A video of an Ather Energy electric scooter owner pushing a Tata Nexon EV SUV on a bridge has gone viral on X (formerly Twitter). The video was shared by Ather Energy, a Bengaluru-based electric scooter maker, on their official X account. The video demonstrates the instant torque available in electric vehicles, which can be used to move heavy vehicles from a standstill. It also shows the spirit of unity and cooperation among electric vehicle owners in India.
How did it happen?
The video was originally posted by a user named V. S. Sunil on X, who claimed to be the owner of the Ather Energy scooter. He said that he saw a Tata Nexon EV driver in trouble on the bridge and decided to help him out. He balanced his right leg on the SUV’s tailgate and used his scooter’s power to push the SUV forward. He said that he was able to do this because of the impressive torque of his scooter, which is around 26 Nm.
The video has received over 1.5 million views and thousands of likes and comments on X. Many users praised the Ather Energy scooter owner for his kind gesture and his scooter’s performance. Some users also joked about the situation and asked if the Tata Nexon EV driver had run out of battery or if he was saving fuel.
What are the features of Ather Energy scooters?
Ather Energy is one of the leading electric scooter manufacturers in India. It currently offers two models: the flagship Ather 450X and the recently launched Ather 450S. Both models have gained popularity in the Indian market for their features and performance.
The Ather 450X is powered by a belt drive motor that delivers a peak power of 7.24 bhp and a torque of 22 Nm. It has a top speed of 90 kmph in Sport mode and can accelerate from 0 to 40 kmph in 3.3 seconds. It has a 2.9 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers an ARAI-certified range of 115 km on a full charge. The scooter also has a smart dashboard that displays various information and allows navigation, music, calls, and other functions.
The Ather 450S is a slightly lower variant of the Ather 450X, with a reduced top speed of 80 kmph and a lower range of 85 km. However, it has the same motor, battery, and dashboard as the Ather 450X. The Ather 450S is priced at Rs 1.27 lakh (ex-showroom), while the Ather 450X is priced at Rs 1.35 lakh (ex-showroom).
What are the challenges faced by electric vehicle owners in India?
While electric vehicles are gaining popularity in India, they still face some challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure, high upfront cost, low awareness, and range anxiety. Range anxiety is the fear of running out of battery before reaching the destination or finding a charging station.
According to a report by BloombergNEF, India had only about 1,800 public charging stations for electric vehicles as of March 2021, compared to over 6 lakh petrol pumps. This poses a problem for electric vehicle owners who travel long distances or in remote areas.
To overcome this challenge, some initiatives have been taken by the government, private companies, and startups to increase the availability and accessibility of charging stations for electric vehicles. For example, Tata Power has installed over 500 public charging points across India and plans to expand to over 700 by March 2022. Ather Energy has also set up its own network of fast charging stations called Ather Grid, which are available for free for all electric vehicle users till March 2022.
What is the future of electric vehicles in India?
Despite the challenges, electric vehicles have a bright future in India, as they offer many benefits such as lower emissions, lower running cost, higher efficiency, and better performance. According to a report by CEEW Centre for Energy Finance, electric vehicles could account for over 40% of new vehicle sales in India by 2030, if supported by favourable policies and incentives.
The government has also taken several steps to promote electric mobility in India, such as reducing GST on electric vehicles from 12% to 5%, offering subsidies under the FAME II scheme, mandating green number plates for electric vehicles, and launching the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan.
The video of an Ather Energy scooter owner helping a stranded Tata Nexon EV driver shows that electric vehicles are not only powerful and capable, but also foster a sense of community and solidarity among their users. It also highlights the need for more awareness and infrastructure for electric mobility in India.
