Ather 450X Ownership Review

Ather is an Indian brand, manufacturing EV mopeds in India. Their range include 450 series and Rizta series. Ather is a brand developed in India with focus on Indian conditions and consumers preference. It targets all the age groups and attracts youngsters to elders.

Ather 450X comes with a 3.7 kWh battery pack which delivers real life range of around 90-100 kms and a motor of 6.4 kW. It goes from 0-40 in 3.3 seconds. Comes with various modes such as Eco, City, Sports and Wrap™️.

Ownership review :

I’ve been driving Ather 450x for almost 4+ years now. Bought in September 2021. On the odometer it has clocked almost 30,000 kms. So here’s my ownership review about it.

Performance : If I had to describe it in one word it’s “Mindblowing”. The way it picks up the pace is just fantastic. Coming from ICE vehicles, this was something very new for me. This was my first EV. When I took the test drive it brought me extreme joy and I had made my mind all I want is this no other scooty.

In Economy it picks up slow pace which minimises battery consumption and maximises range.

While in city mode, it increases the power a bit, and adjusts the power setting as needed in city to drive around best for city traffic as well. It focuses on balancing range while giving the power delivery required.

Sports Mode : Fun to drive around gives you instant power delivery and pull. Attracts most of the young people who loves to swirl around with the scooty. Focus is on maximising the fun while driving the scooty.

Wrap™️ Mode : Ather’s finest and the most quickest mode. Wrap mode, it gives maximum power while compromising on the range. Late for the office? No problem switch to Wrap mode. The instant power and pull, not only gives you thrills but also pulls you back in the seat. This mode is made for the GenZ and Youngsters who wish to flaunt their EV’s in front of their friends and want to experience what EV’s can deliver.

I never had any issue with Ather’s performance. I’ve had used all the modes and I’m nearing 30,000 kms just a few hundred left. Bought Ather in 2021 when it wasn’t available anywhere in Gujarat. Bought from only store in Ahmedabad shipped back to my city and since then never had to look back or regret on my decision. It gave me fun and memories to now father using it and denying to provide it back since he’s addicted to EV’s.

Range :

Typical range we get with our Ather 450X is around 90-95 kms.

Now here is where story gets interesting, I figured out a hack. We always drive in sports mode and drive normally like we drive in economy mode. This not only saves the battery but maximises range and also gives instant power when needed just a throttle away. That is how we get 90-95 kms.

But if I breakdown range on basis of modes (Approximate range by utilising the modes properly).

Economy mode : 75-80 kms

City mode : 65-70 kms

Sports mode : 55-60 kms (however depending on my driving style I get range upto 85-90+ kms)

Wrap™️ mode : 50 kms.

Service experience :

In the past 4+ years of ownership, I got my service done thrice.

While standard service comes at 5000 kms, I got done at every 10k kms. The staff is well trained and behaves very properly. Everytime my service cost has been done under INR 1,000 (includes washing). Till date, no parts have been changed except for brake pads which costed me around 700-800 for a set.

Once when I was in Ahmedabad and the scooty was newly bought, someone broke the front plastic panel which is below the speedometer display. A crack was visible, took it to the nearest service center and they saw it and instantly the manager gave me a date, I visited on that date and to my surprise he changed it free of cost. Their customer service is remarkably reliable and good.

Another time due to some reason my Ather was not charging. Called their customer care, they arranged a flat bed, the person came in 1 hour, very professional, took the vehicle dropped it at the service center and next day morning I received a call and they described the issue and what had to be done. I approved and by evening the scooty was delivered. Again nothing to be paid all covered by Ather.

Areas of Improvement :

Quality of brake pads : Brake pads gets worn out too early. I changed my brake pads like in 3000-4000 kms! (To add : This was due to monsoon season and me taking Ather into deep waters).

Economy mode could be improved with a bit of power delivery. Feels too light and the gap between city mode and economy mode is like you can feel it.

Overall experience : If I had to buy another scooty for myself, I would opt for Ather eyes closed. This has to be the best decision I’ve taken. 30,000 kms so far with no issues at all and whenever I drive, it brings in a smile on my face.

Definitely I would recommend Ather if I had to pick an EV again.

Disclaimer : I do not encourage rash or dangerous driving. Drive responsibly and safely while following all the rules and regulations.