Ather Energy, one of India’s leading electric vehicle companies, has announced its plans to enter the international market with the export of its bestselling flagship model, the 450X, to Nepal. Ather will establish its first global footprint by partnering with Vaidya Energy, subsidiary of Vaidya’s Organization of Industries & Trading Houses (VOITH), a leading industrial conglomerate in Nepal, with the opening of its Experience Centre in Kathmandu in November this year.
Mr. Ravneet Phokela, CBO, Ather Energy (right) with Mr. Suryansh Vaidya, CEO, Vaidya Energy
Ather’s retail expansion to a market outside India, comes on the back of its runaway success in the domestic market, where its 450 Series is the undisputed leader in the premium two-wheeler electric vehicle (EV) segment with a 75% market share. The plans to export the Ather 450X also comes at a time when Nepal is shifting towards more clean mobility options. A relatively smaller market than its larger neighbours like India and China, Nepal however presents a very promising proposition for companies like Ather to understand new markets in terms of product performance and acceptability.
The partnership between Ather Energy and Vaidya Energy will redefine the electric two-wheeler market in Nepal by making high-performance EVs more accessible to Nepalese consumers. As a part of the association, Vaidya Energy will facilitate the sales and service of Ather products in Nepal. Over the years, Ather Energy has made strategic investments towards creating a favourable ecosystem to facilitate a stress-free transition to EVs. The company will retain the same philosophy while expanding its retail operations in Nepal. Vaidya Energy will also set up fast-charging stations, Ather Grids, as part of this partnership to alleviate range anxiety.
Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather, said “Ather has pioneered the electric scooter segment in India and while we continue growing domestically, we are really excited about expanding our business footprint to international markets. We have had incredible in-bound demand from multiple markets, and Nepal is the first step in our journey of going international. We see Nepal’s automobile market as a microcosm of the rising global consciousness over switching to cleaner mobility choices. In line with our ecosystem approach of market creation, we will also roll out our public fast charging infrastructure, which has proven to be a huge differentiator for us in India. We are delighted to partner with Vaidya Group as we enter the Nepal market. Their extensive experience and established expertise in the automotive retail sector will complement our efforts in creating an exceptional experience for our fans and customers.”
Commenting on the partnership with Ather, Suryansh Vaidya, CEO, Vaidya Energy said, “We believe that mobility should transcend the mundane; it should be an experience that brings joy and thrill to people’s lives. Through our collaboration with Ather Energy, we are fusing our expertise in premium mobility solutions with their cutting-edge electric vehicle technology, setting the stage for an entirely new level of excitement in the realm of mobility. Importantly, our vehicles not only offer a thrilling experience but also contribute significantly to cost savings, added convenience, and reduced commute times. We pledge to develop the whole ecosystem and focus on the customer experience, whether it comes to the product itself, its services and the infrastructure.”
Vaidya Energy is part of Vaidya’s Organization of Industries & Trading Houses, which is today one of the most dynamic business houses in Nepal, with interest in trading houses, industrial enterprises, services, construction and education. Vaidya Energy, under the umbrella of VOITH, stands as a prominent player in energy solutions, introducing innovation and expertise to promote sustainability in the industry. Leveraging its extensive network and strong connections, VOITH is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of the local business landscape.
As part of its international expansion, Ather will be introducing its flagship 450X model, now available with two battery options: 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh, catering to a wider range of preferences. The 450X, is already well-known for its top-notch features such as ParkAssist™, AutoHold™, FallSafe™, a 7-inch TFT touchscreen with Google Maps integration, a top speed of 90 km/hr, and a certified range of 146 km, making it Ather’s best-selling product in India.
Ather currently has a robust retail sales network across India, with a presence in 100+ cities and 150 Experience Centres. The company has installed more than 1500 Ather Grids, fast charging points across India. Ather’s manufacturing facility, spread across 300,000 sq. ft. will help the brand expand its production capacity to 420,000 units per year in FY 2024, further enabling the company to fulfil the increasing demand for its flagship scooter, the Ather 450X.
