Ather Energy, the Bengaluru-based startup that is known for their electric scooters (the 450 and 450x) may be planning a unique offering for the Indian market: An electric maxi-scooter.
Patent designs accessed by AutoCar India show that the company is working on a completely new frame and model for its next scooter. Though no details are available yet on its electric engine and battery capacity, it is likely to be equivalent or greater than that on offer in the Ather 450x, which is currently the company’s flagship offering.
An example of a maxi-scooter in the Indian market is the Aprilia SXR 125, which comes with a 125cc engine making 9.4bhp and 9.2 Nm of torque.
Around the same time, Honda also patented an electric maxi-scooter design of its own, with the PCX electric. In international markets, the PCX EV makes 5.6hp with a 4.2kW motor and has a top speed of just 60 kph.
By comparison, the Ather 450x makes 8.04 bhp and 26nM of torque from its 6kW motor.
However, Honda’s pedigree with maxi-scooters, which it has been making for decades, may add to the brand value of its own offering, expected later this year.
Some automotive outlets have speculated that the new Ather maxi-scooter could slot in at a price point below the 450x, which retails at 1.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Larger than conventional scooters, maxi-scooters offer better wind protection, storage and touring ability than regular scooters. The extra size usually comes alongside larger engine displacement.
According to Ather’s website, the company has filed 43 patent applications along with 11 international patent applications and 122 design registrations of their products, all of which were designed and made in India.
