New Affordable Bajaj Chetak Variant In The Works

Bajaj Auto is set to expand its electric vehicle lineup with a new, more affordable variant of the popular Chetak scooter. Rajiv Bajaj, the company's Managing Director, recently confirmed this development in an interview with an Indian publication.

The new Chetak model will be built on a fresh platform and features a different battery pack. This announcement follows recent sightings of a prototype being tested on public roads.

Bajaj also revealed plans to update the entire Chetak range with new battery cells from a different supplier. This move aims to improve efficiency and range across the lineup.

Currently, the Bajaj Chetak holds an 18 per cent market share in the electric scooter segment, rivalling the TVS iQube in sales. The company expects to launch the new affordable variant after the festive season.

The existing Chetak recently received updates, including the limited edition 3201 and the more budget-friendly 2901 variant. The 3201 model, despite using the same 3.2 kWh battery as the Premium version, offers an increased range of 136 km, up from 126 km, due to more efficient battery cells.

While details are limited, the upcoming affordable Chetak is expected to maintain the scooter's retro-inspired design. It may feature a smaller 2.78 kWh battery, similar to the pre-2024 Chetak Urbane, and could use a hub motor instead of a BLDC motor. This configuration may result in a reduced range compared to the current Urbane's 113 km claim.

Bajaj Auto's expansion of the Chetak line is part of its broader growth strategy for FY24-25, which includes recent launches like the world's first CNG motorcycle and the largest Pulsar model to date.