Ather Energy launched its new family-oriented scooter, the Rizta, alongside its first smart helmet, the Halo, at a ‘Meet Rizta’ event in Kolkata. The event offered attendees a firsthand look at the Rizta and a chance to explore Ather's experience zones, showcasing the brand's technological advancements and design philosophy.

“Our 450 series scooters, known for their performance, have been well-received by Kolkata customers," said Chief Business Officer Ravneet Singh Phokela. “With the Rizta, we're catering to the family scooter segment as it boasts a comfortable and spacious seat, ample storage and safety features, making it ideal for families. It offers a smooth ride experience and easy navigation through Kolkata's busy streets and narrow lanes,” he added.

Ather established itself in the local market with high-performance models like the 450X and 450S. Rizta marks the company's foray into the family two-wheeler market. It comes in two models namely, Rizta S and Rizta Z, with three variants. Both models feature a 2.9 kWh battery, while the top-tier Rizta Z model is equipped with a 3.7 kWh battery.

The 2.9 kWh variants offer a predicted IDC range of 123 km, while the 3.7 kWh variant provides an impressive 159 km range. The Rizta S is available in three monotone colours, while the Rizta Z is offered in seven colours including three monotone and four dual-tone options.

All variants share a top speed of 80 kmph and offer two riding modes namely, Zip and SmartEco. Rizta inherits several ride-assist features from the 450 series including MagicTwist (throttle-controlled acceleration and deceleration), AutoHold (scooter hold on slopes) and reverse mode.

The electric scooter boasts one of the largest and most comfortable seats in the market and offers 56 litres of storage space, including a 34-litre underseat capacity and an optional 22-litre frunk accessory. The large floorboard provides ample leg space for the rider.

Taking cognisance of safety, Rizta has been equipped with SkidControl, a proprietary traction control system that optimises motor torque to prevent slippage on low-grip surfaces. Additional safety features include fallsafe, an emergency stop signal, theft and tow detection and a ‘Ping My Scooter’ function.

Ather has a strong presence in India with over 200 experience centres nationwide including four in West Bengal. Additionally, they boast over 1900 fast-charging stations (Ather Grids) across the country with 27 currently operational in West Bengal.

Ather also showcased the Halo, a technologically advanced smart helmet featuring Harman Kardon audio. It boasts a seamless user experience with features like proprietary auto-wear detection technology, wireless charging and handlebar controls for music and calls. The Halo helmet also features Ather ChitChat, enabling helmet-to-helmet communication between rider and pillion. It comes in two colours and sports a sleek, futuristic design.

All Rizta variants are eligible for Ather's optional five-year warranty programme called the Ather Battery Protect, which extends the battery warranty to five years or 60,000 km. This programme covers battery failures and guarantees a minimum of 70 percent battery health after five years.

For home charging, the Rizta S and Z with a 2.9 kWh battery come with a 350W Ather portable charger. The top-end Rizta Z with a 3.7 kWh battery gets the new 700W Ather Duo charger.

Rizta S with a 2.9 kWh battery starts at INR 111,469 (ex-showroom Kolkata), while Rizta Z with 2.9 kWh and 3.7 kWh batteries are priced at INR 126,469 and INR 146,469 (ex-showroom Kolkata), respectively. 

JSW MG Motor India is set to expand its EV portfolio with the MG Windsor Pro, which is set to be introduced on 6 May 2025.

The MG Windsor Pro is expected to offer a higher range, more features, improved safety and minor design tweaks. While technical details are yet to be released, it is safe to understand that the company is looking to further drive sales of its popular EV, targeting a new set of customers.

Launched on 11 September 2024, the company positioned the Windsor as a CUV (crossover utility vehicle) and the most comfortable EV in its segment.

The Windsor EV has already surpassed 20,000 units sales since launch, and has been the highest selling electric passenger vehicle for the last several months in a row.

