In India, the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter has a starting price of Rs. 1,18,981. It comes in 2 variations and 7 colours, and the top variation costs Rs. 1,45,891. The motor on the Bajaj Chetak produces 3800 W of power. Bajaj Chetak develops a combined braking system on both wheels with front disc and rear drum brakes.
The Pune-based two-wheeler business had completely stopped producing scooters during the previous few years. Since then, it has been developing a new electric scooter product and has now unveiled the Chetak in an electric form.
As the name implies, the scooter pays homage to its beginnings by emulating the classic Chetak while giving it a modern and stylish makeover. Its sheet metal body panels give it a premium feel, and its modernity is further enhanced by its flowing lines, LED lighting, and turn signals that sequentially blink like those on high-end vehicles. It also includes fully digital, Bluetooth-capable instrumentation with a variety of capabilities.
The Bajaj Chetak's powertrain consists of an electric motor that is powered by a 3kWh lithium-ion battery with an IP67 rating. Its motor has a 4kW (peak) and 3.8kW (continuous) power rating with a peak torque of 16Nm. The powertrain has two driving settings: Sport and Eco, which have a range of 95 and 85 km, respectively. According to Bajaj, the battery will endure for roughly 70,000 kilometres before needing to be replaced. Additionally, Bajaj has added a number of cutting-edge technologies to the e-scooter, including a reverse assist mode, regenerative braking, and an inbuilt Intelligent Battery Management System (IBMS) to seamlessly regulate charge and discharge.
The Urbane and Premium models of the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter are available. White, pink, black, yellow, red, and blue are among the six colour variations that are offered on the Chetak. The Ather 450 and the Okinawa i-Praise are competitors of the e-scooter in the market for high-end electric scooters.
Chetak key highlights |
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Riding Range | 90 Km |
Top Speed | 63 Kmph |
Battery charging time | 5 Hrs |
Rated Power | 3800 W |
USB Charging Port | Yes |
Max Power | 4,080 W |
Introduction
We last took a ride on the Bajaj Chetak back in 2020, when it was first introduced. Bajaj was not totally producing the Chetak in-house during that time. But as of 2022, Bajaj has complete control over the Chetak's manufacturing and quality features. As a result, there is a good likelihood that it will have improved fit, finish, and overall experience.
The Chetak is marketed as a high-end electric scooter with attractive aesthetics, a tonne of features, and an electric motor with an emphasis on functionality and usage. Similar to other brands in the market, this electric scooter also has battery warranty terms. The fact that this EV is manufactured by a two-wheeler company with a track record of selling millions of two-wheelers both in India and overseas is what sets it apart from the competition.
Styling & Quality
The Vespa line of scooters served as design inspiration for the Chetak. As a result, the stylistic lines are sleek and curved overall. The fascia has a conventional scooter style, but it stands out from the rest thanks to the use of chrome and clean lines. The flowing lines are highlighted when you stand to one side. When the scooter is moving, this appears to be quite impressive. The narrow panels and the necessity to occupy the lights and other components are to blame for the Chetak's back looking a little cluttered.
Now, the Chetak scores quite highly in terms of quality. The polish and fit are excellent. Panel gaps are hardly noticeable at all. Of all the items made by Bajaj, the paint quality is arguably the best. Even the metal pieces' polish is observable.
Ergonomics & Comfort
The Chetak e-scooter is perfect in a few different ways. One of them is the comfort of the seats. This scooter's seat is broad, roomy, and well-cushioned throughout. Within the city limits, I rode for a few hours, and it was pleasant and comfy. Additionally upright and accessible is the overall sitting triangle. I could put my feet easily on the floorboard because there was enough room, which improved my level of comfort.
Performance & Handling
The Chetak has two riding modes in total, or three if you include the reverse mode. Like their titles might imply, Eco and Sport have distinct objectives. I mostly rode in the Eco mode at comfortable and medium speeds. There were times when I just wanted to cruise through city traffic in a laid-back manner, and the Eco mode complied. There was never a point when I felt like I needed something extra because of how well this mode performed. But as the highways widened and became more deserted, that need became apparent. I don't want to move most slowly at this point. I increased my throttle twist and shifted into Sport mode.
