The Chetak 3201 Special Edition features tone-on-tone embossed decals and quilted seats, enhancing the ride. It maintains the robust “Life proof” features that have made the Chetak Electric Scooter popular:

• Elegant Styling: Manufactured by Bajaj Auto, the world's largest two-wheeler OEM.
• Solid Metal Steel Body: The only metal body EV scooter in its category.
• Water Resistance: IP 67 rated for superior water resistance.
• Impressive Range: ARAI certified range of 136 km.
• Advanced Features: Bluetooth connectivity, Chetak App, Colour TFT Display Instrument Cluster, and Auto Hazard Light.

Talking about the Chetak 3201 being launched on Amazon, Mr. Eric Vas, President, President, Urbanite, Bajaj Auto Ltd., said:

We are delighted to elevate our partnership with Amazon with the exclusive launch and August sale of our Special Edition Chetak. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the EV industry, where customers can access quiet luxury on wheels exclusively on Amazon. The Electric Chetak with its sturdy build and solid metal body, evokes a sense of trust and durability that our customers have come to expect from Bajaj Auto. This new special edition continues that legacy, delivering an unparalleled riding experience that combines luxury, reliability, and cutting-edge features.

Bajaj Auto had previously opened bookings for the Chetak in 8 cities during 2021. During the first six weeks of 2022, bookings for the Chetak have been opened in an additional 12 cities - Coimbatore, Madurai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Hubli, Visakhapatnam, Nashik, Vasai, Surat, Delhi, Mumbai and Mapusa. With the addition of Delhi and Mumbai, Chetak now enters two of India's largest markets for electric vehicles.

Bajaj Auto recently announced an investment of INR 300 Cr to ramp up its electric vehicle production capacity as well.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director, Bajaj Auto, said:

Chetak’s success has been built on the quality of a thoroughly tested, dependable product. An on-ground network of sales and service reduces the anxiety of a customer venturing into an unfamiliar category such as electric scooters. Our plan is to double Chetak's network in the coming few weeks to accommodate the high demand.

This new price is applicable only for bookings made on the 13th and 14th of April. With this second round of price hike, the Urbane variant has become even dearer by INR 27,620. Meanwhile, the Premium variant sees a price hike of INR 24,000. It must be noted that the final prices listed here do not take into account the FAME II subsidy. With the subsidy applied, prices of Bajaj Chetak will go down by approximately INR 25,000, making it a tad bit more affordable. Currently, it is just INR 2,000 more affordable than the Ather 450X.

Also Read : Here’s How Hero Xpulse 200 Enduro Cousin Would Look Like

Bookings on the Bajaj Chetak have again been halted since then.  The latest pricing for the Bajaj Chetak was displayed via a pop-up notification during the online booking process. Bajaj had temporarily reopened bookings for the Chetak a few days ago on a first come first serve basis. However, the company received a large number of confirmed orders from customers, requiring it to cease acceptance of bookings within 48 hours. The company has said they will review the supply situation and announce the next round of booking opportunity.

Until now, the Bajaj Chetak was only available in Pune and Bangalore. However, It will soon be available in Hyderabad and Chennai as well. It will continue to be offered from select Bajaj Probiking/KTM dealerships. As for differences between the two variants, the Urbane variant has drum brakes and is available in 2 colour options - Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Premium variant has a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear and comes in 4 colour options - Velutto Rosso, Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut and Brooklyn Black.

The Bajaj Chetak is powered by a 3.8kW/4.1kW (continuous/peak power) electric motor that sends power to the rear wheels via an automated transmission. It derives it's power from a lithium-ion battery pack that is capable of delivering a real-world range of 95km in Eco Mode and 85km in Sport mode. The Chetak takes approximately 5 hours to charge to 100% and 1 hour to charge to 25%. Bajaj also offers a warranty of three years/50,000km on the IP67-rated battery.

For more Bajaj Auto news and updates about other two-wheelers, keep checking IndianAutosBlog.com.

Just like other automobile manufacturers, in March this year, Bajaj Auto also halted its manufacturing facilities in compliance with the Indian Govt’s orders to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus. Since no units of the Chetak were being produced, the company stopped accepting any new bookings for the same. The nationwide lockdown also delayed the deliveries of the retro-modern electric two-wheeler.

