Bengaluru, India — March 11, 2025 — In the fast-evolving world of electric mobility, Ather Energy stands out as a homegrown success story driving India toward a cleaner and smarter transportation future. Founded in 2013 by IIT Madras alumni Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, Ather has become a benchmark in India’s electric two-wheeler segment, offering cutting-edge performance, premium design, and robust infrastructure solutions.

Their vision to replace outdated, fuel-dependent scooters with intelligent, high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) has not only disrupted the status quo but also positioned Ather as a key player in India’s rapidly growing EV ecosystem.

From IIT Labs to Market Leader
Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, both mechanical engineering graduates from IIT Madras, began their journey by researching lithium-ion battery systems during their time at college. Their shared passion for clean energy and mobility led to the founding of Ather Energy, with early support from the institute’s incubation cell.

Their mission was clear: build India’s first smart, high-performance electric scooter that would break the stereotype of electric vehicles being slow, underpowered, or unreliable. With initial funding from angel investors and later backing from Tiger Global and Flipkart co-founders Sachin and Binny Bansal, the foundation was laid for a bold entry into India’s emerging EV market.

Disrupting the Two-Wheeler Industry
The launch of Ather 450 in 2018 was a watershed moment for Indian electric mobility. With top speeds of 90 km/h, fast-charging support, and a touchscreen dashboard powered by an operating system, the scooter redefined what consumers could expect from an EV.

The upgraded Ather 450X, launched in 2020, added new features such as Warp Mode for enhanced acceleration and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, reinforcing Ather’s image as a tech-first mobility company. Alongside, Ather built its proprietary Ather Grid — a nationwide network of fast-charging stations — to address infrastructure challenges head-on.

Battling Challenges with Innovation
Launching a hardware-focused mobility startup in India came with its own set of challenges:

Infrastructure limitations in manufacturing and battery supply chains.
Consumer hesitation due to limited EV awareness and lack of charging facilities.
Competitive pressure from legacy two-wheeler giants and emerging EV players.
Despite these hurdles, Mehta and Jain’s engineering-first approach, combined with a deep understanding of user behavior, allowed Ather to maintain its lead in product innovation and user experience. Their decision to establish a 500,000-unit-per-year Future Factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, gave the company manufacturing scalability to meet growing demand.

National Expansion and Market Penetration
Today, Ather has operations in over 100 cities across India, with plans to double its presence by 2026. The brand has seen exponential growth in urban centers like Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Delhi NCR, where demand for electric scooters is rising due to government incentives and rising fuel costs.

To make ownership more accessible, Ather also introduced leasing and EMI plans, along with partnerships with financial institutions. Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler maker, has taken a strategic equity stake in Ather, further validating the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Vision for the Future: More Than Just Scooters
Ather is no longer just a scooter manufacturer. With continued investment in R&D, Mehta and Jain are building a future where smart mobility ecosystems integrate connected devices, energy storage, and autonomous driving. Key future initiatives include:

Launch of Ather’s first electric motorcycle, expected by mid-2026.
Next-gen battery packs with faster charging and extended life cycles.
AI-powered vehicle intelligence for predictive maintenance and personalized ride settings.
Strengthening Ather Grid, with over 2,000 charging stations planned by 2025-end.
“We are not just solving for urban mobility,” said CEO Tarun Mehta in a recent interview. “We are solving for the future of clean, intelligent transportation in India — and beyond.”

Recognition and Impact
Both co-founders have been recognized in multiple global platforms:

Forbes Asia 30 Under 30
Business Today’s Most Powerful Entrepreneurs
Featured in Time Magazine’s Next-Gen Leaders List
They are also seen as key influencers in India’s startup ecosystem, often mentoring early-stage mobility and cleantech ventures.

Conclusion
In a market increasingly defined by sustainability and innovation, Ather Energy is not just riding the EV wave — it is leading it. With visionary founders like Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain at the helm, the company is primed to define the next decade of Indian transportation. As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, Ather stands tall as a symbol of homegrown ingenuity, technological prowess, and relentless ambition.

