Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has reached a significant milestone by opening over 500 Experience Centres (EC) across the country. In just the last three months, the company added 101 new centres, with a strong focus on expanding its presence in central and northern India.

The company's rapid expansion is largely driven by the growing demand for its electric scooters, particularly the new Rizta, Ather's first family-oriented scooter. While southern India remains Ather’s strongest market, the success of the Rizta has accelerated its growth in new regions.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Crossing 500 Experience Centres marks an important step in our growth journey, as we continue to expand our presence in line with rising demand across markets. While South India continues to be our strongest base, where we are steadily growing, the success of Rizta has also helped us fast-track expansion in Middle and North India. This growth is not confined to metros alone. We are also building deeper into tier 2 and 3 cities, where consumer response has been equally encouraging. As we continue to scale, our focus remains on making Ather accessible to more customers across India, with the aim of crossing 700 Experience Centres by the end of FY26.”

Going forward, Ather aims to have over 700 Experience centres by the end of fiscal year 2026 to make its vehicles more accessible to a wider audience. The company is not only expanding its retail footprint but also its service network, including dedicated Ather Gold service centres.

The EV maker’s market share has grown from 7.6 percent in Q1 FY2025, to 14.3 percent in Q1 FY2026.

To support its ambitious growth, Ather operates two manufacturing plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and is building a third facility in Maharashtra that will increase its total annual production capacity to 1.42 million electric two-wheelers.

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Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has marked its entry into the e-rickshaw category with the launch of the Bajaj Riki.

The company noted that while demand for last-mile mobility is increasing, the e-rickshaw sector remains unorganised and faces issues with reliability, durability and safety. Bajaj Riki is designed to address these gaps.

The vehicle offers features intended to enhance driver earnings and passenger experience. It comes with a claimed range of 149 km (P4005 model). Monocoque chassis for rigidity and stability, while hydraulic braking offers better safety. It features independent suspension to improve comfort and stability. The e-3W can be fast charged in 4.5 hours and comes with a 3-year battery warranty.

Samardeep Subandh, President, Intra-City Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “Riki brings Bajaj Auto’s trusted 3W engineering and dependability into the electric rickshaw segment at a time when drivers and passengers need dependable solutions. We’ve brought the best for the industry, the longest range, a monocoque chassis, independent suspension, and hydraulic brakes. Riki is engineered to increase driver earnings, enhance passenger safety and comfort and deliver the reliability India’s last-mile ecosystem has waited for.”

The Bajaj Riki is available in both passenger and cargo versions:

Passenger Model (Riki P4005): The first model in the P40 series, featuring a 5.4 kWh battery and is priced at INR 190,890 (ex-showroom). The Cargo Model (Riki C4005) comes with a certified range of 164 km, a larger tray and 28 percent gradability for operation on slopes. It is priced at INR 200,876 (ex-showroom).

Bajaj Auto stated that the Riki has been successfully piloted in Patna, Moradabad, Guwahati and Raipur, and will now expand to over 100 towns across UP, Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh and Assam in Phase 1.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra has inaugurated its new Charge_IN ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network, which consists solely of 180 kW chargers.

The company aims to set up 1,000 charging points across 250 stations by the end of 2027.

The first two Charge_IN stations have already been opened at Hoskote on the Bengaluru – Chennai highway (NH 75) and Murthal on NH44, near Delhi. Both sites include two ultra-fast chargers, capable of charging four EVs at once.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “Electric mobility is about driving a larger shift towards cleaner, sustainable transportation. XEV 9e and BE 6, with their impressive 500 km real-world range, ensure drivers feel confident on long journeys. Meanwhile, with our ultrafast charging network by Charge_IN we will be creating an open and accessible network for all EV users. Our aim is to make long-distance travel with an electric vehicle effortless and reliable like conventional driving, thereby building customer confidence and accelerating India's transition to electric mobility.”

