Ather Energy, a prominent player in India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector, is making a significant investment in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar by establishing a new plant in the Bidkin Industrial Estate, part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Co-Founder, Swapnil Jain, announced the ₹2,000 crore investment, emphasizing the plant’s potential to enhance the regional EV ecosystem.
Jain highlighted that the new plant will be the largest of Ather’s facilities in India, with production expected to begin within the next one and a half to two years. Initially focusing on production, the facility will later include a Research and Development (R&D) section. The company aims to leverage the strong local vendor base, engage local ancillaries and services for sustainability, ensure fast battery charging, prioritize vehicle and battery safety, utilize the latest technology, and offer affordable two-wheelers.
Former Minister of State for Finance and Member of Parliament, Dr. Bhagwat Karad, played a crucial role in attracting this investment to Maharashtra through the Central Government’s Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM). Multiple meetings facilitated this investment, culminating in the establishment of the plant on a 100-acre site in Bidkin. The region is also attracting investments from companies like Piramal Group, Cosmos Films, and Technocraft.
CMIA President Dushyant Patil expressed satisfaction with the development, noting that the plant will create employment opportunities for 4,000 skilled and unskilled workers, benefiting the local community. Ather Energy’s Senior Vice President Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Head of Government Relations and Policy Subrata Mitra, and other CMIA officials were present at the announcement.
Swapnil Jain, an IIT Madras graduate, co-founded Ather Energy with Tarun Mehta in 2013. Despite initial challenges, the company has grown to become a pioneer in India’s EV market. Ather’s first product, the Ather 450, launched in 2018, marked a significant milestone by being the first to design and produce EV technology, including batteries and software, entirely in India. Today, Ather Energy has a presence in over 200 cities across the country. The new venture in Bidkin is expected to further solidify Ather Energy’s position in the EV market and contribute to regional economic growth.