On 1 June 2020, the Indian Govt lifted the lockdown in most parts of the country except for the containment zones. As things have gradually started to return to normal, Bajaj Auto has restarted its operations. The two-wheeler giant has also announced the resumption of online bookings for the Chetak electric scooter. As far as the deliveries are concerned, Bajaj Auto is expected to restart the same very soon. The company will first fulfil the pending customer orders in Pune and Bengaluru and then handle the new orders.

The COVID-19 crisis has also affected the Chetak launch in other cities. As per the earlier reports, the expansion plans of the electric scooter in other parts of the country have been delayed by several months. Bajaj Auto had said that before introducing the Chetak in more cities, it will first analyse the customer feedback about the electric two-wheeler and study other factors such as the charging ecosystem, subsidy, etc.

Also Read: Chetak electric scooter granted design patent in Europe

The Chetak has two variants - Urbane and Premium. The Urbane variant has drum brakes and is available in 2 colour options - Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Premium variant has a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear and comes in 4 colour options - Velutto Rosso, Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut and Brooklyn Black.

The Chetak electric scooter isn’t 100% localised. The two-wheeler giant Bajaj Auto sources components from Wuhan, China. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a disruption in the supply of these components which has impacted the production of the electric scooter. Also, Bajaj Auto had shut down its factories in India as the nation was put under lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus. While the company has resumed manufacturing in a phased manner after the Indian Govt. gave certain relaxation in the lockdown, the Chetak is yet to hit the production line again.

Once the production of the Chetak electric scooter resumes, Bajaj Auto will first fulfil the pending customer orders in Pune and Bengaluru. It will also analyse the customer feedback about the electric two-wheeler and study other factors such as the charging ecosystem, subsidy, etc. Once these targets are accomplished, the company will then shift its focus on expanding Chetak’s presence in other cities which could get delayed by 4-5 months.

Soon after launching the Chetak here in India, Bajaj Auto filed a design patent for the electric scooter with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on 28 February 2020. The application has been approved and is valid until 28 February 2025.

Also Read: Chetak electric scooter deliveries delayed, to resume in Q3 2020 now

The Chetak has received a good initial response in the domestic market. Bajaj Auto gathered around 2,000 bookings for the electric scooter in just 15 days after commencing its booking on 15 January 2020. However, the company isn’t accepting any new bookings at the moment.

The Chetak is Bajaj Auto’s first electric scooter. It was launched in India in January 2020 for a starting price of INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in two variants - Urbane and Premium. Soon after launching the Chetak here in India, Bajaj Auto filed a design patent for the electric scooter with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on 28 February 2020. The application has been approved and is valid until 28 February 2025.

At the moment, it is unclear whether Bajaj Auto will sell the Chetak electric scooter in Europe or not. If there is a plan, we think that it would be the Chetak Premium that will be the more feasible option for the European countries. What do you think? Let us know with a comment.

The Chetak has a truly exquisite design. The retro-modern look is one of the key USPs of the electric scooter. The Chetak has a 3 kWh, IP67-rated battery pack. The electric motor makes 4 kW of power and 16 Nm of torque. The electric scooter has a claimed range of 95 km. It takes 5 hours to fully charge the battery pack.

Another great feature of the Chetak is its fully-digital LCD instrument cluster. It is an elegant circular unit which gels with the overall design of the electric scooter. It supports Bluetooth connectivity which allows customers to connect their smartphones and use several convenient features. Some of the other key elements of the Chetak include:

• Full-metal body
• Full-LED lighting
• Sequential pattern turn signals at the rear
• Keyless ignition system

Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar RS400 imagined - IAB Rendering

In related news, the deliveries of the Chetak have been delayed in India because of the COVID-19. Bajaj Auto will resume the deliveries of the new electric scooter in Q3 this year.

For more Bajaj Auto news and updates about other two-wheelers, keep checking IndianAutosBlog.com.

Bajaj Auto launched the Chetak in January 2020. It is the company's first electric scooter. Bookings for the Chetak were opened on 15 January 2020 and around 2,000 units were reserved in just 15 days.

