The evening traffic on Pune’s Fergusson College Road pulses with the usual cacophony of horns and exhausts. Amid this urban symphony, the silence is what makes the Bajaj Chetak EV so striking.
Gliding through gaps between cars with only the gentlest whir from its electric motor, this modern interpretation of India’s most beloved scooter creates a peculiar juxtaposition—cutting-edge technology wrapped in deeply nostalgic design cues.
After spending two weeks with the Chetak EV across city commutes and weekend explorations, I’ve gained perspective on how successfully Bajaj has translated a cultural icon into a contemporary electric offering.
The Weight of Heritage
Few vehicles carry the historical significance of the Bajaj Chetak in the Indian context. The original, produced from 1972 to 2006, wasn’t merely transportation but a cultural touchstone that symbolized middle-class aspiration and mobility.
With a waiting period that sometimes stretched to years and a durability that earned it the nickname “Hamara Bajaj” (Our Bajaj), the Chetak established a legacy that creates both opportunity and challenge for its electric successor.
Rather than rushing into the electric mobility space, Bajaj took the deliberate approach of reviving their most prestigious nameplate for their EV debut.
“The decision to use the Chetak name wasn’t taken lightly,” explains Rajiv Bajaj during a press interaction. “We weren’t just launching an electric scooter; we were reintroducing an institution. That required getting every detail right.”
This weight of heritage is immediately apparent in the design, which eschews the overtly futuristic aesthetic common to many electric vehicles in favor of classic scooter proportions with contemporary refinement.
It’s a scooter that draws appreciative glances from both young tech enthusiasts and nostalgic elders—a cross-generational appeal few vehicles manage to achieve.
Design: Respectful Evolution
Parked under the morning sun outside a Pune café, the Chetak EV’s design reveals careful consideration of how to honor its ancestry while avoiding retro clichés.
The overall silhouette maintains the rounded profile and flowing lines that defined the original, but with tighter proportions and more precise detailing that speaks to modern manufacturing capabilities.
The front apron features a clean, minimalist approach with elegant curves rather than the aggressive angles common to contemporary scooters.
LED headlamps and DRLs integrate seamlessly into this design, providing modern illumination without disrupting the classic aesthetic. The characteristic “horse-collar” shape remains recognizable but refined.
Moving rearward, the side panels continue the theme of simplicity with subtle character lines that catch light beautifully. The seat presents a single-piece design with gentle contours rather than the stepped profile typical of modern scooters.
The rear section integrates LED taillights in a horseshoe pattern that echoes the front design language, creating visual cohesion.
Color options include Indigo Metallic, Hazel Nut, Brooklyn Black, and the signature Chetak Ivory—each with a premium metallic finish that enhances the scooter’s upmarket positioning.
The Indigo Metallic of my test unit proved particularly striking, shifting between deep blue and purple depending on lighting conditions.
Perhaps most impressive is the overall build quality and attention to detail. Panel gaps remain consistent throughout, with even the battery compartment lid fitting flush in a way that suggests this is a premium product rather than merely an eco-friendly alternative.
Metal body panels—increasingly rare in a segment dominated by plastic—contribute to both the premium feel and the scooter’s substantial 128 kg weight.
Engineering: Electric Adaptation
Under the classic-inspired bodywork lies thoroughly modern engineering. The Chetak EV features a hub-mounted 4.08 kW electric motor (peak output) producing 16 Nm of torque.
This motor draws power from a non-removable 3.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned under the seat, with an advertised range of 95 km in Eco mode and 85 km in Sport mode.
The powertrain delivers that characteristic electric instantaneous torque, making the Chetak surprisingly responsive in urban traffic scenarios.
Acceleration from standstill to 40 kmph—the range most relevant for city riding—feels brisk and confident, allowing easy integration with flowing traffic.
Beyond this speed, acceleration becomes more gradual, with a top speed limited to 70 kmph—adequate for urban environments but limiting for those who regularly travel on faster peripheral roads.
The riding modes create genuinely different characters. Eco mode caps speed at 60 kmph and softens throttle response to maximize range, while Sport offers the full performance envelope with more immediate power delivery.
During my testing across Pune’s varied road conditions, I found myself using Sport for morning commutes when traffic was lighter, switching to Eco for the congested evening return journey—a practical compromise between engagement and efficiency.
The suspension setup combines a trailing link front layout (rather than the telescopic forks common to most modern scooters) with a single-sided swingarm and monoshock at the rear.
This somewhat unconventional front arrangement pays homage to the original Chetak while delivering surprisingly refined ride quality.
The 12-inch wheels at both ends, shod with tubeless tires, provide stability absent from scooters with smaller wheel diameters.
Braking comes from a disc up front and drum at the rear, with a combined braking system that activates both when the rear brake is applied.
Stopping power proves adequate rather than exceptional, with reasonable modulation but requiring somewhat firm lever pressure for maximum effect.
During one particularly chaotic moment when an auto-rickshaw made an unexpected turn near Koregaon Park, the braking system inspired sufficient confidence to avoid drama, if not quite matching the immediate response of high-performance setups.
Living with Electricity: Range and Charging
For potential EV adopters, range anxiety remains the primary concern, and the Chetak addresses this with a conservative but realistic approach.
Bajaj claims 95 km in Eco mode, and my experience largely validated this figure. A typical week of commuting between Aundh and Magarpatta City (approximately 20 km each way) required charging every three days—a workable arrangement for urban users with regular access to charging infrastructure.
