Few vehicles have embedded themselves into the cultural fabric of India quite like the Bajaj Chetak.
For generations, this humble scooter wasn’t merely a mode of transportation; it was a family member, a trusted companion through life’s milestones, and for many, their first taste of mobility freedom.
When production of the original petrol-powered Chetak ceased in 2005, it left a void that many thought would never be filled.
Yet, in a fascinating turn of events that mirrors India’s own technological evolution, Bajaj Auto resurrected this beloved nameplate in 2019—not as a nostalgic fossil fuel throwback, but as a forward-looking electric vehicle that bridges past and future.
The Chetak’s return as an EV represents more than just another entry in India’s growing electric two-wheeler market; it embodies a cultural transition, carrying the weight of nostalgia while pushing firmly into a more sustainable tomorrow.
The Legacy Reborn: Design Philosophy
The new electric Chetak demonstrates a remarkable balance between honoring its heritage and embracing modernity.
Rather than slavishly recreating the classic design, Bajaj opted for a neo-retro approach that captures the essence of the original while standing confidently in the present.
The scooter’s silhouette maintains certain timeless elements—the characteristic curved body panels, the horseshoe-shaped LED headlamp, and the elegant stance—while infusing them with contemporary sophistication.
What truly distinguishes the electric Chetak in today’s market is its all-metal body construction.
In an era where plastic components dominate to reduce costs and weight, Bajaj’s commitment to a metal body serves multiple purposes: it provides a premium feel, offers better durability and protection, and most importantly, creates a tangible connection to the original Chetak’s legendary robustness.
This design choice wasn’t merely aesthetic; it was a statement about the scooter’s intended positioning as a premium, lasting product rather than a disposable consumer good.
The thoughtful attention to detail extends throughout the vehicle. The flush-fitting panels, seamless integration of lighting elements, and the subtle chrome accents all contribute to an upmarket presentation that elevates the Chetak above many of its competitors.
Color options have evolved over model years, with Bajaj offering sophisticated options including Brooklyn Black, Hazelnut, Indigo Metallic, Matte Scarlet Red, and Pista Green in current models, allowing for personal expression while maintaining the scooter’s elegant character.
Inside the cockpit, a digital instrument cluster replaces the analog gauges of yesteryear, offering comprehensive information about speed, charge status, range, and ride modes.
The switchgear feels substantial to the touch, and the overall ergonomics remain focused on providing a comfortable, upright riding position suitable for riders of various heights.
Storage solutions are well-considered, with a glove box for small items and underseat space for larger belongings, though the battery placement does reduce the available storage compared to some competitors.
Powertrain Evolution: From Series 2900 to Series 3500
Since its reintroduction, the Chetak electric has undergone significant evolution in its powertrain technology, with each generation bringing improvements in performance, range, and features.
The current lineup broadly falls into two series—the affordable 2900 series and the more premium 3500 series—each catering to different segments of the market with distinct value propositions.
The entry-level Chetak Blue 2903, priced competitively at ₹99,998, targets budget-conscious consumers making their first foray into electric mobility.
This variant comes with a more modest battery capacity and range, making it ideal for short urban commutes. The motor delivers adequate performance for city riding, though it prioritizes efficiency over outright acceleration.
At the higher end, the 3500 series—comprising the 3501, 3502, and 3503 variants—represents Bajaj’s premium electric offering.
The flagship 3501 model, priced around ₹1.35 lakh, features a 3.5 kWh battery pack that provides a claimed range of up to 155 kilometers on a single charge.
This substantial range addresses one of the primary concerns for potential EV adopters—range anxiety—making the Chetak viable for extended urban use rather than just short hops.
The electric motor in the 3500 series produces sufficient power to propel the scooter to a top speed of approximately 73 km/h, with acceleration that feels brisk enough for urban environments.
While not designed for high-speed highway cruising, the Chetak offers two riding modes—Eco and Sport—that allow riders to prioritize either range or responsiveness depending on their needs.
The instant torque delivery characteristic of electric motors gives the Chetak a responsive feel in traffic, particularly from a standstill, despite its relatively modest power figures compared to some competitors.
Charging infrastructure continues to be a consideration for all electric vehicles, and Bajaj has designed the Chetak to work with standard domestic power outlets.
The 3500 series can charge from 0 to 80% in approximately 3 hours, with a full charge taking about 4.5 hours.
This practical charging time makes overnight charging a viable routine for most users, though the lack of fast-charging capability may be limiting for those requiring quicker turnaround times.
Technology Integration: Smart Features for the Connected Rider
Beyond the basic electric drivetrain, the Chetak—particularly in its higher-end variants—incorporates a suite of smart features that elevate the ownership experience.
