Ather EL01 Electric Scooter Patented: Is This India’s Cheapest EV?

Ather Energy has gone ahead and registered a design patent for an electric scooter that is inspired by the EL01 concept which means the company is looking forward to the expanding Indian electric vehicle market. The new scooter is going to be lower-priced than the current Ather Rizta that caters to family buyers and thus the company will not only reach out to more customers but also strengthen the existing presence of the startup in the market.

The new version will be the creation of Ather’s latest EL platform which was presented at the Ather Community Day 2025 earlier this year. Although Ather has not officially announced when the scooter will be available in the market, experts from the industry expect that the EL01 might be in dealers by 2026, thus being the first Ather scooter to come with the new platform.

The EL01 concept has some resemblance with Rizta but at the same time brings in a lot of changes. The features that have been changed include the new rectangular LED headlamp, a slim LED DRL that runs through the front apron and the integrated LED turn indicators and the newly added 7.0 inch TFT instrument cluster. There is also a single-piece seat that comes with a backrest for the pillion rider. All these design changes imply that the company is now ready for the production of a more affordable version of the Rizta.

The new scooter of Ather is likely to come with various battery options. The EL01 platform can support a wide range of battery packs from 2 kWh to 5 kWh with the design of mounting in the floorboard, which also provides a spacious area for the rider's feet. The initial guess is that a battery range of around 150 km will be provided per charge in order to make the scooter suitable for both urban and suburban commuting.

Ather Energy has enjoyed a very strong market demand for its 450 series scooters, and the Rizta has been among the top EVs in terms of family usage. The company intends to do the same with the EL01, offering low-cost access for the new customer segment of families seeking the electric mobility solution while at the same time introducing them to the brand.

By this action, Ather Energy not only maintains but also strengthens its place in the electric two-wheeler market in India, which is growing rapidly. The EL01 will be a mix of utility, price, and cutting-edge EV features, thus the company’s portfolio will get stronger in competition with local and foreign EV brands.

Main Points: Ather EL01

Constructed on the all-new Ather EL platform

Rectangular LED headlamp with thin DRL

Integrated indicators for the front apron

7.0-inch TFT speedometer

Single-piece seat with backrest for the pillion

Various battery pack choices (2 kWh – 5 kWh)

Anticipated mileage per charging: ~150 km

Tentative launch date: 2026