As per the latest reports, the deliveries of the Chetak electric scooter have been delayed. Bajaj Auto planned to deliver all the units that were booked by 29 February 2020 by June. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the deliveries have now been delayed and these orders will be fulfilled by September.

India has been under a complete lockdown since 25 March 2020 to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. If the situation improves, the lockdown could be lifted on 3 May 2020. Just like other automobile manufacturers, Bajaj Auto has also halted its production plants in compliance with the Indian Govt’s orders. This is one of the primary reasons for the delay in the deliveries of the Chetak. Although some units of the electric scooters were delivered before the lockdown was enforced.

With the Chetak electric scooter, Bajaj Auto has revived the Chetak brand. This is the company’s first scooter in 14 years and thus, it was ensured that everything is spot on.

Chetak - Key Features

• Full-metal body
• Full-LED lighting
• Sequential pattern turn signals at the rear
• Bluetooth-enabled fully-digital LCD instrument cluster
• Keyless ignition system

The Chetak has a 3 kWh, IP67-rated battery pack. Its electric motor makes 4 kW of power and 16 Nm of torque. The electric scooter has a claimed range of 95 km. It takes 5 hours to fully charge the battery pack.

Also Read: Bajaj Pulsar RS200 gets dual-channel ABS with BS6 update

The Chetak is available in two variants - Urbane and Premium. The Urbane variant has drum brakes and is available in 2 colour options - Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Premium variant has a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear and comes in 4 colour options - Velutto Rosso, Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut, and Brooklyn Black.

For more Bajaj Auto news and updates about other two-wheelers, keep checking IndianAutosBlog.com.

[Source: pluginindia.com]

Also Read: India's fastest electric scooter Ather 450X launched at INR 99,000

The Chetak's test drives will be offered at 17 dealerships in Pune and Bengaluru, the only two places where it will be sold initially. The electric scooter will be sold in Urbane and Premium variants, via KTM outlets. The base (Urbane) variant is priced at INR 1,00,000*, while the Premium variant retails at INR 1,15,000*.

To give you a quick recap, the Chetak electric scooter features a full-metal body and can be purchased in six colours. The Urbane variant is available in Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Premium variant, on the other hand, can be bought in Velutto Rosso, Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut, and Brooklyn Black colours. Full LED lighting, sleek indicators with a sequential pattern at the rear, Bluetooth enabled LCD instrument cluster and keyless ignition system are the salient features of the new scooter.

The electric motor on the Chetak Electric makes 4 kW of power and 16 Nm of torque. It has a 3 kWh, IP67-rated battery pack that is claimed to deliver a range of 95 km. The electric scooter misses a fast charging feature, and a full charge takes 5 hours.

Also Read: BS-VI Bajaj Pulsar 150 Twin Disc revealed completely by YouTuber

In other updates, Bajaj Auto has commenced the BS-VI transition with the launch of the updated CT and Platina range. The company is expected to launch more BS-VI products in the coming weeks. Apart from updating its portfolio with BS-VI compliance, Bajaj Auto will also expand its range with the launch of a quarter-litre Dominar.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto confirms no electric motorcycle in the pipeline

According to the website, the deliveries of the lower-spec variant of the Chetak e-scooter (Urbane) are likely to start in May 2020. The Chetak Premium, on the other hand, will start to roll out from the dealerships from next month. The entry-level variant of the Chetak e-scooter is priced at INR 1,00,000*, while the Premium variant retails at INR 1,15,000*. What’s different between the two variants? Check out the table below:

The Chetak will be sold in Pune and Bengaluru in the initial phase, via select KTM dealerships – 14 in Bengaluru and 4 in Pune - and the new Customer Experience Center at Fergusson College Road, Pune. The e-scooter is backed by a three-year/50,000 km warranty, while the service interval stands at one-year/12,000 km. It comes with a complimentary Chetak Charger (installation charges extra).

To give you a recap, Bajaj Auto became the first major two-wheeler brand to enter into the electric vehicle segment of the Indian market. The Chetak e-scooter has a neo-retro styling that is enhanced by modern features such as full LED lighting, backlit switches and a Bluetooth-enabled digital instrument cluster.

