KATHMANDU: Vaidya Energy, a subsidiary of the renowned Vaidya’s Organisations of Industries and Trading Houses (VOITH), has announced a strategic collaboration with Ather Energy, India’s leading smart electric vehicle manufacturer. This partnership between the two industry giants aims to redefine the landscape of future mobility, placing a strong emphasis on safety and technology while also delivering an exhilarating experience for users.
Ather revealed its intentions to venture into the global market by exporting its top-selling flagship model, the 450X. The company will also set up Ather Space, its experiential retail outlet, along with establishing its fast charging network, Ather Grids, across Nepal. The deliveries of Ather 450X will start in November. In the course of its global expansion, Ather Energy will launch its leading model, the 450X, which will now offer two battery choices: 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh, catering to a broader spectrum of customer preferences. The 450X is renowned for its outstanding features, including ParkAssist™, AutoHold™, FallSafe™, a 7-inch TFT touchscreen with integrated Google Maps, a maximum speed of 90 km/hr, and an officially certified range of 146 km, establishing it as Ather Energy's most popular product in the Indian market.
To bolster this collaboration, Vaidya Energy will establish fast-charging stations, known as Ather Grids, to address concerns about limited riding range and build trust for the millions of riders in the country.
The synergy between Vaidya Energy, a subsidiary of VOITH, and Ather signifies the convergence of expertise, vision, and a shared passion for sustainable and enjoyable mobility. Drawing upon their unique strengths, the two companies are united in their mission to transform every journey from a mere commute into an adventure brimming with fun and excitement. The collaboration blends VOITH's wealth of experience with globally recognized brands like (Toyota, Huaxin Cement, XCMG and more) and Ather's pioneering technology.
Suryansh Vaidya, CEO of Vaidya Energy, expressed the essence of this collaboration, stating, "We believe that mobility should transcend the mundane; it should be an experience that brings joy and thrill to people's lives. Through our collaboration with Ather Energy, we are fusing our expertise with their cutting-edge electric vehicle technology, setting the stage for an entirely new level of excitement in the realm of mobility. Importantly, our vehicles not only offer a thrilling experience but also contribute significantly to cost savings, added convenience, and reduced commute times. We pledge to develop the whole ecosystem and focus on the customer experience, whether it comes to the product itself, its services and the infrastructure"
Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer at Ather, said “Ather has pioneered the electric scooter segment in India and while we continue growing domestically, we are really excited about expanding our business footprint to international markets. We have had incredible inbound demand from multiple markets, and Nepal is the first step in our journey of going international. We see Nepal’s automobile market as a microcosm of the rising global consciousness over switching to cleaner mobility choices. In line with our ecosystem approach to market creation, we will also roll out our public fast-charging infrastructure, which has proven to be a huge differentiator for us in India. We are delighted to partner with Vaidya Group as we enter the Nepal market. Their extensive experience and established expertise in the automotive retail sector will complement our efforts in creating an exceptional experience for our fans and customers.”
Ather currently has a robust retail sales network across India, with a presence in 100+ cities and 150 outlets. The company has installed more than 1500 Ather Grids, fast charging points across India. Ather's manufacturing facility, spread across 300,000 sq. ft. will help the brand expand its production capacity to 420,000 units per year in FY 2024, further enabling the company to fulfil the increasing demand for its flagship scooter, the Ather 450X.
The collaboration is rooted in a joint commitment to steering the future of mobility towards a safer, greener, and more enjoyable horizon, while also addressing the practical aspects of cost savings, convenience, and efficient charging infrastructure. Together, Vaidya Energy and Ather Energy are poised to drive transformative change in Nepal, ushering in an era where mobility is not just a necessity but a source of joy, fulfilment, and practical benefits.
Vaidya Energy, under the umbrella of VOITH, stands as a prominent player in energy solutions, introducing innovation and expertise to promote sustainability in the industry.
Founded in 2013 by IIT Madras alumni Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, Ather Energy is India's pioneering intelligent electric vehicle manufacturer. Backed by Hero MotoCorp, GIC, NIIF, Sachin Bansal, and Tiger Global, Ather introduced India's first intelligent electric scooter, the Ather 450, in 2018, followed by the flagship Ather 450X in 2020 and the Gen3 in 2022.
