological improvements, and economies of scale, probably the prices may come down even more.Fuel and Energy Costs
This is one of the major advantages of electric scooters, lower fuel cost. Traditional scooters run on petrol, which is always going up in price or at best is unpredictable. The average fuel cost for an ICE scooter will be around ₹94.72 per liter, at present (rate according to date 24/07/24). In comparison, Ather Energy scooters run on electricity, which is very cheap. It costs around ₹40-50 to fully charge an Ather scooter, depending on the tariff of electricity. These savings will add up over time just on fuel due to which electric scooters are more economical in the long run.
Maintenance Costs
One such area where Ather Energy scooters enjoy a distinct advantage is in maintenance. Traditional scooters require frequent servicing, like oil changes, replacement of air filters, checks on spark plugs, and so on. All these services add up to quite an amount, normally in the range of ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 per annum, depending on usage and condition of the scooter. Electric scooters, such as Ather Energy's, have reduced moving parts and do not require oil changes or any other type of routine maintenance that combustion engines do. Now, the two main areas of concern in terms of maintenance with electric scooters are the battery and the motor. Ather Energy warranty their batteries and offers comprehensive service plans that help cut down this cost even further. Hence, the yearly maintenance cost for an Ather scooter is much lower and comes out to less than ₹1,000 per annum in most cases.
Performance and Ride Quality
For riders most concerned about performance, the Ather Energy scooters have got them covered.
Ather scooters
get very efficient and brawny electric motors that are tuned to deliver instant peak torque. For example, the Ather 450X(3.7kWh) gets a peak power of 6.4 kW and can manage 0 to 40 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, making it one of the quickest electric scooters out there in its class. Thus, acceleration and top speed on traditional scooters will always be inferior as compared to the specifications of Ather's electric scooters. Ather Energy Scooters, when speaking of ride quality, have been designed for comfort and convenience. Regenerative braking, digital instrument clusters, and smart connectivity options, these features enhance the riding experience. Traditional scooters are comfortable but miss out on the rest of these advanced features that render the ride less engaging and informative.Environmental Impact
One of the most appealing reasons to opt for an electric scooter instead of a traditional one is the environment. Traditional scooters emit dangerous pollutants CO2, NOx, and PM. These are the causes of air pollution and global warming. The Ather Energy scooters have zero tailpipe emissions, making them eco-friendly. According to Ashwini Kumar Chaubey, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, an additional carbon sink of 1.97 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has already been achieved in India. This impetus for electric vehicles is one of the significant steps taken by the government toward reducing greenhouse gases and addressing global warming. By going electric with scooters, customers bring this change and pave the way for clean air and health.
Government Incentives
The Indian government provides a lot of incentives and subsidies for electric vehicles, thereby encouraging their adoption. These benefits make buying electric scooters much more affordable, at least for the general public. For example, this scheme called FAME—Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles—provides buyers of electric vehicles with financial incentives. Many states offer their own subsidies, thus lowering the cost further. Traditional scooters do not enjoy any such benefits. With no government support, these are not so attractive when one looks at the long-term advantages that electric scooters bring. Although currently, the FAME-2 has been concluded (25-7-24) it is well anticipated that the other round of FAME subsidies will be in force soon.
Charging Infrastructure
One of the major concerns in people's minds, who intend to buy electric scooters, is the availability of the charging infrastructure. Moving to tackle this challenge, Ather Energy brings on board its Ather Grid, a network of fast-charging stations set up at strategic locations across major cities in India. No hassles, quick charging at these stations ensures refuelling of scooters on the go. Besides, Ather offers home charging solutions, allowing users to charge their scooters overnight. With the advancements in battery technology and the increasing charging network, range anxiety is slowly becoming a non-issue for Ather scooter owners.
Conclusion
Though conventional scooters might be cheaper in terms of on-road price, Ather Energy scooters avoid these huge fuel costs with less maintenance and higher performance while being environmentally friendly. The push of the government for electric vehicles and the charging infrastructure that this brand is providing with Ather, make electric scooters a very viable option for the future. Ather Energy helps drive India toward sustainable transport. Hence, there is now a leader in the electric vehicle market, working with a comprehensive solution for the eco-conscious rider. Riding Ather Energy scooters guarantees that consumers are getting not just an investment in a high-performance vehicle but also a contribution to a cleaner and greener future.