Ather Energy is making big headlines in India this week. The Bengaluru-based electric scooter giant has launched a new road safety initiative for children while also celebrating a major business milestone—overtaking its rival Ola Electric in sales.
Here is everything you need to know about Ather’s latest moves, from distributing helmets to new tech updates for your scooter.
What is the New Safety Initiative?
On Saturday, January 24, 2026, Ather Energy partnered with the Bengaluru Traffic Police to promote safer riding habits. As part of this campaign, the company handed over 100 ISI-certified Ather Junior helmets to the police force.
These helmets are specifically designed for children. The Bengaluru Traffic Police will distribute them across the city to parents and young riders.
Why is This Important?
Road safety is a huge concern in India. According to official data, two-wheelers account for the highest number of road accident fatalities.
- Many parents ride with children but often forget that kids need helmets too.
- Ather’s “Junior” helmets are built to provide the same level of protection as adult helmets but are sized for younger passengers.
- This move aligns with the launch of their Ather Rizta, a “family scooter” designed with a large seat and safety features for riding with kids.
Ather Beats Ola Electric: A Major Market Shift
While the safety campaign is winning hearts, Ather’s sales numbers are winning the market. Recent reports from January 2026 indicate a massive shift in the Indian EV industry.
For a long time, Ola Electric was the top seller. However, data shows that Ola saw a sales decline of over 50%, allowing Ather Energy to slip ahead and claim the top spot.
- Trust Factor: Experts believe customers are shifting to Ather because of better service reliability and build quality.
- New Models: The success of the Ather Rizta (family scooter) and the sporty 450 Apex has boosted their numbers significantly.
New Tech Updates: Tamil Language Support
If you own an Ather Rizta, your scooter is getting smarter. To celebrate the festival of Pongal, Ather announced a new Over-The-Air (OTA) update.
- Regional Language: The dashboard will soon support Tamil.
- Easy Update: You do not need to visit a service center. The update will download automatically via the internet, just like a phone update.
- More Languages: Reports suggest Ather plans to add more regional Indian languages soon to make their scooters easy for everyone to use.
Corporate Updates: New Leadership
Ather is also strengthening its internal team to manage this growth. The company’s shareholders recently approved the appointment of Mr. Vivek Anand as a Non-Executive Director. This decision received over 99% approval from voters, showing that investors have strong faith in the company’s future direction.
What Happens Next?
Ather Energy is no longer just a startup; it is now a market leader.
- More Charging Stations: The company is expanding its fast-charging network (Ather Grid) to more Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- Safety First: Expect more campaigns like the Bengaluru helmet drive in other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.
- IPO Plans: After its successful listing in 2025, the company is now focused on profitability and reducing losses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Ather give helmets to the Bengaluru Police?
Ather donated 100 child helmets to promote road safety for kids. The police will distribute these to encourage parents to make their children wear helmets while riding.
2. Has Ather defeated Ola Electric in sales?
Yes. In January 2026, reports confirmed that Ather Energy overtook Ola Electric in sales, as Ola faced a significant drop in demand.
3. What is the new update for Ather Rizta?
Ather is rolling out a software update that adds the Tamil language to the scooter’s dashboard screen. This was announced around the Pongal festival.
4. Is the Ather Junior helmet free?
The 100 helmets given to the police were a donation for awareness. However, you can buy Ather Junior helmets from their official experience centers.
5. Is Ather Energy a listed company?
Yes, Ather Energy launched its IPO (Initial Public Offering) in 2025 and is now a publicly traded company on the stock market.