Bajaj Auto To Release More Affordable Chetak Electric Scooter Variant

Published: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 14:30 [IST]

Bajaj Auto is preparing to make a splash in the electric vehicle (EV) market with a new, more affordable version of its Chetak scooter. This move aims to make electric scooters more accessible to a wider audience and strengthen Bajaj's position in the competitive EV space. The upcoming variant is designed to appeal to cost-conscious consumers without sacrificing the quality and performance Bajaj is known for.

New Affordable Bajaj Chetak: What to Expect

The EV landscape in India is rapidly evolving, with electric scooters at the forefront due to their universal appeal. Bajaj, a pioneer in premium electric mobility through its subsidiary, Chetak Technology, is not new to the game.

However, with the upcoming launch, Bajaj seeks to address a growing demand for more affordable electric scooters. Spy shots have recently emerged, giving us a sneak peek into what the new Chetak variant has to offer.

One notable change is the introduction of vibrant new colours, including a bright Cyan, indicating Bajaj's aim to target younger buyers. To achieve a more attractive price point, the scooter will feature downgraded hardware, such as stylised steel wheels instead of alloy wheels and drum brakes in place of disc brakes. Additionally, the premium Chetak's fully digital TFT instrument screen will be replaced with a simpler circular LCD unit.

Performance and Price Expectations

Under the hood, the affordable Chetak variant is expected to be powered by a mid-drive motor, differing from earlier models that used a rear hub motor for cost savings. The battery capacity is likely to remain at 2.9 kWh, similar to the current Urbane variant, offering a range of approximately 113 km. This positions the scooter competitively against other players in the market, such as the Ola S1 X+, Ather Rizta, TVS iQube, and Simple Dot One.

DriveSpark Thinks

With the premium Chetak variants priced between Rs. 1.23 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Urbane and Rs. 1.47 lakh (ex-showroom) for the Premium, the new, more affordable variant is expected to be priced around the Rs. 1 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. This strategic pricing is set to make the Chetak more accessible and significantly expand its market reach.

As the launch date approaches, anticipation grows for this affordable variant of the Bajaj Chetak. It represents a significant step towards making electric mobility a viable option for a broader segment of Indian consumers, inline with the nation's growing emphasis on sustainable transportation solutions.

Source: Autocar India