Ather EL Low-Cost Scooter Concept to Debut on August 30 — Under ₹1 Lakh EV Scooter Coming in 2026

Bengaluru-based EV giant Ather Energy is all set to shake up India’s electric scooter market with its most affordable EV yet. The company has confirmed that the much-awaited Ather EL low-cost scooter concept will make its global debut on August 30, 2025, during the annual Ather Community Day.

The Ather EL will be the brand’s first family-oriented, budget-friendly scooter, aimed at making EV adoption more accessible to the masses. Unlike the sporty and premium Ather 450X and the family-focused Rizta, this new scooter will be priced under ₹1 lakh, directly targeting entry-level electric scooters from Ola Electric and Bajaj Chetak.

Key Highlights of the Ather EL Electric Scooter

• Global debut date: August 30, 2025 (Ather Community Day)

• Launch timeline: 2026

• Expected price: Under ₹1 lakh (Ather’s most affordable EV yet)

• Design: Simple, practical, and family-friendly styling

• Platform: All-new scalable architecture, modular components

• Features: Likely to support battery swapping for better convenience

• Competition: Ola S1 Air, Bajaj Chetak Urbane, TVS iQube base variant

What We Know So Far

Ather CEO Tarun Mehta shared on X (Twitter):

“Super excited to unveil our next generation scooter platform ‘EL’ at the Ather Community Day. Building on a decade of learnings from the 450 and Rizta, this one is versatile, lower cost, and highly scalable. And yes, we also have a concept to showcase!”

The teaser image suggests a conventional design with simple body panels, contrasting Ather’s futuristic styling seen on the 450 series. This makes the EL more appealing to family buyers and first-time EV users.

The scooter is expected to use shared parts from existing Ather platforms to reduce costs, while introducing modular features and possibly battery-swapping technology — a game-changer for long-distance users and fleet operators.

Rivals in Sight

With its under ₹1 lakh price tag, the Ather EL is set to compete head-on with:

• Ola S1 Air (entry-level EV)

• Bajaj Chetak Urbane

• TVS iQube base variant

This move could help Ather capture the mass EV market and boost EV adoption in smaller cities and towns where affordability remains the biggest barrier.

EVINDIA Take

The debut of the Ather EL could mark a turning point in India’s EV story, making premium EV technology available at a budget-friendly price. If Ather manages to balance range, performance, and price, this scooter may become one of the best-selling electric scooters in India in 2026.