Ather Rizta: For years, Ather Energy was the company people thought of if they were in the market for a premium, tech-heavy electric scooter like the 450X — sleek, sporty electric vehicles intended for a young urban commuters.
But now, in a pleasant change of direction, Ather has released something totally different: the Ather Rizta, or its first family-oriented electric scooter.
And it’s not a hairier version of its previous models — it’s a radically different approach to how EVs should suit Indian households.
So is the Ather Rizta just an electric scooter with a larger seat or does it truly stand out in a range crowded by the TVS iQube and Ola S1 Air? Let’s break it down.
Design: Practical Over Flashy
Just take one look at the Ather Rizta and you know — it’s designed for families, not to race in between traffic lights.
It has abandoned the angular, athletic shape of the 450 series in exchange for a rounded, amiable countenance.
The seat is broad and even fits 2 adults with a child in the center. The flat floorboard is relatively commodious — you can fit in shopping bags, school bags and even your monthly sabzi haul.
Ather also comes in several colours including some tongue-in-cheek pastels to satisfy contemporary as well as classic tastes, but only in India.
This isn’t a look-at-me scooter, though — it subtly gets its point across with function-driven design.
Performance: Smooth, Steady and Smart
The Rizta is available in a number of iterations, one being the Rizta S and the Rizta Z, equipped with a 2.9 kWh or 3.7 kWh battery respectively.
Despite experiencing some flattening in the meadowy early-morning light, by various estimates you should be able to get 90-120 km of real-world range out of the thing, or enough to get on and off at more than a few commutes, school or grocery runs.
There will be a top speed of 80 km/h, and while that’s not electrifying, I have no issue with that at all – smooth and predictable, is exactly what you want when you have a pillion or kiddie on the back.
The Eco and Ride modes offer maximum efficiency and the Warp mode (the latter is available only on peak trims) provides an extra burst of acceleration when necessary.
Features: Smart, But Not Too Smart
Other specs: AtherStack 6.0 is the name of Ather’s OS on the Rizta. Powering a 7-inch touchscreen dashboard (only in the Z variant) that shows turn-by-turn navigation, Bluetooth control of music and ride statistics.
You also have AutoHold, reverse-assist and FallSafe, which kills the power if the scooter falls over (perfect for families that are worried about safety).
What’s even better? Coasting Regen, a smart feature that provides smoother deceleration, and extends range by not relying on the brake pedal alone.
It’s thoughtful considerations like these that demonstrate that Ather isn’t just going through the process, it’s actually thinking about real-world users.
Riding Comfort: Made for Indian Roads
The suspension is compliant and handles potholes and speed bumps with big gulps of compliance.
The 12 inch wheels with wider tyres give more stability as compared to the 450X, particularly when loaded fully.
Front disc and rear drum brakes get the job done decently in city conditions.
Another major pro is the storage. You have 34 liters of underseat space, which should fit two half-face helmets, and you can add optional extras like a frunk (front trunk) for additional capacity.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Family friendly and spacious-component design
Decent range with a choice of batteries
Packed with useful, non-gimmicky tech
Smooth and consistent ride stability
Underseat storage room and accessories
Cons:
Not as sporty or speedy as some competitors
They are expensive in their top avatars
No support for fast-charging on base model
Not everyone will appreciate the looks
Supply may be limited at first in smaller towns
Ather Rizta: Verdict: A Family Scooter That Actually Nails It
Ather has ventured out of comfort zone and nailed it with the Rizta. It’s not simply a smaller version of their performance scooters; it’s a carefully thought-out electric vehicle for Indian families, who demand comfort, safety, space, and reliability.
If you’re fed up spending money on petrol and looking to move to zero-emission electricity, and need a bike that will suit everyone in the household without you feeling you’re sacrificing tech or ride quality or brand trust, the Ather Rizta is hands down one of the smartest buys available today.