Also Read: Chetak Vs. Ather 450 - Tech Spec Comparison

The Chetak mounts an electric motor that generates 4.08 kW of peak power (3.8kW of continuous output) and 16 Nm of maximum torque. The top-speed of the e-scooter is rated at 60 km/h. The 3 kWh battery pack promises a range of 95 km in Eco Mode and 85 km in Sport Mode.

*Ex-showroom

[Source: BikeDekho.com]

Also Read: Bajaj Auto working on Bajaj Dominar 250?

The Bajaj Chetak e-scooter will be sold at 14 KTM outlets in Bengaluru and 4 dealerships in Pune. The company’s website, however, currently (as on 17 January 2020) lists 13 outlets in Bengaluru. Check out the complete list in the table below:

Bajaj Auto has also inaugurated a Customer Experience Center at Fergusson College Road, Pune. The experience centre at Fergusson College Road will boast a self-serviced explanation of Chetak technology where visitors can get details about the vehicle by pointing an iPad at it.

Apart from offering the Chetak e-scooter via KTM dealerships, Bajaj Auto has also announced that it has operational service centres for the vehicle. The service centres will offer genuine spare parts and dedicated electric vehicle technicians.

The bookings for the Bajaj Chetak e-scooter have begun online for a reservation amount of INR 2,000. The test rides for the electric scooter will start from end-January 2020 while the deliveries are scheduled to begin from end-February 2020. In the first phase, the Chetak e-scooter will be available in Bengaluru and Pune only while rest of the cities are likely to get the vehicle later in the year.

The Bajaj Chetak e-scooter is available in two variants – Urbane and Premium. The two variants are distinguished by the paint options and the braking setup. Check out the complete list of differences between the two variants in the table below:

Also Read: Bajaj Auto confirms no electric motorcycle in the pipeline

The Bajaj Chetak e-scooter comes with a three-year/50,000 km warranty and long service intervals of one-year/12,000 km. The Chetak e-scooter will come with three free services. A complimentary Chetak Charger is also included in the ex-showroom price tag although the additional installation charges will be borne by the owner.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto confirms no electric motorcycle in the pipeline

The Bajaj Chetak e-Scooter will be sold through select KTM dealerships in Pune and Bengaluru. The electric scooter will be available via 14 KTM outlets in Bengaluru and 4 dealerships in Pune. The company has also inaugurated a brand new Customer Experience Center at Fergusson College Road, Pune. The experience centre will have a self-serviced explanation of Chetak technology. Visitors can point an iPad at the vehicle to get the product explanation.

To give you a recap, Bajaj Auto had unveiled the Chetak e-scooter in October last year while the vehicle was launched on 14 January. The Chetak e-scooter is available in two variants – Urbane and Premium – and six colour options. The Urbane trim is available in two paint options – Cyber White and Citrus Rush. The Premium version is offered in four colours – Hazelnut, Brooklyn Black, Velutto Rosso and Indigo Metallic. Check out the differences between the two variants in the table below:

The company has operational service centres for the Chetak e-scooter that will offer genuine spare parts and dedicated electric vehicle technicians. The scooter is backed by a three-year/50,000 km warranty. The service interval is one-year/12,000 km. Bajaj Auto will offer three free services with the Chetak e-scooter. Bajaj Auto will also offer a complimentary Chetak Charger with the e-scooter (installation charges extra). The mechanism misses fast-charging function, and a full recharge takes five hours. The battery can be charged to 25% in an hour.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto and Triumph Motorcycles may announce alliance on 24 January

The new Chetak e-scooter will rival the Ather 450. Ather Energy currently offers the Ather 450 electric scooter in Bengaluru and Chennai while the company targets to expand operations to Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR soon. The Ather 450 electric scooter is priced competitively, and it is available for INR 1,13,715 (on-road Bengaluru).

The Chetak Electric is positioned as an affordable and viable option for urban commuters and will be retailed in two variants – Urbane and Premium. Bajaj Auto is expected to launch a more powerful electric scooter with a 10 kW motor under the Husqvarna brand using the Chetak's platform by next year. This 10 kW motor may also be offered in the Chetak at a later date.

