Bajaj Chetak EV: The original Chetak, introduced in the 1970s and produced until 2005, earned its place in Indian households through a combination of reliability, simplicity, and accessibility.

Named after the legendary horse of the 16th-century Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap, the Chetak became synonymous with dependable family mobility during India’s pre-liberalization era.

At its peak, waiting periods stretched to several years, and the scooter often commanded a premium in the gray market—a testament to its desirability in a supply-constrained economy.

When production finally ceased in 2005, many viewed it as the inevitable end of an era as modern automatic scooters and motorcycles displaced the vintage Chetak with its manual gearshift and metal body construction. Bajaj itself pivoted entirely to motorcycles, exiting the scooter segment it once dominated.

It was therefore nothing short of remarkable when in October 2019, Bajaj announced the revival of the Chetak name for its first electric vehicle.

This decision represented more than marketing nostalgia—it signaled Bajaj’s confidence in the new product’s ability to live up to the legendary reliability and cultural significance of its namesake.

Bajaj Chetak EV: Design Philosophy- Respecting Heritage While Embracing the Future

The Chetak EV’s design achieves something quite rare in vehicle revivals—it honors its ancestry without becoming enslaved to retro aesthetics.

While unmistakable callbacks to the original appear in the round headlamp, curved body panels, and single-sided front suspension, the overall execution feels thoroughly modern.

The scooter’s silhouette maintains the flowing curves that characterized the original, but with contemporary proportions and details that prevent it from becoming a mere nostalgia exercise.

The seamless sheet metal body—a rarity in the plastic-bodied modern scooter market—provides both visual distinction and practical durability, echoing the legendary toughness of the original Chetak’s metal construction.

Particular attention was paid to lighting elements, with full LED implementation throughout. The horseshoe-shaped LED daytime running light provides a distinctive front signature, while sequential LED indicators add a premium touch rarely seen in this segment.

The centrally-mounted digital instrument console blends into the handlebars with remarkable integration, avoiding the “tablet stuck to the dashboard” aesthetic that plagues many electric vehicles.

Perhaps most impressively, Bajaj’s designers resisted the temptation to add superfluous “futuristic” elements that often make electric vehicles appear contrived.

Instead, the design exudes confidence in its clean lines and restrained surfacing, allowing the fundamental proportions to speak for themselves.

Available in six colors, including the iconic ivory that dominated original Chetak sales, the palette further bridges past and present.

Engineering: Purpose-Built Electric Architecture

Unlike many competitors who simply retrofit existing internal combustion platforms with electric components, the Chetak EV was developed as a ground-up electric vehicle.

This approach allowed Bajaj’s engineers to optimize weight distribution, component placement, and overall efficiency without the compromises inherent in conversion designs.

At the heart of the Chetak EV sits a 3.8 kWh IP67-rated lithium-ion battery pack, positioned to maintain the low center of gravity crucial for scooter handling.

This powers a 4.08 kW (peak) electric motor mounted directly to the rear wheel, eliminating transmission losses while delivering 16 Nm of instantaneous torque.

The motor incorporates a regenerative braking system that recuperates energy during deceleration, extending range particularly in urban stop-start conditions.

The powertrain offers two riding modes: Eco and Sport. In Eco mode, top speed is limited to 63 km/h with gentler acceleration to maximize range, delivering approximately 95 km on a full charge.

Sport mode increases responsiveness and top speed to 73 km/h while reducing maximum range to about 85 km.

Charging occurs via a standard 5A household socket, eliminating the need for specialized infrastructure—a crucial consideration for Indian market conditions where dedicated charging stations remain limited.

A full charge from empty requires approximately 5 hours, though the battery reaches 80% capacity in roughly 3.5 hours.

The battery management system incorporates sophisticated temperature control algorithms to protect cells during India’s extreme summer conditions, while the IP67 water and dust resistance rating ensures reliability during monsoon seasons.

Bajaj claims the battery retains over 70% capacity after 50,000 kilometers of use, backing this with a 3-year/50,000 km warranty on the battery and motor.

Ride Experience: Electric Refinement Meets Traditional Handling

The riding experience of the Chetak EV represents perhaps its most successful merger of traditional values and modern technology.

The immediate torque delivery characteristic of electric motors provides effortless acceleration from standstill—a particular advantage in congested urban traffic where the original Chetak’s manual gearbox required considerable clutch finesse.

The chassis geometry closely mirrors traditional scooter dimensions, creating a familiar riding position that feels instantly accessible to riders transitioning from conventional scooters.

The single-sided trailing link front suspension—visually reminiscent of the original Chetak’s design—provides 85mm of travel, while the rear monoshock delivers 63mm, offering adequate compliance over typical urban road imperfections.

Braking duties are handled by a 130mm front drum and 130mm rear drum setup augmented by Combined Braking System (CBS) that distributes braking force between both wheels even when only one brake is applied.

While disc brakes would provide more immediate stopping power, the drum setup arguably offers easier maintenance in typical Indian service conditions—a nod to the practicality that defined the original Chetak.

The 12-inch front and 10-inch rear wheels, shod with tubeless tires, strike a balance between stability and maneuverability, while the 1,326mm wheelbase ensures straight-line stability without compromising low-speed handling in crowded urban environments.

Perhaps most notably, the Chetak EV weighs 120kg—relatively heavy for a scooter of its dimensions but considerably lighter than many electric competitors.