The 180 kW dual gun chargers can charge Mahindra's eSUV portfolio (XEV 9e, BE 6, and the upcoming XEV 9S) from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. These charging stations will be positioned along major highway corridors and near customer traffic points, co-located with wayside amenities like restaurants and cafes.

Mahindra EV owners can use the Me4U app to discover, charge and pay. Through this app, customers currently access approximately 34,000 public charging points from various operators.

Non-Mahindra EV users can access the stations via the ‘Charge_IN by Mahindra’ app and through other leading aggregator platforms.

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At the Agrovision 2025 exhibition in Nagpur, Mahindra & Mahindra, the world’s leading tractor manufacturer by volume, presented a series of pioneering alternative fuel technologies, signalling a major shift towards sustainable farm mechanisation. The event was attended by prominent government figures, including Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, underscoring the national importance of these agricultural innovations.

The showcased technologies, developed at the company’s Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai, highlight a strategic commitment to reducing emissions and lowering operating costs for farmers. One prominent innovation is a tractor based on the Yuvo Tech+ platform, engineered to operate on either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Compressed Biogas (CBG), as well as in a dual-fuel mode combining diesel with CNG. This provides a practical and cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.

Further advancing its portfolio, Mahindra unveiled an Ethanol Flex Fuel engine. This power unit is designed for flexibility, capable of running on ethanol produced from a variety of farm-sourced materials such as sugarcane, maize and crop waste. This not only offers a sustainable fuel alternative but also creates potential new revenue streams for the agricultural community.

Completing the trio of new technologies was an Electric Tractor built upon Mahindra’s global OJA platform. This model promises significantly reduced operating expenses while delivering instant torque and enhanced efficiency. Its design includes the convenience of fast-charging capabilities, addressing the need for practicality in daily farm operations.

Beyond these alternative fuel prototypes, Mahindra also displayed its comprehensive lineup of conventional, fuel-efficient diesel tractors and farm implements from both the Mahindra and Swaraj brands. This collective display positions Mahindra at the forefront of the industry's move towards a net-zero future. By investing in a diverse range of solutions including electric, biogas and ethanol technologies, the company is championing a sustainable and economically viable pathway for Indian agriculture, aiming to make farming both more profitable and environmentally responsible.

Veejay Nakra – President, Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Mahindra is committed to leading India’s shift to alternate fuel technologies and driving cleaner, smarter and sustainable farming solutions. Our presence at Agrovision 2025 underscores this commitment as we showcase innovative tractors and technologies that will shape the future of Indian agriculture, aligned with the Government of India’s vision towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has launched the Rizta in Sri Lanka at the Colombo Motor Show 2025. This move, in partnership with Evolution Auto (Ather’s distributor in Sri Lanka), marks a step in Ather’s international growth strategy.

It was in December 2024, Ather Energy began its operations in Sri Lanka in December 2024 with the Ather 450X. The company has established a footprint with 40 Experience Centres run by Evolution Auto. Additionally, the EV maker has installed Ather Grid fast chargers to support EV ownership in the country.

The Rizta has now been introduced following the response to the Ather 450 line-up. The Rizta provides a seat and a 34-litre under-seat storage capacity. It also features a floorboard with leg space. The scooter includes features such as SkidControl for safety, a 7-inch TFT display dashboard, and connected capabilities like Google Maps navigation and music and call control (available with Rizta Z).

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Since entering Sri Lanka last year, it has quickly become a growing market for us, and expanding our portfolio here with the Rizta felt like the natural next step. The Rizta has seen strong acceptance in India for over a year and more recently in Nepal, and we believe it is well-suited for the needs of Sri Lankan riders as well. Its focus on safety and connected capabilities makes it a practical choice for everyday use. With this launch, we aim to deepen our presence in Sri Lanka and continue strengthening the EV ecosystem there."

Ather entered its first international market, Nepal, in November 2023, where it has expanded to 9 Experience Centres and 7 Service Centres. Sri Lanka became the second international market in December 2024. In India, as of 30th September 2025, Ather's retail network included 524 Experience Centres and 3,643 Ather grid fast-charging stations.

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