Interestingly, Bajaj Auto’s European partner KTM already sells an electric motorcycle in the international markets - the KTM Freeride EX-C. This model has a 3.9 kWh removable Lithium-ion battery and an electric motor that produces 18 kW (24.5 PS) of maximum power and 42 Nm of maximum torque. It offers three riding modes, including a limp home mode which kicks in when the battery drops below 10%.

Also Read: KTM to launch as many as 9 new models

However, a high price tag of EUR 11,290 (INR 8.90 lakh) makes it a very pricy proposition. The Austrian motorcycle maker will be launching a mini electric motorcycle with a 5 kW motor (KTM SX-E5) internationally later this year. However, the upcoming 4 kW Freeride Light may be seen as a probable starting point for a Bajaj electric motorcycle, if there is one in the making secretly.

The KTM 4 kW Freeride Light is expected to be launched in 2022. If Bajaj Auto can package it as an affordable India-centric motorcycle, it can have a winner in its hand.

Bajaj Auto had earlier said no to launching a scooter for several years till it had a disruptive product in hand. An affordable, lightweight electric motorcycle for everyday urban usage can be a perfect stepping stone for a Bajaj electric motorcycle.

Also Read: Hero MotoCorp makes trademark application for Freedo name

Also Read: Honda to start testing electric scooter in India in Q1 FY2021

Chetak vs. Ather 450 – Styling and Features

In terms of design, the new Chetak features a retro-styling that is inspired by the original Chetak scooter. The retro looks are enhanced by modern equipment such as full LED lighting, a digital display, backlit switchgear, keyless access and an onboard USB charger. The digital display is Bluetooth-enabled, and it works with a dedicated smartphone application that is available for Android as well as iOS. The smartphone app offers access to functions such as the unauthorized movement of the vehicle, accident detection and battery status. The Chetak electric also benefits from a full metal body.

Overall, the feature list makes a strong case for the Chetak electric scooter, although the Ather 450 packs even more functions.

The Ather 450 uses contemporary design and packs, even more advanced features such as 7-inch capacity touchscreen (IP65) with onboard navigation (map-style layout instead of turn-by-turn setup), app-based service booking, auto indicator cut-off, doorstep pick up and drop for service, guide me home lights and document storage on the dashboard. Full LED lighting also comes as standard on the Ather 450. The electric scooter from the Bengaluru-based brand uses ABS Plastic for the body.

Chetak vs. Ather 450 – Engine Performance and Battery

The Chetak's electric motor produces  4.08 kW (3.8 kW continuous)  and  16 Nm of maximum torque. It allows for a top speed of 60 km/h, irrespective of the riding mode (Eco or Sport) that is engaged. It benefits from Intuitive kickdown mode that comes handy for quick acceleration. The 3 kWh battery pack promises a range of 95 km in Eco Mode and 85 km in Sport Mode.

The Ather 450, on the other hand, packs more power. The electric motor on the Ather 450 boasts a higher peak power and maximum torque of 5.4 kW (3.3 kW continuous) and 20.5 Nm respectively. The top speed stands at 80 km/h (Sport mode)/65 km/h (Ride Mode)/45 km/h (Eco mode). The range is 75 km (Eco Mode)/65 km (Ride Mode)/55 km (Sport Mode).

The Ather 450 has an edge in terms of performance, while the Chetak boasts a longer range.

Chetak Vs. Ather 450 – Hardware

The Chetak uses a link-type front suspension at the front and a single-spring at the back to perform the shock absorption tasks. In the Urbane variant, has drum brakes on both wheels, while in the Premium variant, it uses a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear. The braking setup is at par with some of the other electric scooters in the Indian market, although the Ather 450 has a clear advantage in this department.

The Ather 450 uses disc brakes on both wheels as standard, which gives it better-stopping power. The shock absorption setup includes telescopic forks at the front and a mono-shock at the back. Unlike the Chetak electric, the Ather 450 is available in a single variant (as on 14 January). The Ather 340, theoretically a separate model but technically just a variant, was axed due to low demand. However, Ather Energy will soon introduce a new variant of the 450, the 450X, that promises better performance and connectivity than the standard scooter.

Chetak vs. Ather 450 – Price

The base variant (Urbane) of the Chetak is available at INR 1,00,000*, while the higher-spec variant (Premium) of the same electric scooter retails at INR 1,15,000*. These prices do not include insurance and registration charges. The Ather 450, on the other hand, is priced at INR 1,13,715 (on-road Bengaluru).