Bengaluru, India — March 11, 2025 — In the fast-evolving world of electric mobility, Ather Energy stands out as a homegrown success story driving India toward a cleaner and smarter transportation future. Founded in 2013 by IIT Madras alumni Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, Ather has become a benchmark in India’s electric two-wheeler segment, offering cutting-edge performance, premium design, and robust infrastructure solutions.

Their vision to replace outdated, fuel-dependent scooters with intelligent, high-performance electric vehicles (EVs) has not only disrupted the status quo but also positioned Ather as a key player in India’s rapidly growing EV ecosystem.

From IIT Labs to Market Leader
Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, both mechanical engineering graduates from IIT Madras, began their journey by researching lithium-ion battery systems during their time at college. Their shared passion for clean energy and mobility led to the founding of Ather Energy, with early support from the institute’s incubation cell.

Their mission was clear: build India’s first smart, high-performance electric scooter that would break the stereotype of electric vehicles being slow, underpowered, or unreliable. With initial funding from angel investors and later backing from Tiger Global and Flipkart co-founders Sachin and Binny Bansal, the foundation was laid for a bold entry into India’s emerging EV market.

Disrupting the Two-Wheeler Industry
The launch of Ather 450 in 2018 was a watershed moment for Indian electric mobility. With top speeds of 90 km/h, fast-charging support, and a touchscreen dashboard powered by an operating system, the scooter redefined what consumers could expect from an EV.

The upgraded Ather 450X, launched in 2020, added new features such as Warp Mode for enhanced acceleration and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, reinforcing Ather’s image as a tech-first mobility company. Alongside, Ather built its proprietary Ather Grid — a nationwide network of fast-charging stations — to address infrastructure challenges head-on.

Battling Challenges with Innovation
Launching a hardware-focused mobility startup in India came with its own set of challenges:

Infrastructure limitations in manufacturing and battery supply chains.
Consumer hesitation due to limited EV awareness and lack of charging facilities.
Competitive pressure from legacy two-wheeler giants and emerging EV players.
Despite these hurdles, Mehta and Jain’s engineering-first approach, combined with a deep understanding of user behavior, allowed Ather to maintain its lead in product innovation and user experience. Their decision to establish a 500,000-unit-per-year Future Factory in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, gave the company manufacturing scalability to meet growing demand.

National Expansion and Market Penetration
Today, Ather has operations in over 100 cities across India, with plans to double its presence by 2026. The brand has seen exponential growth in urban centers like Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Delhi NCR, where demand for electric scooters is rising due to government incentives and rising fuel costs.

To make ownership more accessible, Ather also introduced leasing and EMI plans, along with partnerships with financial institutions. Hero MotoCorp, India’s largest two-wheeler maker, has taken a strategic equity stake in Ather, further validating the company’s long-term growth prospects.

Vision for the Future: More Than Just Scooters
Ather is no longer just a scooter manufacturer. With continued investment in R&D, Mehta and Jain are building a future where smart mobility ecosystems integrate connected devices, energy storage, and autonomous driving. Key future initiatives include:

Launch of Ather’s first electric motorcycle, expected by mid-2026.
Next-gen battery packs with faster charging and extended life cycles.
AI-powered vehicle intelligence for predictive maintenance and personalized ride settings.
Strengthening Ather Grid, with over 2,000 charging stations planned by 2025-end.
“We are not just solving for urban mobility,” said CEO Tarun Mehta in a recent interview. “We are solving for the future of clean, intelligent transportation in India — and beyond.”

Recognition and Impact
Both co-founders have been recognized in multiple global platforms:

Forbes Asia 30 Under 30
Business Today’s Most Powerful Entrepreneurs
Featured in Time Magazine’s Next-Gen Leaders List
They are also seen as key influencers in India’s startup ecosystem, often mentoring early-stage mobility and cleantech ventures.

Conclusion
In a market increasingly defined by sustainability and innovation, Ather Energy is not just riding the EV wave — it is leading it. With visionary founders like Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain at the helm, the company is primed to define the next decade of Indian transportation. As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, Ather stands tall as a symbol of homegrown ingenuity, technological prowess, and relentless ambition.