Ather Energy has enhanced its electric vehicle (EV) research and development efforts by expanding its Product Testing & Validation Center in Bengaluru. The facility, known as “The Juggernaut,” spans 38,692 square feet and aims to improve product development speeds by focusing on performance, quality, and reliability.
The expanded center includes specialized labs for testing vehicle environments, battery testing, and structural durability. A key feature is the 4 DOF Road Simulator, which reduces a 100,000 km endurance test to just 15 days, drastically cutting down the usual testing time that would take around ten years on real roads.
Ather Energy’s Co-founder and CTO, Swapnil Jain, emphasized the importance of rigorous testing due to the radical differences between electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The expansion aims to scale up testing capacity and foster quicker innovation and product development.
The facility also conducts comprehensive battery validation, including tests for thermal performance, water resistance, and durability. Ather’s battery packs undergo 272 tests, are IPX7 waterproof certified, and meet AIS 156 standards, ensuring high reliability and safety.
As of the end of 2024, Ather had performed 4,535 unique tests on its electric two-wheelers. The company has allocated significant resources to R&D, with Rs. 2,388 million spent on innovation, representing 15% of its operational revenue. Approximately 46% of its workforce is dedicated to R&D.
Ather operates three R&D facilities in Bengaluru, with one recognized as an in-house unit by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The company’s product development process includes eight quality reviews before launching any new product, ensuring high standards of performance and safety.