Also Read: Electric two-wheeler manufacturers learning to live without FAME-II subsidy

The higher performance numbers, more advanced features, massive charging infrastructure and a relatively lower price tag make a strong case for the Ather 450. Meanwhile, the Chetak electric has a nostalgic value, longer range and a retro-styling that makes it more desirable.

*Ex-showroom

Urbane has been positioned as a trendy and economical variant. So, it will be offered in two vibrant colours: Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Chetak Urbane is fitted with a black seat cover with grey stitching and feature chrome bezels in Siberian Silver shade. Both the floor mat and alloy wheel are in black and matte black respectively. The Urbane variant gets its stopping power from drum brakes.

In comparison, the Premium variant has a more elegant styling to go with its higher price. It will be retailed in Velutto Rosso, and Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut and Brooklyn Black shades. It gets chrome bezels in Satin Silver, seat cover bearing a tan look with light tan coloured stitching and dark grey floor mat. Also, the alloy wheels of this variant will be in Slate Grey or Satin Black.

Both the variants of the Chetak are powered by an electric motor which produces 4 kW and 16 Nm of torque and a 3 kWh Lithium-ion battery that is IP 67 rated and takes 5 hours to get fully charged. Besides that, both Chetak Urbane and Chetak Premium feature an LED headlamp, digital instrumentation, supporting smartphone application and keyless operation. The Premium variant, costing INR 15,000 more, is mechanically differentiated with a disc brake at the front.

Initially, the Chetak will be available only in two cities, Pune and Bengaluru. The former will have 4 dealerships, while the latter will have 13 dealerships, to begin with.

Also Read: Bajaj Auto working on Bajaj Dominar 250?

Bookings for the Chetak begin on 15 January 2020, for a deposit of INR 2,000. Its deliveries will begin in February 2020.

The reborn Chetak will be sold in two variants, Urbane (drum brakes) and Premium (front disc brake and metallic paint). Colour options for Chetak Urbane include Citrus Rush and Cyber White. The Chetak Premium will be offered in Velutto Rosso, and Indigo Metallic, Hazelnut, and Brooklyn Black colours. The Premium variant carries a slightly higher price tag of INR 1.15 lakh (ex-showroom).

The Chetak electric scooter features an LED headlamp surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped daytime running light, sleek indicators at the front and pseudo air vents at the front and rear and sequential turn indicators at the rear to reflect its neo-retro styling. Single-sided front suspension and single-sided swingarm give a premium touch to the scooter.

The Chetak is the Bajaj Auto's first scooter in 14 years. The company has interestingly avoided badging the Chetak Electric with the Bajaj logo. The scooter has a full metal body and offers keyless operation.

The Chetak houses a 3 kWh IP67 rated battery and an electric motor which produces 4 kW and 16 Nm of torque. The battery takes 5 hours to fully charge from a standard wall charger. Achieving 25% charging takes 1 hour. A complimentary charger is offered with the purchase of the electric scooter and installed by a trained Bajaj Auto technician at the customer’s house.

Also Read: Bajaj Chetak electric to be sold in only India initially, no plans for export

Bajaj Auto offers smartphone connectivity with the Chetak, with readouts for charge status, range, location, unauthorised movement (geofencing) and charging status. The company is also offering 1-year free data subscription free with the electric scooter.

The Chetak will be the first two-wheeler in the world to be soled completely digitally. A special experience centre for the Chetak has been set up at Fergusson Road, Pune. Bajaj Auto is also operating a dedicated call-centre. Chetak customers will have to simply dial +91-77090-84000 for any assistance. The Chetak will come with a 3 year or 50,000 km warranty (whichever is earlier). It will be offered with three free services which will be done yearly or after every 12,000 km.

Also Read: First Bajaj Chetak electric scooter showroom spotted in Pune

Most of the details about the upcoming electric scooter were announced in October 2019, when Bajaj Auto unveiled it in Delhi. The unveiling event was followed by the Chetak Yatra flag-off – a 3,000 km ride that took 20 Chetak electric scooters through North and Western India. The riders travelled from Delhi to Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Chetak Samarak in Chittorgarh, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Panaji before reaching Pune where the ride was concluded on 14 November 2019.