The Chetak mobile application serves as a digital companion, offering functionalities that would have seemed like science fiction during the original Chetak’s heyday.
Among the standout features available through the app are remote immobilization, which allows owners to disable the scooter from a distance if security is a concern; live location tracking for easy scooter retrieval in crowded parking areas; and geo-fencing, which can alert owners if the vehicle moves beyond a predetermined geographical boundary.
For parents lending the scooter to younger riders, the over-speed alert feature offers peace of mind by notifying when the scooter exceeds a user-defined speed threshold.
The application also provides comprehensive trip data for analyzing riding patterns, charge status monitoring to check battery levels remotely, and turn-by-turn navigation displayed directly on the scooter’s digital console on compatible models.
Music control functionality allows riders to control their smartphone’s audio playback without removing their hands from the handlebars, while call acceptance/rejection capabilities further enhance safety during rides.
These connected features are available primarily on the higher-end models with the optional TecPac, which bundles various technological enhancements for tech-savvy users.
The annual data pack, available as a subscription, enables the more advanced connectivity features that require constant data transmission.
Physical technology features vary by model but can include conveniences like hill-hold assist, which prevents the scooter from rolling backward on inclines; reverse mode for easier parking maneuvers; and self-canceling turn indicators that automatically switch off after completing a turn.
The premium variants also feature sequential rear turn indicators that enhance visibility to other road users and guide-me-home lights that remain illuminated briefly after parking to help riders navigate in dark environments.
Riding Experience: Electric Elegance
The riding experience of the electric Chetak blends elements of the original’s character with the unique characteristics of electric propulsion.
The most immediately noticeable difference is the absence of engine noise and vibration, replaced by the near-silent whirr of the electric motor.
This hushed operation creates a serene riding experience that older Chetak owners might find initially disorienting but ultimately pleasant.
The scooter’s weight distribution differs somewhat from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models due to the battery placement, but Bajaj has done an admirable job of engineering the chassis to maintain stability.
The low center of gravity provided by the floor-mounted battery pack actually enhances handling in certain scenarios, particularly during low-speed maneuvers common in dense traffic.
Suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork at the front and a single-sided swingarm with a monoshock at the rear.
This setup strikes a reasonable balance between comfort and control, though some riders report that the relatively firm calibration can transmit road imperfections on particularly poor surfaces. The 12-inch wheels with tubeless tires offer adequate grip for typical urban riding conditions.
Braking performance comes courtesy of a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear, coupled with a combined braking system (CBS) that distributes braking force between both wheels when the rear brake is applied.
This system provides reassuring stopping power while remaining user-friendly for riders of varying experience levels.
One of the Chetak’s most appreciated riding characteristics is its smooth power delivery. Unlike some electric scooters that deliver their torque in an abrupt rush, the Chetak’s power curves have been calibrated to provide progressive acceleration that feels natural and controlled.
This refinement extends to the throttle response, which offers predictable behavior whether crawling in dense traffic or accelerating more enthusiastically on open roads.
Ownership Experience: The Cost of Electric Transition
Beyond the initial purchase price, the ownership experience of the Chetak electric offers several advantages over traditional ICE scooters.
The most immediate benefit comes in the form of significantly reduced running costs. With electricity prices in India generally hovering around ₹6-8 per kWh, the cost per kilometer for the Chetak works out to a fraction of what petrol-powered alternatives require—typically around ₹0.20-0.30 per kilometer compared to ₹2-3 for petrol scooters.
Maintenance expenses also trend lower over time, largely due to the inherently simpler nature of electric drivetrains.
With fewer moving parts, no oil changes, no air filters to replace, and significantly reduced wear on braking components (thanks to regenerative braking), the scheduled maintenance visits are both less frequent and less expensive.
Bajaj supports this advantage with a standard warranty of 3 years or 50,000 kilometers, whichever comes earlier, providing reasonable peace of mind regarding the long-term reliability of the still-novel technology.
The battery remains the primary long-term ownership consideration. While Bajaj has engineered the battery packs for durability, eventually all lithium-ion batteries degrade and require replacement.
This represents a significant potential expense that ICE scooter owners don’t face, though it’s worth noting that this would typically occur well into the ownership period.
Bajaj offers extended warranty options specifically for the battery pack, which prudent buyers might consider depending on their expected usage patterns and ownership timeline.
Bajaj’s service network represents another significant ownership advantage. With over 3,800 service touchpoints across India, finding support for the Chetak is considerably easier than for many newer electric-only manufacturers with limited service presence.
This extensive network provides reassurance for riders who venture beyond their immediate neighborhood or who live in smaller cities and towns where newer EV brands might not yet have established service centers.
