URBAN WARRIORS

The Ather 450X and Simple One offer two different takes on the sporty electric scooter – here's how they compare where it matters most.

- WORDS MANDAR SAWANT

The Ather 450 is a near-perfect urban electric scooter, honed through the years and backed by hundreds of thousands of users across the country.

It delivers where it matters most, combining practicality, reliability and genuinely engaging performance. But the real kicker is how much fun it is to ride — it’s blessed with brilliant dynamics. That’s one of the reasons why it sits among India’s bestselling electric scooters and has become the yardstick against which every new electric scooter is measured, especially the sportier ones.

Enter the Simple One — a new (sort of, more on that later) sporty electric scooter that wants a piece of the pie and is aimed squarely at the Ather, along with the rest of the electric scooter pack. It brings a few unique features and ideas to the table. So, is it one to seriously consider, or should you simply put your hard-earned money on the veteran of the lot? I’ve spent time with both to find the answer.

Design, plus fit-and-finish

We'll start with the styling, because the contrast here is hard to miss. The Ather 450 may be an eight-year-old design, but even today — despite there being hundreds of them on the road — it still manages to look fresh and futuristic. The sharp lines, clean surfacing and vibrant colour options ensure it continues to turn heads without trying too hard.

The Simple, however, plays in an entirely different visual league. If you think the Ather looks futuristic, the Simple cranks that dial all the way up. It’s sharper, more angular and noticeably larger, which gives it a far stronger road presence. Add the fact that it’s still a rare sight, and it ends up grabbing attention wherever it goes. People often mistake it for a new Ather variant at first, but almost always pause for a second glance to figure out exactly what it is.