The Chetak electric scooter will be initially offered in Pune and Bengaluru before it is rolled out into other cities of the country. Bajaj Auto has no plans to take the Chetak electric to international markets in the near term. The company plans to offer the scooter throughout India before taking it overseas. It will use its learnings in India to introduce this model in the international markets.

In India, the Chetak electric scooter will compete with the Ather 450. To give you a quick recap, the upcoming electric scooter features retro-styling complemented by modern equipment such as full LED lighting, backlit switchgear and a Bluetooth-enabled instrument console. A smartphone app will track ride history and track the vehicle among other functions. The Chetak electric scooter will feature a steel-body and it will be offered in six colours.

Mechanical specifications will include an IP67-rated battery pack that will boast a maximum range of 100 km in Eco mode. Sport mode will bring down the range to 80 km. Owners will be able to recharge the EV using a standard household 5-15 amp electric outlet. Fast charging will not be available, at least not in the initial phase. The scooter will use an Intelligent Battery Management System to control charge and discharge. A regenerative braking system will also be part of the package.

Also Read: BS-VI Bajaj Dominar 400 spied, to be launched by March

Other hardware specifications include a single-sided suspension at the front and a single-sided spring at the back to handle the shock absorption duties. Stopping power comes from a disc brake at the front and a drum unit at the rear. The safety-net includes CBS.

Also Read: Chetak electric scooter live tracking feature demoed in real life

Speaking to Autocar Professional recently, Eric Vas, head of the Urbanite Division at Bajaj Auto, said that KTM AG had shown interest in selling the Chetak electric scooter in the European market in 2020. However, Bajaj Auto denied the request, stating that the company wants to first supply the electric scooter in India. The European electric two-wheeler market is expected to witness strong growth by 2025, and a budget-friendly product like the Chetak electric scooter should clock decent sales figures.

If you have been following the updates on the Chetak electric scooter, you would know that the vehicle will be first offered in Pune (Bajaj’s home turf) and Bengaluru in the first phase. The company would then start rolling out the vehicle to other cities in the country. Bajaj Auto further plans to use its learnings from the Indian market to introduce the model internationally. Regular followers would also know that KTM and Husqvarna would use the Chetak platform to introduce their own respective electric scooters. Meanwhile, back home, Bajaj Auto is also reportedly working on a high-performance version of the Chetak electric scooter.

The high-performance version of the Chetak electric scooter is still some time away. In the short term, the company is setting up showrooms to offer the electric scooter, and the first outlet (currently under development) was spotted in Pune, Maharashtra recently. The high-speed scooter market in India isn’t very big, but that does not concern the Pune-based electric two-wheeler brand. Below is Vas told the industrial publication on that matter:

It does not bother us because if you have a good product, then the market will expand eventually… It is important for us to remain adaptive and respond to that, rather than have a plan cast in stone. It is very easy for us to scale up and we can do it as we go along.

Also Read: Bajaj Chetak electric to get three-year/50,000 km warranty, 15,000 km service interval

The Bajaj Chetak electric scooter will be launched in January 2020 and the deliveries will start soon after. The biggest rival for the Chetak electric scooter will be the Ather 450 – a product that has been in the market for over a year now. The Ather 450 packs modern styling that is complemented by the 7-inch capacitive touchscreen display.

[Source: AutocarPro.in]

The over-aggressive push by the government further complicated things and left manufacturers as well as customers in a loop. 2020 though will have several legacy manufacturers introduce their electric scooters. The recent GST reduction for EVs as well as state government support will definitely make electric scooters more attractive in comparison to their internal combustion engine counterparts.

Below are the top 5 upcoming electric scooters in India that will blow your mind when launched this year:

1. Bajaj Chetak

Unveiled in October 2019, the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter will be commercially launched later this month. The scooter revives the nostalgic Chetak brand name with design cues of a retro-modern European offering.

The Bajaj Chetak Electric is shod with a horseshoe-shaped LED headlight with daytime running light. The instrumentation console is all-digital and the feather touch switchgear looks premium. Powering the 4 kW motor is a lithium-ion battery which can be charged by a standard wall mounted 5-15 Ampere outlet.