This mass, combined with the low-mounted battery, contributes to a planted feel that inspires confidence, particularly for family riders who prioritize stability over sporty handling.

Technology Integration: Connected Without Complexity

The Chetak EV incorporates connectivity features through the Chetak mobile application, which enables remote monitoring of charge status, ride history, and location.

The app also facilitates service scheduling and provides security features including tamper alerts and geofencing capabilities.

However, Bajaj has wisely avoided the technology overload that characterizes many modern electric vehicles. The interface remains intuitive, with essential functions accessible through physical controls rather than buried in touchscreen menus.

The instrument display prioritizes legibility of crucial information like speed, range, and charge status, avoiding the information clutter that can distract riders.

This approach reflects an understanding of the Chetak’s target market—riders who appreciate modern conveniences but prioritize functional reliability over gadgetry.

It also acknowledges the challenging usage environment of Indian roads, where environmental factors like bright sunlight and monsoon downpours can render complex touchscreen interfaces problematic.

Market Positioning and Strategy

Bajaj’s pricing strategy for the Chetak EV reveals much about its market ambitions. Launched at approximately ₹1.15 lakh ex-showroom (now revised upward with subsequent iterations).

The Chetak positioned itself in the premium segment of the emerging electric scooter market—significantly higher than conventional internal combustion scooters but competitive with other electric offerings considering its build quality and brand heritage.

This pricing indicates Bajaj isn’t chasing mass-market volumes initially but rather establishing the Chetak as a premium urban mobility solution.

The Chetak is sold through dedicated Chetak Boutiques in select cities rather than existing Bajaj dealerships, creating a distinct retail experience emphasizing the product’s unique positioning.

The rollout strategy has been deliberately measured, initially launching in Pune and Bangalore before gradual expansion to other metropolitan centers.

This controlled approach allows Bajaj to refine the ownership experience and service protocols before wider distribution—a strategy that prioritizes brand reputation over immediate market share.

Challenges and Market Reality

Despite its thoughtful execution, the Chetak EV faces significant challenges in the rapidly evolving Indian electric two-wheeler market.

Competition has intensified dramatically since its launch, with rivals like Ola Electric, Ather Energy, TVS, and Hero MotoCorp all introducing compelling alternatives at various price points.

Range anxiety remains a practical concern for many potential adopters, particularly in conditions where typical commuting distances exceed 40-50 kilometers daily.

While the Chetak’s claimed range suffices for most urban usage patterns, it requires more frequent charging than internal combustion alternatives—a notable consideration in a market still transitioning to electric mobility.

The premium positioning also places the Chetak beyond the reach of many traditional scooter buyers, limiting its immediate market penetration.

Government incentives under the FAME II scheme have somewhat offset this price differential, but the fundamental cost challenge of electric powertrains remains a market reality.

Perhaps most significantly, Bajaj faces the challenge of scaling production to meet demand while maintaining the quality standards essential to the Chetak brand promise.

Initial production constraints limited availability, creating waiting periods reminiscent of the original Chetak—though for different reasons.

Impact on Indian Electric Mobility

Beyond its commercial performance, the Chetak EV’s significance lies in how it has influenced perceptions of electric mobility in India.

By wrapping new technology in familiar, trusted branding, Bajaj has helped normalize electric vehicles for consumers who might otherwise view the technology with skepticism.

The Chetak’s emphasis on refinement and quality has also elevated expectations for the entire segment, forcing competitors to focus on fit and finish rather than merely specifications and features.

This maturation benefits the broader electric vehicle ecosystem by establishing standards that move beyond the utilitarian approaches of earlier market entrants.

Importantly, the Chetak demonstrates that indigenous manufacturers can produce electric vehicles with distinctive design language rather than merely adapting international templates.

This helps counter the perception that meaningful innovation occurs primarily in international markets, providing a template for uniquely Indian approaches to the global electric mobility transition.

Future Directions and Evolution

Looking forward, the Chetak platform appears positioned for expansion rather than replacement. Bajaj has indicated plans for variants with different battery capacities addressing various price points and usage patterns.

A more affordable variant could help capture the mass market, while extended-range versions might address the needs of users with longer commutes.

The potential for integration with Bajaj’s emerging battery swapping ecosystem also exists, potentially addressing range limitations through interchangeable battery packs.

However, this would require significant redesign of the current battery mounting system, which is highly integrated into the scooter’s structure.

Bajaj Chetak EV: Honoring Legacy Through Innovation

The Bajaj Chetak EV represents a fascinating case study in how established automotive brands can navigate the transition to electric mobility.

Rather than treating electrification as merely a powertrain swap, Bajaj has approached it as an opportunity to reimagine what made the original Chetak special—reliability, quality, and accessibility—for contemporary conditions.

The result is a product that feels authentic rather than opportunistic—a genuine evolution of the Chetak legacy rather than merely an exploitation of nostalgic branding.

In a market flooded with startups making bold claims, the Chetak EV offers the reassurance of both innovation and tradition, a combination particularly valuable during technological transitions.

Whether the Chetak EV achieves the same cultural ubiquity as its predecessor remains to be seen, but its thoughtful execution has already secured its place as a significant milestone in India’s electric mobility journey.

By demonstrating how beloved vehicle nameplates can successfully transition to electric powertrains without losing their essential character, the Chetak EV provides a roadmap not just for Bajaj but for the entire automotive industry navigating the electric revolution.