Ather Energy, India’s leading electric scooter manufacturer, has announced the launch of its third Experience Centre, Ather Space in OMR, Chennai, to strengthen its retail operations in the state. The expansion is driven by the strong consumer demand for the Ather 450X and 450 Plus electric scooters in the city. The newly launched Gen-3 of the flagship Ather 450X and 450 Plus will be available to test ride and purchase at Ather Space.
Speaking on the occasion, Ravneet S Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Tamil Nadu has emerged as a hub of EV manufacturing in India and Chennai is one of the key markets for Ather in the state. The launch of the improved Gen 3 scooters is aimed at targeting a larger consumer base . We are confident that the improved Ather 450X will attract more EV enthusiasts in the city and the new experience centre will help us cater to this rising demand.”
Ganesh Ranjan, Director Pillai Auto Pvt Ltd said “We at Pillai Auto, are very excited to start our journey with Ather. We have been following the journey of Ather from its inception to it becoming the disruptive force it is today in the two-wheeler space. Chennai being one of the earliest markets for Ather, we see great interest in Ather products in the market and anticipate high consumer demand in the coming months.”
The new Experience Center was launched in association with Pillai Auto. The Ather Space is designed to educate customers about electric vehicles while providing a holistic experience in an interactive space. The Ather Space will provide a unique ownership experience along with complete service and support for the owners in these cities. Customers will now be able to purchase and test ride the Ather 450X and 450 Plus from a convenient location in the city.
Ather Energy has a long history with the state of Tamil Nadu and has continued to invest strategically to create a favourable ecosystem for EVs in the state. In 2019, Ather opened its first Experience Centre in Chennai, and in 2021, the brand started its operations at the Hosur manufacturing facility, catering to demand from across the country. With the rising demand and aggressive expansion plans in place, Ather has commissioned its second factory space in Hosur and plans to manufacture 400,000 units per annum. The company has invested heavily in enhancing the public charging infrastructure in the state, installing 50+ Ather Grids, Ather’s fast charging network. In a bid to reiterate Ather’s commitment towards making EVs mainstream in the country and the brand’s focus on investing in the state of Tamil Nadu, Ather Energy partnered with TNPL 2022, the 6th edition of India’s biggest regional cricket league.
Ather Energy is one of the few OEMs that invests in charging infrastructure as well. There are currently 33 Ather Grids in Chennai and plans to add more across the city to strengthen the charging network. Ather Energy also supports customers with the installation of home charging systems in their flats and buildings.
Ather Energy has grown its retail network throughout important cities in India, and now has 49 retail outlets in 38 cities. The company intends to expand to 100 cities with 150 Experience Centres by March 2023.
The ex-showroom price post the Fame II revision for the new Ather 450X is INR 1,57,505 & INR 1,35,995 for the Ather 450 Plus in Chennai.