Financing options have expanded to make the Chetak more accessible despite its relatively premium pricing. Bajaj offers attractive EMI schemes that help mitigate the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles, allowing buyers to offset the initial premium against the ongoing fuel savings.
Various state and central government incentives for electric vehicles can further reduce the effective purchase price in many regions, though these policies vary considerably across different states.
Market Positioning and Competition
The Chetak occupies an interesting position in India’s rapidly evolving electric two-wheeler market. Rather than competing primarily on specifications or attempting to offer the longest range or most powerful motor, Bajaj has positioned the Chetak as a premium lifestyle product that happens to be electric.
This approach targets urban professionals and families who value quality, reliability, and brand heritage alongside environmental considerations.
Primary competition comes from established two-wheeler manufacturers who have developed their own electric offerings. TVS Motor Company’s iQube presents perhaps the most direct competition, offering similar performance characteristics and build quality at comparable price points.
Both scooters have sold over 250,000 units in FY2025, indicating strong market acceptance of premium electric offerings from established manufacturers.
Ather Energy’s 450 series targets a more performance-oriented segment with higher speeds and more aggressive acceleration, while Ola Electric’s S1 range emphasizes technology integration and feature-richness.
Pure EV, Okinawa, and several other newer entrants compete primarily on price, often undercutting the Chetak significantly but generally without matching its build quality or refined riding experience.
Among these competitors, the Chetak’s primary differentiation points remain its metal body construction, refined riding dynamics, and the intangible but powerful Chetak brand heritage.
For many potential buyers, particularly those who remember the original Chetak with fondness, these factors carry significant weight in the purchase decision beyond mere specification comparisons.
The broader market trend shows accelerating adoption of electric two-wheelers in India, with sales volumes growing substantially year over year. Government policies increasingly favor electric mobility through incentives, subsidies, and in some cases, restrictions on new ICE vehicle registrations in specific urban areas. Within this growing market, the Chetak has established itself as a significant player despite its relatively late entry compared to some competitors.
Future Trajectory: Evolution and Expansion
Looking ahead, Bajaj appears committed to the continued development of the Chetak platform. Industry observers anticipate several potential evolutionary paths for the model line, including variants with larger battery packs for extended range, more powerful motors for improved performance, and potentially even swappable battery technology to address charging infrastructure limitations.
The recent introduction of the more affordable 2903 model suggests that Bajaj recognizes the importance of addressing different price segments within the electric scooter market.
Further expansion of the lineup, potentially including models optimized for commercial delivery applications or more performance-oriented variants, would align with broader industry trends.
Technological enhancements will likely continue to focus on connectivity features, battery management systems for improved efficiency and longevity, and potential integration with emerging smart city infrastructure.
As charging standards evolve, future Chetak models might incorporate fast-charging capabilities to reduce charging times significantly.
Geographic expansion represents another growth vector, with Bajaj already exploring export opportunities for the Chetak in markets with similar urban mobility patterns and growing interest in electric transportation.
The scooter’s relatively premium positioning makes it suitable for markets where quality and reliability take precedence over absolute affordability.
Bajaj Chetak EV : Electrifying a Legacy
The Bajaj Chetak electric represents a fascinating case study in how heritage brands can successfully transition into new technological paradigms.
Rather than attempting to replicate the past, Bajaj has reimagined the Chetak for a new era while preserving the core values that made the original so beloved—reliability, practicality, and a certain understated elegance.
In doing so, the company has created a vehicle that appeals both to nostalgic former Chetak owners and to younger environmentally conscious riders who may have no personal connection to the original model.
This cross-generational appeal provides a broader market base than either pure nostalgia or pure technology could achieve alone.
The electric Chetak also serves as a microcosm of India’s broader transportation evolution. Just as the original Chetak helped mobilize a generation of Indian families during a period of growing middle-class aspirations, the electric version arrives at another inflection point—when environmental concerns, urban congestion, and technological advancement are prompting a fundamental rethinking of personal mobility solutions.
Whether the electric Chetak will achieve the same iconic status as its predecessor remains to be seen. The original benefited from decades of market presence during a period of limited competition, while today’s Chetak enters a far more crowded and rapidly evolving marketplace.
What seems certain, however, is that by electrifying this beloved nameplate, Bajaj has created a vehicle that transcends the typical electric scooter narrative of mere efficiency and environmental benefits.
Instead, the Chetak electric tells a story of continuity amid change—of honoring the past while embracing the future.
For a nation undergoing its own dramatic technological and economic transformation, that narrative resonates far beyond the specifications and features of the scooter itself.
The Chetak is once again more than just a vehicle; it’s a cultural touchstone marking India’s journey from its industrializing past to its high-tech future.