The Chetak is quick in this instance, though not so quick as to pass some 125cc motorcycles. At the traffic lights, I experimented with the rapid torque delivery and had a great time. Additionally, if you need to cross many flyovers and that too during high traffic hours, Sport mode is a requirement. Currently, there are only two methods to reach Sport mode: directly from Sport mode or through Eco mode, which can be annoying. Due to the absence of a designated Eco mode from Bajaj, many beeps are heard. Additionally, because the throttle position is unrestricted, Eco mode frequently transitions into Sport mode.
The Chetak's weight distribution is now fairly balanced overall. When removing the scooter from the parking, it doesn't feel as weighty. The e-scooter is simple to use once moving and requires little effort when used for commuting. I was able to navigate traffic without feeling stressed out because to a mix of upright sitting ergonomics and strong performance. The ride quality is also smooth and takes care of the majority of the medium-sized potholes. The trailing front suspension tends to exhibit its limitations only when the going is difficult and bumpy.
The Chetak, however, is supposed to have a riding range of 90 kilometres on a single charge and a charging time of four hours. It comes included with a charging wire and can be charged using a 5A outlet. The business will also dispatch a technician to install a plug point in your parking lot. According to Bajaj, if the owner uses the battery frequently and maintains a charge over 15%, it can last up to 70,000 kilometres, or seven years. However, the warranty period is either 50,000 kilometres or three years, whichever comes first.
Features & Technology
The Chetak may be one of the few contemporary electric scooters available right now. This scooter has a number of desirable features and high-end technological components. For instance, the LED headlamp has a very brilliant LED DRL that makes the Chetak stand out on the road. The circular instrument cluster is another option, and it elegantly and cleanly presents a large amount of data.
Both the backlight and the typeface are appropriate. Although the black and white design may seem dated, Chetak actually looks rather well with it. A smartphone application that connects to this cluster generates a variety of ride data that is also stored in the system memory. Additionally, modern technologies like GPS and scooter location are quite helpful. The switchgear buttons, however, are no longer available on the market. They feel nice to the touch, are simple to use, and, like the majority of other Bajaj devices, include backlight.
There are other feel-good features too, like the soft-open feature of the front compartment. Then, the seat drops down slowly and there’s no need for rider intervention. Chetak’s smartphone app has a lot of features too, but the version we received for the test wasn’t in the production environment. So many of those features weren’t accessible to us.
Riding Range
The Chetak provided us with a 106 km riding range on a single charge. It's interesting to note that despite the battery showing 0% charge, the electric scooter continued for another 8 kilometres. This could imply that the corporation intentionally designed their range system so that the rider can get home even without paying a fee. This might be used as a backup emergency system.
Should you buy it?
The electric scooter from Chetak is a well-designed item. It has distinctive design features that make it very aspirational. It is equipped with an electric motor and battery that have undergone extensive testing, so it is guaranteed to function as intended. Then there are the characteristics that are useful, usable, and above all, simple to use. The scooter's general riding characteristics are comfortable for any family member, which may make it the third-most-used appliance in the house (after the TV and refrigerator). The absence of a specific Eco setting is the only complaint I have about this Chetak.
The Chetak is not a cheap scooter, costing Rs 1.47 lakh in on-road Mumbai. But if you spend a little more money than the cheap, shoddy Chinese EVs that have swamped the Indian market, you have a fair chance of getting a scooter like the Chetak. These days, it seems like you have to pay a price for that piece of mind.
Specifications
No. Of Batteries
Portable Battery
Swappable Battery
Charger Type
Brakes, Wheels & Suspension
Calliper Type
Single Piston Caliper at the Front
Features
Front storage box
Under seat storage
DRLs (Daytime running lights)
Cruise Control
Additional features
High Quality electronic switches, USB Port built in the glove box, Retractable Luggage Hook, Underseat Storage
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