Looker – Ather has got the styling on point, and the 450X grabs eyeballs wherever it goes. Even the design is sharp and chiselled and draws the attention of onlookers. The overall styling is quite unique and sporty, which is a complete departure from what the market has to offer.
Sharp Handler – Underpinned by a monocoque chassis, the Ather 450X is quite light on its feet. Whether filtering through narrow spaces during peak hour traffic or performing the left to right shimmy around bends, the 450X is quite flickable. And on long winding corners, the scooter maintains its composure brilliantly, courtesy of the 12-inch wheels and taut suspension setup.
Performance – EVs are known for their inconsistent performance and heating issues, with some even catching fires. But, Ather 450X is the complete opposite. During these six months of living with the 450X, the scooter had no issue when it came to its performance, range, or even software. We hardly faced any drop in performance across the riding modes, and even the true riding range was within 90-95 per cent of the claimed range.
Low Running Costs – Last but not least, one of the biggest positives of the 450X is its extremely low running cost. We are looking at a per km cost of Rs 0.30, which is almost 10 times lower than a comparable 125cc ICE scooter, considering the skyrocketing fuel prices. What’s more, an EV consists of lesser moving parts, and you don’t need to spend on things like oil, filters etc., which is a considerable saving on maintenance costs.
Charging Infrastructure – One of the biggest drawbacks of owning an EV is the limited charging infrastructure. While we had reported this as a negative in our initial reports, Ather has worked hard to change our perception. Over the course of the past six months, the company has installed two Ather Grid charging stations near my location, which has increased convenience immensely. This has also enabled me to take longer weekend trips to places like Lonavala, which was otherwise out of bounds for me.
Home charging is another option, and we have already established that 90 per cent of EV charging happens at home. You must have a dedicated charging setup at your home or office to live with an electric vehicle. But, even if a home charging setup is unavailable, Ather has you covered with its comprehensive charging infrastructure. However, you’ll have to be meticulous with your planning to charge your scooter.