Ather Energy expands its electric scooter range with the Konarc, a family-friendly model combining affordability, advanced tech, and city-centric convenience, marking a shift towards mass-market appeal.
Ather Energy has moved its electric-scooter line-up deeper into the mass market with the Konarc, a family-oriented model aimed at buyers who want a lower entry price without losing the brand’s more advanced features. The Bengaluru-based company says the scooter starts at INR99,999 and is built on its new EL platform, which has been designed for tougher roads and simpler maintenance. The launch marks Ather’s first production model on this architecture and broadens its appeal beyond premium urban commuters.
The entry versions are modest on paper but geared for short city journeys. According to Ather’s specifications, the scooter is offered with range figures of 100km, 125km and 161km, while top speed is capped at 70km/h. The base variant uses a swingarm-mounted motor, and published specifications place output in the 4kW to 4.7kW range with 16Nm of torque, depending on the trim referenced by different retail listings. Charging times are also kept practical, with the company saying the battery can be taken from 0% to 80% in about four hours from a wall outlet.
The more striking changes are in the higher trims, where Ather has folded in features usually associated with cars rather than scooters. The top version gets a 7-inch touchscreen with Google Maps-based navigation, live traffic data and route planning linked to remaining charge and charger availability. It also supports voice commands and can surface cricket scores, reflecting a market where two-wheelers are often used for daily commuting in dense traffic and riders want to keep their phones in their pockets.
Security and convenience are central to the Konarc’s appeal. Ather says the top model uses a proximity key that can lock and unlock the scooter automatically, but only starts once the rider is seated with the key present. The company also says the handlebar locks when the rider walks away, the key can be topped up wirelessly on the scooter in an emergency, and the companion app can act as a backup key if the physical fob is lost. The app can also remotely lock the vehicle, show battery status and even provide an offline authentication code.
Storage and manoeuvrability have been treated with similar attention. The under-seat compartment holds 31 litres, enough for two half-face helmets, and the seat can be opened electronically either from the key fob or by a rear button. Ather also highlights an Airwalk mode that helps the scooter creep forwards or backwards at walking pace, easing parking in tight spaces. Deliveries for the more basic versions begin this month in India, while the top-end Konarc Z, which adds a height-adjustable backrest, will follow later.
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