Bajaj has revealed the all-new Chetak scooter for India. The Chetak brand is coming back to life in scooter form after 14 years of interval, and this time, it is an electric scooter. We all know that there is an electric revolution currently in the Indian two-wheeler space, and Bajaj wants a piece of this pie with their most iconic product ever. Back in the day, Bajaj Auto had sold more than 1.3 crore units of the Chetak scooter, which speaks volumes about the faith this brand had in the mass market. Time will tell if it is the Chetak which creates mass acceptance for electric scooters in India.
The 2020 Bajaj Chetak will be sold in 6 body colour options. The design is typical of a scooter, but more of a modern classic. This scooter can be priced very close to the Piaggio Vespa range of scooters, which come with a petrol motor by the way. So things could get very exciting in the scooter segment, especially as both the scooters have nostalgia attached. The Bajaj Chetak electric will also get smartphone connectivity via bluetooth with an app.
Features of the 2020 Bajaj Chetak electric include horseshoe shaped LED headlamp, LED DRLs, dynamic LED turn indicators, feather touch for the switch gear, digital instrument cluster, soft-open function for the glovebox and a seat damping close mechanism. Apart from this the scooter will get subtle chrome accents, alloy wheels with rim stripes, pillion grab rail, contoured seat, luggage hooks, front disc brake, telescopic front fork, rear drum brake, tubeless tyres, contrast stitching on the seats.
While outright specifications are unknown, Bajaj reveals that the new Chetak electric will come with an IP67 rated lithium-ion battery. This would integrate NCA cells and the battery can be charged making use of 5-15 amp charging points. There will also be an Intelligent Battery Management System (IBMS) which will manage the charge and discharge of the battery system. Bajaj will also be offering a good looking charging station for your home, at an extra cost.
The Chetak electric will get Eco & Sport riding modes along with regenerative braking system. The heat generated during braking will be converted to kinetic energy which will then be stored in the battery, in effect which will increase the range of the scooter. Of course, this is an electric, and unlike the old Chetak, the electric model will get an automatic gearbox. The 2020 electric Chetak will also get a reverse assist mode when moving the scooter in parking situation or in traffic. The scooter will ride on a metal body with tubular single sided swingarm and rigid frame.
Did you know that the old Chetak scooter had waiting period up to 10 years. And the resale value of the old Chetak scooter is now much higher than the original buying price. We’re very happy to welcome the Chetak brand back to the Indian streets. The official launch of the new electric Chetak is expected in January 2020, and the pricing is going to be premium, but not exorbitant like the Ather range of scooters.