Bajaj Chetak is offered with two riding modes, Eco (100 km range) and Sport (80 km range). Charging the battery takes 5 hours, while 80% of the charge is achieved in just 3.5 hours. That’s not all, an hour of charge will give you 25 km of riding in Eco mode.

The suspension system includes a single-sided suspension at the front and a single-sided spring at the rear. Anchoring duties consist of a disc brake up front and a drum unit at the back. The Bajaj Chetak Electric is expected to be priced between INR 90,000 and INR 1.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: Is this Husqvarna electric scooter the Chetak twin headed to India?

2. TVS Creon

Showcased as a concept at Auto Expo 2018, the TVS Creon is expected to be launched around March 2020. However, we expect TVS to change the name of the production version of the scooter something else as well as tone down the design a bit.

The concept version of TVS Creon was powered by three lithium-ion battery and a 12 kW motor. It also boasted 3 custom riding modes. Also on offer will be GPS & navigation, geo-fencing, park assist, and anti-theft feature. The electric motor of TVS Creon can help it sprint from 0-60 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and has a range of 80 km. The battery can charge up to 80% in 60 minutes.

Cycle parts include lightweight aluminium perimeter frame, telescopic fork up front, and a spring-based bottom-linked monoshock in the rear. Pricing details are at the moment are sketchy but we expect the production version of TVS Creon to be priced at around INR 1.5 lakh (ex-showroom).

Also Read: Top 5 upcoming modern motorcycles to be priced under INR 2 lakh

3. Mahindra Gusto Electric

Mahindra may have failed to make a mark among the internal combustion engine commuter two-wheelers but it does not want to be left behind in the race towards an electric future. Several media reports suggest that Mahindra will be launching its first electric scooter before Auto Expo 2020 next month.

With the petrol-powered Gusto 110 and Gusto 125 already discontinued, the Gusto Electric is the next logical step. Back in 2017, Anand Mahindra had even teased a prototype of Gusto Electric on social media. The word on the street is that the Mahindra Gusto Electric will be powered by a 3 kW motor. It will have a top speed of 55 to 60 km/h and a maximum range of 80 km.

Cycle parts of the Mahindra Gusto Electric will be possibly borrowed from the Mahindra Gusto 125. These include the telescopic fork up front and spring-based rear suspension. Besides that, the scooter will also possibly bear the same front disc and rear drum setup. We expect the Mahindra Gusto Electric to be priced near the INR 1 lakh mark (ex-showroom).

Also Read: Ather introduces lease program for its e-scooters

4. Blacksmith B3

Chennai-based electric vehicle manufacturer Blacksmith showcased the B3 electric scooter in August 2019. A launch timeline has not been officially revealed but we expect the first scooters to hit the streets by mid-2020. The B3 also flaunts one of the most unusual designs seen in the country.

Powering the Blacksmith B3 is a 5 kW AC motor fed by a 72-volt NMC battery (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide battery). Full charging takes 4 hours and the scooter has a maximum speed of 120 km/h. It has a range of 120 km and a capability to climb a gradient of 25-degrees. The electric scooter accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 3.6 seconds.

Cycle parts include conventional telescopic fork up front and twin springs at the rear. Features include LED projector headlamp, GPS, a unique seat belt for kids and a side stand & occupant sensor. Besides that, the Blacksmith B3 also boasts loading capacity of 200 kg and a healthy ground clearance of 210 mm.

Pricing details of the Blacksmith B3 will be released closer to the launch.

5. New Ather Energy scooter

Hero MotoCorp-backed Ather Energy will be launching a new electric scooter in 2020. This new scooter is the last name in the upcoming electric scooters in India. It will be positioned below the Ather 450 and will have the same range of 75 km along with connected riding features.

We expect the new affordable electric scooter to borrow several cues from the Ather 340 that was discontinued due to low demand. The Ather 340 had a 4.4 motor In comparison, the Ather 450 mounts a 5.4 kW motor. The Ather 340 could accelerate from standstill to 40 km/h in 5.1 seconds and had a top whack of 70 km/h.

Expect the new Ather electric scooter to be launched around December 2020 and carry a sticker price under INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom).

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