Latest news with #Ather
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs rivals: Can it beat TVS iQube, Vida V2 Plus, Ather Rizta
The Bajaj Chetak 3001 has been recently introduced as a lower-cost version of the popular electric scooter. Starting at ₹99,990, ex-showroom, the model becomes the new starting point in the Chetak range and will find favor with budget-conscious urban buyers. With its launch, Bajaj is taking on better-established brands like TVS, Ather, Vida, Honda and soon-to-be-launched Japanese player the Suzuki e-Access in an extremely competitive segment. Here's a comparison of how the Chetak 3001 stacks up against competition in terms of battery capacity, range, charging time, features, and price. ₹ 1.1 - 1.49 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 94,434 - 1.59 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 74,000 - 1.2 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 99,990 - 1.46 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 1.49 - 1.79 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon ₹ 1.7 - 1.74 Lakhs Offers Expiring soon The Bajaj Chetak 3001 is equipped with a 3kWh battery pack, placing it between the base 2.2kWh model of the TVS iQube and the bigger 3.5kWh models. It has a claimed IDC range of 127 km, just behind the Ather Rizta S's 123km-claimed range for its 2.9 kWh battery pack and ahead of the Vida V2 Plus with 143km and TVS iQube 3.5 with 145 km claimed range. Against the next Suzuki e-Access, which boasts a 3kWh battery but provides just 95km of range using lower energy-density LFP cells, the Chetak comes out better. The Honda QC1, with its minuscule 1.5kWh battery and 80km claimed range, languishes far behind, although at a lower cost. The Chetak 3001 was equipped with a 750W charger, which allows it to charge from 0–80 per cent in 3 hours and 50 minutes. It may not be fast-charge capable, but its charge time is faster than most of the entry-level options. For example, the Ather Rizta S, which is positioned higher, takes 6 hours and 30 minutes to hit 80 per cent charge with its standard charger. However, both the Ather and Vida models use the Ather Grid to make fast-charge compatible, which is fantastic for quick top-ups when commuting is urgent. The TVS iQube 2.2kWh has the fastest standard charge time at 2 hours and 45 minutes. Its 3.5kWh sibling and the Suzuki e-Access need approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, but Suzuki is claiming just 1 hour and 12 minutes charging on its fast charger, which could give it an advantage down the road. At ₹99,990, the Bajaj Chetak 3001 is fairly priced, undercutting some rivals and offering better value than others. Though the Vida V2 Plus leads with a highly discounted ₹85,300 price point, this is probably valid only for a short while. The Honda QC1, at ₹90,000, is reasonably priced but lacks in range and battery size. On the pricier side, the TVS iQube 3.5 is priced at ₹1.31 lakh, and the Ather Rizta S at ₹1.10 lakh—apart from another ₹14,000 for Ather's Pro Pack, which activates core features. The TVS iQube 2.2 is priced at ₹1 lakh, positioning it almost on the same price point as the Chetak.
Mint
a day ago
- Automotive
- Mint
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Ather Rizta vs TVS iQube: Can the new electric scooter contend well?
The Bajaj Chetak 3001 has recently made its debut as a more affordable version of the successful electric scooter line. Priced at ₹ 99,990 ex-showroom, this model sets a new entry-level benchmark in the Chetak series, making it particularly appealing to urban riders who are cost-conscious. With this launch, Bajaj is setting its sights on competing with brands such as TVS, Ather, Vida, Honda, and the upcoming Japanese entrant from Suzuki in a fiercely competitive market segment. Read below as we delve into a comparison of how the Chetak 3001 performs in terms of battery capacity, range, charging time, features, and pricing against its rivals: The Bajaj Chetak 3001 is equipped with a 3 kWh battery pack, positioning it between the entry-level 2.2 kWh variant of the TVS iQube and the larger 3.5 kWh models. It boasts a claimed IDC range of 127 km, which places it slightly behind the Ather Rizta S, which has a claimed range of 123 km with its 2.9 kWh battery pack, but ahead of both the Vida V2 Plus, which has a range of 143 km, and the TVS iQube 3.5, which claims a range of 145 km. In comparison to the soon-to-be-released Suzuki e-Access, also equipped with a 3 kWh battery but only achieving a range of 95 km due to its less energy-dense LFP cells, the Chetak 3001 performs better. The Honda QC1, featuring a small 1.5 kWh battery and a claimed range of 80 km, significantly lags behind, albeit at a lower price point. The Chetak 3001 comes with a 750W charger that allows it to recharge from 0 to 80 per cent in a time frame of 3 hours and 50 minutes. While it does not come with fast-charging capabilities, this charging time is more efficient than many of its entry-level competitors. For instance, the Ather Rizta S, although classified in a higher segment, requires 6 hours and 30 minutes to reach the 80 per cent charged mark using its standard charger. However, the Ather and Vida models do benefit from compatibility with the Ather Grid fast-charging network, enabling quicker recharges during urgent commuting needs. The TVS iQube 2.2 kWh model stands out with the fastest standard charging time of just 2 hours and 45 minutes, while its 3.5 kWh variant and the Suzuki e-Access will both take approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Notably, Suzuki has promised a mere 1 hour and 12 minutes of charging time with their upcoming fast-charger setup, providing them with potential competitive advantages in the future. At a starting price of ₹ 99,990, the Bajaj Chetak 3001 is competitively priced, undercutting several rivals while delivering more value than others. The Vida V2 Plus heads the list with a heavily discounted price of ₹ 85,300, though this pricing strategy is likely temporary. The Honda QC1 is also priced affordably at ₹ 90,000 but compromises on range and battery size. On the higher end of the pricing spectrum, the TVS iQube 3.5 is listed at ₹ 1.31 lakh, with the Ather Rizta S available for ₹ 1.10 lakh, excluding an additional ₹ 14,000 for Ather's Pro Pack, which unlocks various essential features. Meanwhile, the TVS iQube 2.2 is priced at ₹ 1 lakh, placing it at a similar price point as the Chetak 3001.
