The Science of Silence

The updated Ather 450X Gen 3 is here to perfect the inner-city commute.

- PARTH CHARAN

THERE'S NO MISTAKING that peculiar electronic whistle that an Ather scooter leaves in its wake. It's a sound we should all get used to because, according to the brand, electric scooters will be the norm by 2027. In fact, the statistics are pretty encouraging even today; one in every ten scooters in the country is electric. The number would be higher were it not for the massive chip shortage that's left the sector with a supply crunch. Still, as far as Ather is concerned, the numbers are pretty solid. Since June 2021, the brand has experienced 800 percent growth, going from selling 300-odd scooters a month to over 3,300 scooters. And it's done this on the back of its flagship product: the Ather 450X.

There's a new one out now-except it's a lot like the old one. At least on the surface. Given that the competition has upped the ante, at least on the power front, the third-generation 450X now has to pack a bit more power, more range, a smoother interface, and better thermal management to qualify as the country's best-performing e-scooter.