Ather Energy has announced its plans to enter the international market with the export of its flagship model, the 450X, to Nepal. Ather will establish its first global footprint by partnering with Vaidya Energy, a subsidiary of Vaidya’s Organization of Industries & Trading Houses (VOITH), a leading industrial conglomerate in Nepal, with the opening of its Experience Centre in Kathmandu in November this year.
The plans to export the Ather 450X also comes at a time when Nepal is shifting towards clean mobility options. A relatively smaller market than its larger neighbours like India and China, Nepal, however, presents a very promising proposition for companies like Ather to understand new markets in terms of product performance and acceptability.
The partnership between Ather Energy and Vaidya Energy will redefine the electric two-wheeler market in Nepal by making high-performance EVs more accessible to Nepalese consumers. As a part of the association, Vaidya Energy will facilitate the sales and service of Ather products in Nepal.
Over the years, Ather Energy has made strategic investments towards creating a favourable ecosystem to facilitate a stress-free transition to EVs. The company will retain the same philosophy while expanding its retail operations in Nepal. Vaidya Energy will also set up fast-charging stations, Ather Grids, as part of this partnership to alleviate range anxiety.
Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather, said “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 of market creation, we will also roll out our public fast-charging infrastructure, which has proven to be a huge differentiator for us in India.”
Commenting on the partnership with Ather, Suryansh Vaidya, CEO, Vaidya Energy said, “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 in premium mobility solutions with their cutting-edge electric vehicle technology, setting the stage for an entirely new level of excitement in the realm of mobility.”
He added, “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.”
Vaidya Energy is part of Vaidya’s Organization of Industries & Trading Houses, which is today one of the most dynamic business houses in Nepal, with an interest in trading houses, industrial enterprises, services, construction and education. 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.
As part of its international expansion, Ather will be introducing its flagship 450X model, now available with two battery options: 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh, catering to a wider range of preferences.
Source: Financial Express