I’ve been using the Ather 450X since January 9, 2023. Over time, we’ve shared a few blog articles covering its performance during various intervals. I hope you’ve had a chance to check those out. Let’s check out the Ather 450X Ownership Cost after 2 years and 6 months of use.
In this article, we won’t dive into the pros and cons of the scooter—that’s already been covered in earlier videos. Instead, we’ll focus purely on the costs incurred during this period. I’ve been tracking all expenses in a Google Sheet for accurate analysis.
Let’s break down the Ather 450X Ownership Cost after 2.5 years of use. I hope this helps you make an informed decision about going electric.
#1. Initial Cost
The on-road price of my Ather 450X was ₹1,73,100. I spent an additional ₹925 on accessories—a seat cover and foot mat.
Later, the company refunded ₹19,975 for the home charger, following government regulations.
So, the total initial cost came down to ₹1,54,050.
#2. Running Costs – Charging & Maintenance
This is where owning an EV really shines.
In 30 months, I’ve ridden 38,930 km, averaging 1,297 km per month.
To calculate charging costs, I made a few reasonable assumptions:
- Charging efficiency: 92.5%, so charging a 3.7 kWh battery consumes 4 kWh
- Range per full charge: 90 km
- Electricity cost: ₹7 per unit
Based on this, the electricity cost to cover that distance came to ₹12,111.
I also used Ather Grid fast charging a few times, totaling ₹86, bringing the overall charging cost to ₹12,197.
Periodic service every 5,000 km—including a belt replacement—cost me ₹11,187.
Tire replacements:
- Rear tire: once (lasts ~10,000 km)
- Front tire: thrice (lasts ~30,000 km)
Tire costs totaled ₹6,190, plus ₹60 for air filling—which I later avoided by switching to petrol pump air stations.
Total running cost: ₹29,634
#3. Additional Expenses
After one year, Ather made the Connect feature a paid service. To use mobile integration and navigation, I subscribed for ₹1,999.
I also renewed my own-damage insurance, since the OEM-provided third-party policy is valid until 2028, but own-damage cover was only for one year. Renewal cost: ₹1,535.
Total additional expenses: ₹3,534
Total Ownership Cost (30 months): ₹1,87,218
If we average that over 30 months:
- Monthly running cost (charging + maintenance): ₹988
- Electricity-only cost per month: ₹404
Please note: This doesn’t factor in depreciation, inflation, or resale value—since I plan to keep the scooter long-term.
One future cost to consider is battery replacement. Ather provides a 5-year or 60,000 km warranty, including protection against capacity fading. I expect to hit the 60,000 km mark before 5 years.
Comparison with a Petrol Scooter
We’ve seen the actual cost of owning the Ather 450X. Now let’s estimate the cost for a petrol scooter over the same period and usage.
Assumptions:
- Initial free services are counted as ₹0 for the best-case scenario
- Tires replaced at ~30,000 km
- Regular service at every 4,000 km: ₹479
- Oil change every 3,000 km: ₹500
- Other expenses like mechanical failures and insurance are ignored for simplicity
- Petrol price: ₹108/litre
- Mileage: 50 km/litre
Estimated total ownership cost (2.5 years): ₹2,20,141
This results in:
- Monthly running cost: ₹3,171
- Monthly fuel-only cost: ₹2,802
Conclusion
We’ve covered the actual ownership cost of the Ather 450X over 2.5 years, along with an estimated comparison to a petrol scooter.
It’s clear the electric scooter offers significantly lower running and ownership costs—though results will vary slightly depending on usage.
When deciding between an EV and an ICE scooter, consider factors like travel pattern, performance, and overall costs.
I hope this article helps you make the right decision based on what matters most to you.
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