Ather Energy used its ACD-2026 event to showcase the production version of its first scooter on the new EL platform, the Konarc, while also sharing updates on Ather Stack, public charging solutions and its broader strategy. The launch marks a significant shift for the company as it moves deeper into the volume-driven segment of India’s electric scooter market, prompting comparisons with the classic Jupiter versus Ntorq rivalry that once defined the ICE scooter space. In many ways, Konarc versus Rizta represents Ather’s own version of that moment, with the new model positioned as a more accessible, mass-market offering designed to capture a much larger share of buyers.
The Konarc arrives on the EL platform, a ground-up architecture developed with extensive real-world data and focused on lower costs, easier servicing, onboard charging and everyday usability. Priced from ₹99,999 ex-showroom for the entry-level S-100 variant, it undercuts previous Ather models and opens the door to a far broader customer base. Higher variants offer greater claimed range, while future versions including a 200 km model and more feature-rich Z trims are already in the pipeline. Ather expects the Konarc to cannibalise some Rizta sales, creating production space that will help the company better meet overall demand. The new scooter will be manufactured at the upcoming Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar plant, which is set to expand capacity significantly once operational.
Capacity remains one of Ather’s most pressing challenges. The company is currently seeing monthly demand of more than 50,000 units while its existing facilities can produce only around 35,000 units. This demand-supply mismatch has left dealers with minimal inventory and customers facing waiting periods. By shifting some production volume from the Rizta to the Konarc and bringing the new Maharashtra plant online, Ather aims to close the gap over the coming quarters even as overall demand continues to grow.
A critical factor hanging over the Konarc’s pricing competitiveness is the Production Linked Incentive scheme. Ather faces an estimated 16 percent cost disadvantage against brands that qualify for the automotive PLI benefits. The company was excluded because of a policy provision that defined eligible “new companies” as those with zero revenue at the time of application. Having already begun generating sales before the scheme’s rollout, Ather fell outside both the established-player and new-entrant categories. CEO Tarun Mehta has repeatedly highlighted this quirk, noting that the incentive remains especially important for price-sensitive segments. Access to PLI support would make it far easier to position the Konarc S-100 at an even more competitive sweet spot and accelerate volume growth in the sub-₹1 lakh category.
Despite the policy hurdle, Ather continues to invest heavily in the EL platform and related technologies while expanding its charging ecosystem and software stack. The company views the current constraints as temporary and remains focused on scaling manufacturing and refining its product portfolio. The Konarc’s arrival signals Ather’s clearest move yet toward mainstream appeal, setting up an interesting internal contest with the established Rizta while the brand works to overcome capacity limits and the structural disadvantage created by its exclusion from the PLI scheme. How effectively Ather navigates these challenges will determine how quickly the Konarc can reshape its position in India’s rapidly evolving electric two-wheeler market.