Two new family-focused electric scooters go head-to-head, but which one makes more sense for buyers looking for range, practicality and features?
The Indian electric scooter market has just gained two interesting new contenders in the form of the Simple Wave and Ather Konarc. Both have been developed with everyday family use in mind, rather than outright performance, and both put a strong emphasis on practicality.
The Konarc starts at Rs 99,999, while the Wave starts at Rs 1.09 lakh, but Simple counters with a much larger battery and an impressive 243 km claimed IDC range on its top variant. The Konarc, meanwhile, focuses on a more accessible entry price, large wheels, clever convenience features and Ather’s established software ecosystem.
Simple Wave vs Ather Konarc: Price And Range
Model / Variant | Battery | Claimed IDC Range | Ex-showroom Price |
Ather Konarc S 100 | 2.1kWh | 100km | Rs 99,999 |
Ather Konarc S 125 | 2.7kWh | 125km | Rs 1.22 lakh |
Ather Konarc S 161 | 3.5kWh | 161km | Rs 1.42 lakh |
Simple Wave S 2.2 | 2.2kWh | 110km | Rs 1.10 lakh |
Simple Wave S 2.7 EBN | 2.7kWh | 132km | Rs 1.40 lakh |
Simple Wave S 2.7 TFT | 2.7kWh | 132km | Rs 1.50 lakh |
Simple Wave 3.7 EBN | 3.7kWh | 171km | Rs 1.60 lakh |
Simple Wave 3.7 TFT | 3.7kWh | 171km | Rs 1.75 lakh |
Simple Wave+ 5 | 5.0kWh | 243km | Rs 1.90 lakh |
The price comparison immediately shows how differently the two companies have approached the segment. Ather has a clear advantage at the entry level, with the Konarc S 100 starting at Rs 99,999. The Wave S 2.2 costs roughly Rs 10,000 more, although it also offers 10 km more claimed range. At the top end, however, the Wave pulls away dramatically, offering 243 km from its 5 kWh battery. The currently available Konarc S tops out at 161 km from a 3.5 kWh battery.
Performance And Hardware
Specification | Simple Wave | Ather Konarc |
Peak motor power | Up to 6.4 kW | Up to 4.7 kW |
Motor | PMSM | PMSM |
Top speed | Up to 90 kmph | 70 kmph |
0-40km/h | 3.3 sec | 4.7 sec |
Front wheel | 12-inch | 14-inch |
Front brake | Disc | Disc |
Rear brake | Drum | Drum |
Seat height | 775 mm | 770 mm |
Storage | 70 litres | 31 litres |
The Wave has the clear advantage if performance is part of the equation. Its new 6.4 kW motor allows the higher variants to reach 90 kmph, while the Konarc is limited to 70km/h. The Ather does fight back with its 14-inch front wheel, which should be useful on broken urban roads. Simple has instead focused on comfort and practicality, giving the Wave a long 920 mm seat, a flat floorboard and twin rear shocks.
Features: Wave vs Konarc
Both scooters are much more than basic electric commuters. The Wave gets a 7-inch TFT display, smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, OTA updates, regenerative braking, hill-hold and traction control, with Simple calling the latter GripSense. Higher variants also get four riding modes, while the base Wave S gets three.
The Konarc takes a slightly different approach. Its feature list includes MagicKey for keyless operation, AutoPop for opening the boot with a foot gesture and AirWalk to make moving the scooter around while parking easier (these features will come in the Z variants later). It also gets navigation, multiple riding modes, alerts and Ather’s connected ecosystem. Ather has also introduced its fifth-generation Bedrock battery and offers a 10-year battery warranty, adding a significant ownership proposition to the package.
The Big Difference: Practicality
This is where the Simple Wave makes a particularly strong case for itself. It offers 70 litres of total storage, including a massive 63-litre under-seat compartment, a 3-litre front cubby and a 4-litre quick-access “Pill Storage” compartment. For a family scooter, that is a genuinely useful advantage. The Konarc has 31 litres of under-seat storage, which is respectable but nowhere near the Wave’s capacity.
The Wave is therefore the more convincing choice if your priorities are maximum range, storage and higher performance. The Konarc makes more sense if you want a lower entry price, compact everyday usability, larger front wheel and Ather’s software and convenience features.
Simple Wave vs Ather Konarc: Which One Should You Buy?
On paper, the Simple Wave wins the specification battle, particularly once you move beyond the base variants. Its 243 km range, 70-litre storage and 90 kmph top speed give it some serious numbers for a family scooter. The Ather Konarc, however, has the stronger Rs 99,999 entry point and a clever set of features that could make everyday ownership easier.
In other words, the Wave is the scooter for buyers who want more of almost everything, while the Konarc is the more sensible choice if keeping the initial purchase price down is the priority. This is based on the specifications and features alone. How they ride is a different story. Make sure that you test ride both before you make your final purchase decision.
