Tarun Mehta

Tarun Mehta
Born	India
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	IIT Madras (Engineering Design)
Occupation	Entrepreneur, CEO of Ather Energy
Known for	Co-founding Ather Energy

Tarun Mehta is an Indian entrepreneur and technology innovator, best known as the co-founder and CEO of Ather Energy, one of India’s leading electric vehicle (EV) startups. A graduate of IIT Madras, Mehta is a pioneer in the Indian EV landscape, transforming urban mobility with smart, connected electric scooters and a robust charging network.

Early Life and Education

Tarun Mehta completed his engineering degree in Engineering Design from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. During his academic journey, he worked on battery technology and energy systems, which became the foundation of his entrepreneurial venture.

After a brief stint at Ashok Leyland, Mehta left his job to pursue his vision of building India’s first smart electric scooter, partnering with his IIT batchmate Swapnil Jain to establish Ather Energy in 2013.

Founding Ather Energy

Ather Energy began as a research initiative into lithium-ion battery packs and evolved into a full-scale electric vehicle company. Founded in 2013, the startup aimed to deliver high-performance EVs tailored for Indian roads and consumer needs.

What Sets Ather Apart

• In-house R&D – End-to-end development of batteries, chassis, and embedded software.
• Smart Dashboards – Touchscreen interfaces, GPS navigation, and OTA updates.
• Ather Grid – India’s first intelligent EV charging network.
• Connected Ecosystem – Real-time diagnostics, ride statistics, and AI-powered features.

Ather’s first scooters, the Ather 340 and Ather 450, launched in 2018, marked a significant leap in India's two-wheeler EV market.

Overcoming Challenges

Ather Energy faced multiple industry hurdles in its early years:

• Battery Costs – High costs made EVs unaffordable to the mass market.
• Infrastructure Gaps – Limited EV charging infrastructure in Indian cities.
• Customer Mindset – Skepticism around performance, durability, and maintenance.

Despite these barriers, Mehta led Ather to raise funding from major investors like Hero MotoCorp, Tiger Global, and others. The company’s emphasis on design, engineering excellence, and real-world testing helped build trust among early adopters.

Expansion and Achievements

Under Tarun Mehta’s leadership, Ather Energy has grown into one of India’s most admired EV companies.

Major Milestones

• 2018 – Launched Ather 450 in Bengaluru.
• 2020 – Released Ather 450X with enhanced performance and smart features.
• 2021 – Set up a large-scale production facility in Tamil Nadu.
• 2022–2023 – Expanded to 50+ cities across India; Ather Grid scaled to hundreds of locations.

Today, Ather is recognized for its cutting-edge electric scooters and is considered a premium EV brand competing with Ola Electric and Bajaj Chetak.

Vision for the Future

Tarun Mehta envisions Ather Energy as a catalyst in India's transition to clean mobility.

Future Goals

• Launch affordable EV models to penetrate wider markets.
• Expand Ather Grid to over 1,000 fast-charging stations nationwide.
• Invest in AI and battery innovation for smarter energy management.
• Explore international expansion in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Impact and Recognition

Tarun Mehta has emerged as one of the youngest and most visionary leaders in India’s clean-tech and EV space. He has been featured in numerous industry forums and recognized for his contributions to sustainable mobility and smart urban transportation.

Conclusion

Tarun Mehta’s entrepreneurial journey reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technology-led problem solving. Through Ather Energy, he is redefining what two-wheeler mobility means in India—offering smarter, cleaner, and more connected alternatives to traditional vehicles. As India accelerates its shift towards electric transportation, Mehta continues to lead from the front, inspiring a new generation of EV entrepreneurs.