Ather Energy Limited, A manufacturer of electric 2-wheelers in India released its year-end recap data for 2024, capturing various trends regarding the usage of its electric scooters across the country. The recap highlights riding behaviors across cities, with Tier 1 cities clocking lesser distances compared to multiple other cities. It also explores the adoption of Ather’s smart, connected features such as Live Location Sharing has usage in the evening hours, and sheds light on availability of charging infrastructure in the country.
In 2024, Ather Energy’s fleet of 341,113 scooters covered a remarkable 2.39 billion kilometers. This achievement saved ₹6.2 billion worth of petrol and prevented 64.84 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.
How India Rides
- Multiple Cities Outshine Tier 1 Cities: Riders in many cities covered significantly higher distances daily, averaging 33.67 km in Tiruppur, 33.50 km in Malappuram, and 33.41 km in Kozhikode, compared to 19.47 km in Bengaluru and 19.29 km in Mumbai.
- Speedier Rides in Many Cities compared to Tier 1 cities: Many cities saw higher average speeds, with riders clocking faster trips than many Tier 1 cities. For instance, the daily average speed in cities such as Aluva was 24 kmph, in Margao was 23.40 kmph, in Udupi it was 22.53 kmph and in Panaji it was 22.04 kmph. On the other hand, in cities such as Mumbai the daily average speed was 15.88 kmph and in Bengaluru it was 16.83 kmph.
- Morning vs. Evening Rush Hours: Average speeds during morning rush hours were 20% higher than evening rush hours.
- Horn usage: The quieter cities like Aizawl recorded just 2 horns per hour, while cities like Kolkata, Howrah and Attapur saw over 60 horns per hour.
Feature usage
Software features play a crucial role in the functionality of electric vehicles. To gain a deeper understanding of how these features are utilized, Ather Energy conducted an analysis over the week of November 17th to 23rd, 2024. This study revealed how riders have seamlessly integrated these features into their daily routines. Key insights from the data include:
- Navigation Usage: Interestingly, 39% more users utilize navigation for rides between 5 PM and 8 PM compared to 7 AM and 11 AM.
- AutoHoldTM is extensively utilized in cities with steep terrains, offering riders enhanced control when halting on inclines.
- Highest engagement (over 20 per hour): Kathmandu, Aizawl, and Shillong lead, with frequent usage due to their hilly landscapes.
- Lower engagement (less than or equal to 3 per hour): Cities such as Jhansi and Gwalior demonstrate minimal need for AutoHoldTM, likely due to their flatter terrain.
- Live Location Sharing: Riders are staying connected and safe Live Location Sharing. This feature is particularly active 5 PM and 8 PM, likely when everyone is heading home and sharing their whereabouts with loved ones. There are 45% more people using Live Location Sharing during this period compared to the morning period between 7 AM and 11 AM.
- Ping My Scooter: 93 percent more people used Ping My Scooter to quickly locate their parked scooters during the peak hours of 5PM – 8PM compared to the morning rush hour of 7AM – 11AM.
Ecosystem
In 2024, Ather Energy further bolstered the EV ecosystem by expanding its charging network and prioritizing user experience. A total of 799 fast chargers were added in 2024 bringing the Ather Grid network to 2,583 fast chargers nationwide.
Ather’s charging infrastructure connects metropolitan cities to various locations, such as:
● Delhi to Agra, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Chandigarh and Rohtak
● Mumbai to Lonavala, Pune and Alibaug
● Bengaluru to Nandi hills and Hosur
● Ahmedabad to Vadodara and Surat