Ather Energy just dropped a new variant of their popular Rizta, and honestly, it’s about time. The Rizta S 3.7kWh landed today with a price tag of Rs 1.38 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), and it feels like the company finally gets what riders actually want.
Here’s the thing – we’ve all been there, haven’t we? Stuck between wanting decent range without emptying our wallets on the top-spec model. Ather seems to have cracked that code with this new middle child. Bookings are live, and if you’re quick, you could be zipping around on one within the week.
What Makes This Launch Significant
Look, I’ve been covering this space for years now, and the timing here is spot-on. Electric scooters aren’t just a fad anymore – they hit 8.7% of total two-wheeler sales in March, which is pretty impressive when you think about it. The whole segment crossed 2 million units last year, growing at 24%. That’s real momentum.
Ather’s sitting pretty with a 12.28% slice of this pie, but they’re clearly eyeing that sweet spot between Rs 1.3-1.4 lakh where a lot of fence-sitters are hanging out. Smart move, if you ask me.
Range and Performance
Here’s where things get interesting. That 3.7kWh battery isn’t just a number on a spec sheet – it translates to 159km of IDC range. Now, we all know real-world numbers are different, but still, that’s a solid bump up from what you get with the smaller battery.
The fast charging bit remains unchanged, which is good news. Pop into any Ather Grid station, plug in for 10 minutes while you grab a coffee, and you’re looking at around 15km of extra juice. Not bad for a quick top-up during your lunch break.
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Features and Tech
Don’t worry, they haven’t stripped this one down to the bones. You still get that crisp 7-inch LCD console with proper turn-by-turn navigation – trust me, you’ll need it navigating through Bangalore traffic or Mumbai’s maze-like streets.
Safety-wise, it’s got all the good stuff: AutoHold (lifesaver at traffic lights), Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal, and theft alerts. Ather’s basically saying, “Here’s the bigger battery you wanted, but we’re not compromising on the essentials.”
Storage and Practicality
This is where the Rizta really shines for Indian families. That 34-litre underseat storage? It’s a game-changer. I’ve fit everything from grocery runs to weekend getaway bags in there. And if you’re still running out of space, there’s that optional 22-litre Frunk up front.
It’s like Ather actually rode around Indian cities and thought, “What do people really carry on their scooters?” The answer, as any of us who’ve balanced three bags of vegetables while navigating potholes know, is “a lot.”
Pricing Strategy
Let me break down the whole lineup for you:
| Variant | Price (Ex-showroom) |
|---|---|
| S 2.9kWh | Rs 1,11,046 |
| Z 2.9kWh | Rs 1,31,547 |
| S 3.7kWh | Rs 1,37,047 |
| Z 3.7kWh | Rs 1,51,547 |
See what they did there? The new S 3.7kWh is just Rs 6,000 more than the Z 2.9kWh. You’re basically paying peanuts extra for significantly more range while giving up some fancy features you probably won’t miss anyway.
Market Competition
The competition’s heating up, no doubt. TVS iQube’s been making waves, Bajaj Chetak has its loyal following, and don’t get me started on Ola’s aggressive pricing. But here’s the thing – Ather’s playing the long game. They’re betting on riders who value substance over style, range over bling.
And honestly? In a market where “Will it get me to work and back without dying?” is still the primary concern, that’s probably the right call.
Warranty and Service
Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough – that Eight70 warranty program. Eight years or 80,000km on the battery, whichever comes first. That’s proper peace of mind right there. Plus, over-the-air updates mean your scooter keeps getting better even after you’ve bought it.
It’s like having a smartphone on wheels that actually improves with age instead of slowing down.
The Bottom Line
Look, this isn’t going to set the world on fire with revolutionary features. But sometimes, the best products are the ones that simply give you more of what you actually need. In this case, it’s range without the premium price tag.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence between the base S and the loaded Z variant, this new middle option might just be your ticket off that uncomfortable perch. It’s practical, sensible, and priced right – very Indian, if you think about it.