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Ather Energy Limited has expanded its Product Testing & Validation Centre, 'The Juggernaut', in Bengaluru, further strengthening its research and development (R&D) capabilities for electric two-wheelers. The facility now spans 38,692 square feet and is designed to enhance product quality, reliability, and performance, while accelerating the development process.
The upgraded center features specialized laboratories for structural durability, battery testing, electrical and electronics reliability, and vehicle environment testing. A major highlight of the facility is the 4 DOF Road Simulator, capable of compressing a 100,000 km endurance test into just 15 days, a process that would typically take 10 years on actual roads.
Speaking on the expansion, Swapnil Jain, Co-founder and CTO of Ather Energy, said, "EVs are radically different from ICE vehicles and require extensive testing of all components. The expansion of The Juggernaut allows us to scale up our testing capacity, accelerating innovation and product development."
The facility conducts rigorous battery validation, including thermal performance tests, water wading tests, drop tests, vibration and thermal cycling tests. According to the company, Ather's battery packs undergo 272 tests and are IPX7 waterproof and AIS 156 compliant, ensuring high safety and durability standards.
As of December 31, 2024, Ather had performed 4,535 unique tests to validate its electric two-wheelers. The company invested ₹2,388 million in R&D, accounting for 15% of its revenue from operations, with 46% of its workforce dedicated to research and innovation.
Ather Energy operates three R&D facilities in Bengaluru, one of which is recognized as an in-house R&D unit by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). The company follows the Ather Product Development System, which mandates eight quality reviews before launching any product.
Ather manufactures two electric scooters – Ather 450 and Rizta, targeting the performance and convenience segments. The company was also the first in India's EV two-wheeler industry to introduce touchscreen dashboards with navigation, internet connectivity, and cloud integration.
Ather currently has two manufacturing plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu—one dedicated to vehicle assembly and the other for battery production. Additionally, a third facility is under development in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, further expanding its production capacity.
