At the recent Ather Community Day 2025 event held on August 30 in Bengaluru, Ather Energy made several groundbreaking announcements that underscore its commitment to innovation in the electric two-wheeler space. Among the highlights were the unveiling of futuristic concepts like the EL01 and Redux, the introduction of the new EL platform, and advanced features for existing models. One of the most exciting reveals for current owners was the upcoming over-the-air (OTA) update for the Ather Rizta Z, Ather’s popular family-oriented electric scooter. This update promises to transform the user experience by activating full touchscreen functionality, introducing a new Eco mode, and featuring a refreshed user interface—all without requiring any hardware changes.
Ather Community Day 2025: A Platform for the Future
The third edition of Ather’s annual Community Day was a celebration of progress, attended by owners, enthusiasts, and industry stakeholders. The event showcased Ather’s vision for scalable electric mobility, starting with the all-new EL platform. This modular architecture, developed using insights from over 26 lakh kilometers of rider data, features a unibody steel chassis for enhanced durability and cost efficiency. It supports battery sizes from 2 kWh to 5 kWh, 12-inch to 14-inch wheels, and various form factors, from sporty commuters to maxi-scooters. The first production model on this platform is slated for launch during the 2026 festive season, manufactured at Ather’s upcoming Aurangabad facility.
Complementing the hardware reveal were two concept scooters: the EL01, a family-focused urban e-scooter with a simple design and rider-assist features, and the Redux, a crossover “moto-scooter” with adaptive ergonomics, a cast aluminum frame, and true keyless entry. Additionally, the 2025 Ather 450 Apex received “Infinite Cruise,” an advanced cruise control system tailored for Indian roads, including CityCruise for traffic, Hill Control for inclines, and Crawl Control for rough terrains. Ather also launched a compact 6 kW fast charger that adds 30 km of range in just 10 minutes, with some units featuring built-in tire inflators.
But for Rizta owners, the spotlight was firmly on software enhancements via AtherStack 7.0, the latest iteration of Ather’s proprietary software suite. This update introduces voice interaction powered by a large language model tuned for Indian dialects, crash alerts with live location sharing, pothole warnings based on fleet data, and enhanced security features like ParkSafe and LockSafe.
OTA Updates for the Ather Rizta Z: Enhancing Everyday Rides
The Ather Rizta Z, launched in April 2024, has been a runaway success, crossing the one-lakh sales milestone within a year and accounting for 60% of Ather’s total sales. Designed as a practical family scooter with class-leading 56 liters of total storage (34 liters underseat + 22 liters frunk), it’s ideal for urban commutes and errands. Priced at ₹1.30 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top-spec variant with a 3.7 kWh battery, it offers a claimed IDC range of up to 159 km, a top speed of 80 km/h, and 0-40 km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds, powered by a 4.3 kW motor producing 22 Nm of torque.
The star of the show for Rizta Z owners is the free OTA update, expected to roll out in the coming weeks—starting with attendees of the Community Day event. Ather’s CEO, Tarun Mehta, emphasized that the scooter’s 7-inch TFT display has had the touch hardware built-in from the start, but it was initially disabled due to supply chain shifts and software optimization. Customer feedback and usage data revealed a strong demand for touch navigation, prompting Ather to reactivate it via software. This backward compatibility ensures all existing Rizta Z models get the upgrade overnight, without a service center visit, marking a significant win for customer loyalty.
Key Features in the OTA Update
- Full Touchscreen Functionality: The 7-inch TFT cluster will now support intuitive touch navigation, allowing riders to access ride modes, Google Maps integration, and settings directly on the screen. This eliminates reliance on physical buttons, making interactions smoother and less distracting—especially useful for gloved hands or quick adjustments during rides.
- Refreshed User Interface (UI): The updated UI, part of AtherStack 7.0, offers a more modern and responsive design. It includes multi-language support (starting with Hindi, followed by Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada), live cricket scores on the dashboard, and seamless integration with the Ather app for features like live location sharing and theft alerts.
- New Eco Mode: In addition to existing Zip and SmartEco modes, the new Eco mode lets riders fine-tune performance for maximum range without sacrificing usability. It’s particularly beneficial for family users prioritizing efficiency on longer trips, potentially extending real-world range while maintaining the scooter’s traction control, hill hold, and Magic Twist (regenerative braking via throttle twist).
These updates are enabled by the scooter’s advanced hardware, including a Snapdragon 212 quad-core processor, ensuring lag-free performance. Mechanically, the Rizta Z remains unchanged, retaining its three battery options (2.7 kWh, 2.9 kWh, and 3.7 kWh) for ranges from 123 km to 159 km. Safety features like skid control, emergency stop signals, and reverse mode continue to make it a reliable choice.
New Color Option: Terracotta Red
To add flair to the updates, Ather introduced a striking new Terracotta Red color scheme with a super-matte, dual-tone finish. Available for both Rizta S and Z variants, it starts at ₹1.05 lakh for the S and ₹1.30 lakh for the Z (ex-showroom, Bengaluru). This earthy hue complements the scooter’s family-friendly aesthetics, joining existing options like Deccan Grey, Siachen White, and Pangong Blue.
Why This Matters for Ather and Indian EV RidersAther’s focus on OTA updates demonstrates a forward-thinking approach in India’s burgeoning EV market, where software plays a pivotal role in extending product life and enhancing value. By prioritizing existing customers, Ather builds trust and differentiates itself from competitors like Ola S1, TVS iQube, and Bajaj Chetak. The Rizta Z’s upgrades align with the growing demand for tech-savvy, efficient family scooters, especially as EV adoption rises with subsidies under PM E-DRIVE.
As Ather gears up for its EL platform launches, these enhancements keep the Rizta relevant. If you’re an existing owner, keep an eye on your Ather app for the update notification. For potential buyers, the Rizta Z now offers even more reasons to go electric. What do you think of these updates—game-changer or nice-to-have? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more EV news!
