Introduction: A New Era for Indian Mobility
India’s electric vehicle revolution has a name — Tarun Mehta. As the co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, Mehta is leading the charge toward clean, connected, and intelligent urban mobility. His story isn’t just about building scooters. It’s about crafting a smarter, sustainable India—one electric ride at a time.
The Early Days: From IIT Madras to EV Disruption
Tarun Mehta graduated from IIT Madras in 2012 with a dual degree in Engineering Design. His passion for technology and innovation was evident early on. At IIT, he was active in C-TIDES, the entrepreneurship cell, and interned at giants like Mercedes-Benz R&D and BHEL.
But what set Mehta apart was his vision—to build an electric scooter that Indians could be proud of.
The Birth of Ather Energy: More Than Just a Startup
In 2013, Tarun Mehta and his college friend Swapnil Jain launched Ather Energy with support from IIT Madras’s incubation cell. They focused on one big idea: build India’s first intelligent electric scooter.
Early Backers:
- Dr. V Srinivasan, battery expert and mentor
- Sachin Bansal & Binny Bansal, Flipkart co-founders
With initial seed capital secured, the Ather story officially began.
Ather 450: India’s First Smart Electric Scooter
In 2018, Ather Energy launched the Ather 450, India’s first connected electric scooter, followed by the 450X and 450S. These were more than just EVs—they were IoT-powered smart devices on two wheels.
Key Features:
- Touchscreen dashboard with Google Maps
- Over-the-air software updates
- Fast charging via the proprietary Ather Grid
Ather created an ecosystem, not just a product—redefining customer experience in the EV space.
National Expansion & Manufacturing Power
Backed by major investors like Hero MotoCorp, Tiger Global, and GIC, Ather scaled quickly.
- Built a state-of-the-art plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu
- Presence in over 96 Indian cities
- Installed Ather Grid charging stations across urban centers
In 2024, Ather became a unicorn, valued at $1.3 billion—a major milestone in India’s EV startup history.
Awards, Recognition & Policy Impact
Tarun Mehta is a regular on power lists like:
- Forbes 30 Under 30
- Fortune 40 Under 40
He also plays a key role in shaping India’s EV policy, collaborating with government think tanks to promote clean mobility.
The Road Ahead: Bold Goals for a Greener Future
Ather is far from done. Mehta’s roadmap includes:
- Two new electric scooter models by 2026
- New EV platform architecture
- Targeting 30% market share in India’s electric 2-wheeler segment
“The future of mobility is electric, and it’s already here. We’re just making it smarter.” — Tarun Mehta
From college labs to India’s roads, Tarun Mehta’s journey is inspiring a generation of entrepreneurs. Ather Energy isn’t just changing how India rides—it’s changing how India thinks about energy, environment, and innovation.