Ather Energy Expects Konarc Electric Scooter to Drive Half of Sales Within Two Years
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy anticipates that its newly introduced Konarc electric scooter will account for more than half of its total sales over the next two years. The company is deliberately positioning the new model to attract buyers who would otherwise purchase internal-combustion engine scooters rather than focusing on capturing market share from rival electric vehicle brands.
According to MeraEV, under the Ministry of Heavy Industries' PM E-DRIVE guidelines, electric two-wheelers must achieve CMVR certification under amended AIS-156 Phase 2 standards, mandating thermal propagation protection and battery traceability. According to BikeWale, ather offers a 5-year or 60,000 km battery protection plan guaranteeing 70% state of health, alongside an extended 10,000 km service interval on the newly engineered EL platform.
According to Autocar India, india's annual scooter market accounts for over 8.11 million units, with ICE scooters vastly outnumbering electric two-wheelers which register around 1 million annual registrations. According to Autocar India, honda and TVS Motor Company hold a combined market share exceeding 75% in the Indian scooter market, with TVS capturing roughly 32% of monthly sales alongside Honda's Activa-led volume.
Chief business officer Ravneet Phokela stated that capturing mainstream buyers requires addressing foundational expectations before emphasizing advanced features. The company noted that fundamental concerns regarding comfort, safety, and battery life take precedence for buyers transitioning away from conventional fuel vehicles.
Platform Redesign and Manufacturing Economics
Built on Ather's newly developed EL platform, the Konarc introduces structural alterations aimed at lowering production costs while improving profit margins compared to existing models. According to Autocar Professional, phokela confirmed that the Konarc achieves higher profit margins than the Rizta despite carrying a lower starting price of Rs 99,999.
The engineering shift includes moving from an aluminium chassis used in the 450 and Rizta series to a tubular steel chassis for the Konarc. Additionally, Ather replaced the traditional two-stage belt transmission with a mechanical gearbox and integrated the battery charger and motor controller into a single hardware unit.
Architecture Evolution From Previous Platforms
The EL architecture incorporates manufacturing and engineering insights derived from the performance-oriented 450 platform. Phokela explained that while the 450 platform suits high-performance requirements, it proved overly complex for the family-oriented Rizta, which was constrained by existing architecture timelines.
The Konarc addresses these constraints by utilizing five variants, comprising three S versions and two Z versions. Four of these variants are priced competitively around the same level as the Rizta family scooter.
Phased Market Rollout and Dealership Expansion
Commercial distribution remains restricted as the Konarc is currently supplied exclusively to select regions in North India. Bookings across central and southern markets have been temporarily deferred until supply constraints are alleviated by a new manufacturing facility scheduled for commissioning in December 2026.
Ather has also temporarily suspended dealership network expansion while managing current inventory flow. The company maintains approximately 750 outlets nationwide and plans to resume calibrated expansion following the festive season, targeting roughly 2,000 stores over the next 18 to 24 months while monitoring dealer viability and profitability.
According to Autocar India, ather scaled its retail footprint to roughly 750 outlets nationwide and plans to expand to approximately 2,000 dealerships over an 18-to-24-month horizon following festive inventory consolidation.