UPDATE: 2020 Bajaj Chetak e-scooter: 5 things to know
Bajaj recently took the wraps off the first product under its new Urbanite business vertical. The vehicle in question is an electrified version of the Chetak scooter, which is a hugely recognisable name tag in the Indian auto world, but one that hasn’t been used for roughly 14 years.
The Bajaj Chetak has only been unveiled so far and has its launch planned for January 2020. And while many details about the e-scooter have been revealed now, there are some things we don’t know yet. What we do know is that the Chetak will get a 4kW electric motor and that it uses a unique automated transmission. The lithium-ion battery pack is non-removable, but Bajaj claims a real-world range of 95km in Eco Mode and 85km in Sport mode. You can read more about the Chetak here.
The Chetak is being positioned as a premium product and extra attention has been paid to the smaller details like the ‘feather touch’ switchgear, full-LED lighting, digital console and high quality of materials used in areas like the mirror stalks, side stand and flush-fitting pillion foot pegs. Clearly, Bajaj is positioning this as a premium product and the price will reflect that.
Bajaj is saving the price information for when the scooter is closer to launch, which we are told will be in January 2020. However, company MD Rajiv Bajaj mentioned at the event that the price will be attractive but not aggressive, and he went on to say that it certainly won’t cost as much as Rs 1.5 lakh.
According to the company, the attractive aspect of the price will be possible because they have achieved the level of localisation required for it; this, however, doesn’t provide too much clarity on the price. There are some costs saving measures like the use of a rear drum brake and a simple digital display, rather than a TFT, that lead us to believe the Chetak certainly won't cost Rs 1.5 lakh. The scooter also qualifies for the FAME II subsidy. However, whether it will be priced around the Rs 1 lakh mark, under, or over it is the bigger question. For reference, the Ather 450, which will be the Chetak’s closest rival, is priced at Rs 1.13 lakh (on-road, Bengaluru).
What do you think a fair price would be for the Chetak? Let us know in the comments below.
Rishaad Mody
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