NDTV
a day ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
Ather Energy To Double Its Retail Network Across India By FY26
Ather Energy, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has announced a major expansion of its retail footprint with plans to scale up to 700 Experience Centres (ECs) across the country by the end of FY2026. The move will nearly double Ather's existing network, significantly enhancing accessibility for customers looking to experience, test ride, and purchase its electric scooters. The expansion is driven by the strong market response to the Ather Rizta. Since its launch less than a year ago, the Rizta has crossed 1 lakh units in retail sales, broadening Ather's appeal beyond its traditional performance-oriented audience. The scooter now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of Ather's overall sales, helping the brand make inroads into previously untapped markets. States such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have emerged as high-growth territories for Ather, thanks to the Rizta's growing popularity. The company aims to triple its store count in Northern India, while also aggressively expanding in Eastern and Western regions. Till March 31, 2025, Ather operated 351 ECs in India, along with 24 international centres in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Roughly 46 per cent of its retail presence is currently concentrated in Southern India, where the brand initially established its base. In parallel with its retail network expansion, Ather continues to strengthen its EV ecosystem. The company operates over 3,578 fast-charging points across the country through the Ather Grid, India's largest fast-charging network for two-wheelers. Ather is also scaling up its service infrastructure, including the introduction of Gold Service Centres in major cities and its Express Care service, which enables customers to complete periodic maintenance in under 60 minutes. Ather currently runs two plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu-one for vehicle assembly and another for battery production. A third facility is under development in Bidkin, AURIC (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar), Maharashtra, which will boost the company's total manufacturing capacity to 1.42 million electric two-wheelers annually.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New Indian Express
Electric two-wheeler maker Ather to double retail network to 700 centres in FY26
Electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy is planning to scale up its retail network to 700 Experience Centres (ECs) across India by the end of FY 2026. As of March 31, Ather had 351 ECs in India, along with 24 in Nepal and Sri Lanka. Around 46% of these are in South India, where Ather first built its base. The recently listed company said the expansion comes at a time when it is seeing strong momentum for its EVs with its family scooter Rizta recently crossing 1 lakh units in retail sales within a year of its launch. 'Rizta's phenomenal success has opened up new markets and brought a much larger set of family buyers into the Ather ecosystem. We're seeing demand coming in from cities where our footprint was previously limited, and that gives us the confidence to scale faster,' said Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Suzuki e-Access vs TVS iQube: Battery, range comparison
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs competition. Bajaj has expanded its electric two-wheeler portfolio with the launch of the new entry-level Chetak 3001, priced at Rs 99,990, ex-showroom. With growing competition in the affordable EV scooter space, the new Chetak competes as a direct rival to models like the TVS iQube , Ather Rizta S , and the upcoming Suzuki e-Access . Here's a look at how these e-scooters stack up against each other in terms of battery, prices, range and charging times. Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs TVS iQube entry-level duo vs Ather Rizta S: Key details compared The Chetak 3001 is equipped with a 3kWh battery pack, delivering a claimed range of 127 km on a single charge. Charging the scooter from 0 to 80% takes 3 hours and 50 minutes using a 750W charger. In comparison, Ather's Rizta S comes with a slightly smaller 2.9kWh battery and claims a range of 123 km. However, it lags behind in charging speed: it takes 6 hours and 30 minutes to charge up to 80% with a portable charger. The Rizta S, though, demands a premium with a price tag of Rs 1.10 lakh, ex-showroom. Simple One review: Is this the EV to beat? | TOI Auto The TVS iQube offers two variants in this pricing segment. The base version gets a 2.2kWh battery, good for 94 km of range, and takes about 2 hours 45 minutes to charge to 80% using a 650W charger. It's priced more affordably at Rs 94,434, ex-showroom. The higher-spec variant with a 3.5kWh battery offers a range of 145 km and charges to 80% in around 4.5 hours, but it costs a bit more at Rs 1.09 lakh, ex-showroom. The upcoming Suzuki e-Access, meanwhile, features a 3.07kWh LFP battery and is expected to deliver a claimed range of 95 km. It offers flexibility in charging too: with a standard portable charger taking 6 hours 42 minutes, and DC fast charging reducing that to just 2 hours 12 minutes. Pricing for the Suzuki e-scooter is yet to be revealed. Stay tuned to TOI Auto for latest updates on the automotive sector and do follow us on our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X. Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India .