Gujarat-headquartered electric vehicle maker Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, the maker of ‘Joy e-bike’ and ‘Joy e-rik’ brand, has reported a consolidated net profit of INR 63.6 million for FY2025, maintaining profitability for the fifth consecutive year despite industry headwinds and a 5.1 percent drop in annual revenue.

The company’s total consolidated revenue stood at INR 3.04 billion, down from INR 3.2 billion last year. However, EBITDA rose 13.9 percent YoY to INR 3.6 billion, and EBITDA margins improved by 222 basis points to 12.11 percent, reflecting strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.

Despite a 52.7 percent YoY dip in PAT, largely due to a high base in FY2024, Wardwizard remained in the black – underscoring resilience amid a challenging EV market environment.

Yatin Sanjay Gupte, Chairman & MD, Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, said, “While annual revenues saw a slight decline, EBITDA rose 14 percent YoY. Our profitable performance, sustained for five consecutive years, sets us apart and reinforces the strength of our strategy.”

In Q4 FY25 (Jan–Mar 2025), the company recorded a 62.2 percent YoY rise in PAT to INR 64.5 million, with EBITDA nearly doubling to INR 1.8 billion. PAT margins for the quarter expanded to 5.91 percent, and EBITDA margins reached 17.26 percent, reflecting improved product mix and cost optimisation.

During the last fiscal, the company deployed over 400 electric two-wheelers across major cities like Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad as well as the launch of L5 electric rickshaws in Maharashtra. Ongoing partnerships and a USD 1.29 billion EV initiative in the Philippines are expected to drive future growth.

“With continued innovation and targeted execution, we are building a stronger foundation for long-term growth,” Gupte added.

OPG Mobility (formerly Okaya EV) has appointed Ajay Dhiman as the new President – Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead its electric vehicle and EV components business.

In this strategic leadership role, Dhiman will be responsible for operations and technology functions spanning manufacturing, R&D, product development, quality, sourcing, supply chain and business strategy.

He joins OPG Mobility with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and EV sectors. He previously served as Senior Vice-President at Revolt Motors, where he is said to play a key role across CXO-level functions and was instrumental in accelerating product development and delivering high-quality electric mobility solutions. His career includes leadership stints at Honda, Renault-Nissan, Subros and Sonalika Group, contributing across two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and four-wheeler segments.

Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, OPG Mobility, said, “We are delighted to have Ajay Dhiman join our leadership team at a pivotal moment in OPG Mobility's journey. As we step up our presence in the EV ecosystem, Ajay’s deep experience in product development and operations will be invaluable in scaling our EV and components business. His thorough knowledge of both legacy systems and new mobility technologies will drive value, innovation, and faster execution across our transformation journey.”

Ajay Dhiman, added, “It’s an honour to join OPG Mobility at such a transformative time. The brand’s vision of delivering inclusive and innovative electric mobility solutions aligns strongly with my passion for engineering excellence, innovative products and future-focused manufacturing. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and teams to strengthen our product pipeline, accelerate product innovation, strengthen our technological edge, enhance operational excellence, and scale solutions that support India’s evolving mobility needs. We aim to position OPG Mobility as a frontrunner in shaping India’s electric mobility revolution.”

The Maharashtra government has given rolled out the Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 for a period of five years (till 2030) with an estimated outlay of INR 19.93 billion.

The forward-looking policy aims to not only incentivise purchase of electric vehicles, but also aims to boost adoption and real-world usage.

As per the policy, certain EVs plying on highways will be given a toll waiver, EV charging infrastructure strengthened with an ambition have charging facilities every 25km on the national highways.

Electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, private four-wheelers, state transport corporation buses, private buses and transport undertaking under civic bodies will get concession of 10 percent on purchase of an EV on the original cost. For goods carrying three-wheelers, four-wheelers and electric tractors will be eligible to a concession of 15 percent.

The government has also waived off registration fee on EVs. Lastly, electric four-wheelers and buses will also get toll exemption on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu, Samruddhi Mahamarg, along with 50 percent concession on state and other national highways.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "The state government has approved a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, under which passenger EVs will be given subsidies. EV manufacturing and their use should increase in the state."