FAME II subsidy makes Ather 450 cheaper by Rs 5,000

Bangalore-based EV startup Ather Energy, had launched the country's first smart electric scooters - the 340 and the 450 for a price of Rs 109,750 and Rs 124,750 respectively, on June 5, 2018. These on-road prices included Rs 22,000 subsidy, road tax, registration card and insurance.

On March 1, 2019 the government approved the second phase of FAME scheme with a budget outlay of around Rs 10,000 crore for a period of three years. With the FAME II scheme having a higher focus on energy efficient electric two-wheelers, Ather Energy says its flagship model the 450 is able to meet the new criteria, and thus will get an increased subsidy of Rs 27,000.

The company says though orders for the scooter have continued in Bangalore through April, deliveries had been held off by the company so the new subsidy benefit could be passed on to the owners. The consumers can expect Ather 450s to start being delivered in the next couple of weeks, with the new on road price of Rs 123,230.

As is known the company aims to set up its charging network - Ather Grid - before expanding its presence. And starting next month (June) the Ather 450 and Ather Grid will be available in Chennai, which will be followed by more cities in the coming year. The company says it will install 6,500 charging points across the country and will be operational in 30 cities by 2023.

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