Home / Business and Economy / Ather Energy Navigates China's Rare-Earth Magnet Ban, Narrows Losses
Ather Energy Navigates China's Rare-Earth Magnet Ban, Narrows Losses
4 Aug
Summary
- Ather Energy reports narrower Q1 losses amid higher demand
- Expects only a week's supply gap due to China's rare-earth magnet export ban
- Exploring alternatives like light rare-earth magnets to manage impact

In the first quarter of 2025, Indian electric scooter manufacturer Ather Energy reported a narrower loss compared to the same period a year earlier. The company's losses shrank to 1.78 billion rupees ($20.3 million) from 1.83 billion rupees, thanks to a nearly two-fold increase in sales to 46,078 units.
Ather's CEO Tarun Mehta stated that the company expects only around a week's worth of supply gap due to China's recent ban on rare-earth magnet exports. To manage the impact, Ather plans to utilize its existing inventory and is also exploring alternatives, including a shift to more widely available light rare-earth magnets.
China, which supplies around 90% of the world's rare-earth magnets, imposed the export ban in April 2025. Last week, major Indian automakers like Mahindra and Hyundai India also shrugged off medium-term issues from the ban, with Mahindra saying it was using alternatives such as light rare-earths and ferrites.
Ather, which makes the popular "Rizta" e-scooter, saw its revenue surge 78.8% year-over-year to 6.45 billion rupees. However, rising material costs pushed the company's overall expenses 54.4% higher. Ather's adjusted gross margin rose to 23% from 19% a year ago, driven by non-vehicle revenue such as warranty programs, software, and accessories.