Charging comes via a standard 5A domestic power socket, with the bundled charger requiring approximately 5 hours for a complete recharge.
Unlike some competitors, Bajaj doesn’t offer fast charging capability—a limitation for those without overnight charging access but less relevant for the typical usage pattern of home charging during evening hours.
The absence of a removable battery means charging necessarily occurs at the scooter rather than bringing the battery to a power source—potentially problematic for apartment dwellers without designated parking containing power outlets.
During testing, I arranged a temporary extension cord to my apartment building’s parking area—a workable but not ideal solution that highlights infrastructure challenges still facing electric two-wheeler adoption in many Indian housing situations.
The Chetak’s battery management system includes overcharging protection and temperature management, addressing common concerns about battery longevity.
Bajaj offers a 3-year/50,000 km warranty on the battery, providing reasonable assurance against premature degradation, though long-term performance remains the great unknown for all contemporary EVs.
The Riding Experience: Electric Refinement
Thumb the starter and… nothing happens, at least audibly. Only a subtle illumination on the digital console indicates the Chetak is ready for action.
This initial silence represents the first of many adjustments for riders transitioning from conventional scooters to the electric experience.
Moving off, the absence of vibration and mechanical noise creates an almost eerie serenity. The throttle response feels direct and linear in Sport mode, with none of the hesitation sometimes experienced with ICE scooters’ CVT transmissions.
This responsiveness proves particularly valuable in Pune’s notoriously aggressive traffic, where quick acceleration from traffic lights can secure valuable space before the inevitable compression begins.
The riding position suits a wide range of physiques, with a comfortable seat height of 780mm and well-placed handlebars that don’t require excessive reach.
The floorboard offers generous space for varying foot positions during longer rides. During a weekend excursion to Lavasa, the ergonomics remained comfortable throughout the winding 60 km route, though the limited range necessitated careful planning to ensure sufficient charge for the return journey.
Handling characteristics reveal thoughtful chassis development. Despite its 128 kg weight—heavier than many ICE competitors—the Chetak feels remarkably balanced at both low and moderate speeds.
The weight distribution, lower thanks to the battery position, creates stability without sacrificing maneuverability in tight urban spaces.
Even when navigating the narrow, crowded lanes of Pune’s old city areas, the Chetak remained manageable if not quite as flickable as lighter alternatives.
Perhaps most impressive is the ride quality. The trailing link front suspension, often maligned in modern scooter design, delivers surprising compliance over broken urban roads.
Where many electric scooters transmit every imperfection directly to the rider, the Chetak maintains composure over all but the most severe obstacles. This refinement contributes significantly to the premium feel Bajaj clearly targeted with this offering.
Features and Technology: Modern Convenience
The Chetak’s technology package centers around a circular digital instrument console that displays speed, battery level, range estimation, and riding mode.
The monochrome display offers excellent visibility even in bright sunlight, though it lacks the color graphics or map functionality found in some premium competitors.
Connectivity comes via the Chetak mobile application, enabling features like ride statistics, charge status monitoring, and location tracking.
The application proved generally reliable during testing, though occasional connection issues required app restarts to reestablish the link with the scooter.
Practical features include a glove compartment in the front apron, though it’s only large enough for essentials like a wallet and phone.
Under-seat storage, compromised by the battery placement, accommodates a half-face helmet but not a full-size one—a limitation shared with many electric scooters but nonetheless disappointing for grocery runs or short shopping trips.
The premium variants include additional conveniences like a front storage pocket light, seat backrest, and metallic color options.
All versions feature keyless operation, where a proximity fob enables starting without traditional key insertion—occasionally convenient but sometimes finicky when the fob is buried deep in a pocket or bag.
Market Positioning and Pricing
With pricing between ₹1.42 lakh and ₹1.44 lakh (ex-showroom), the Chetak positions itself decidedly at the premium end of the electric scooter market.
This places it against established competitors like the Ather 450X and TVS iQube, as well as newer entrants like Ola’s S1 Pro.
This pricing strategy reflects Bajaj’s decision to prioritize quality and brand value over affordability—a strategy that distinguishes the Chetak from budget-oriented electric offerings.
The price point, while substantial, includes intangible value in the heritage nameplate and tangible benefits in build quality that cheaper alternatives often sacrifice.
For perspective, a premium 125cc ICE scooter typically costs between ₹80,000-₹90,000—substantially less than the Chetak’s asking price.
This premium requires potential buyers to value the electric drivetrain’s reduced running costs and environmental benefits, along with the Chetak’s distinctive design and heritage value.
Bajaj Chetak EV come in spoty look for Girls
The Bajaj Chetak EV successfully balances three competing priorities: honoring its heritage, delivering a refined electric experience, and establishing a premium position in an increasingly crowded market.
It doesn’t try to outperform sportier alternatives like the Ather 450X, nor does it chase the value proposition of budget-oriented options.
Instead, it creates its own niche—offering sophisticated design, quality construction, and adequate performance in a package that appeals to both nostalgic riders who remember the original and younger environmentally-conscious urbanites seeking stylish transportation.
Its limitations in range and top speed will restrict its appeal to those with specific urban usage patterns, but for its intended purpose, the Chetak delivers a convincing interpretation of electric mobility with authentic character.
Like its namesake from decades past, this modern Chetak doesn’t try to be all things to all people. Instead, it focuses on doing a specific job with dignity and refinement—urban transportation with style, efficiency, and a connection to India’s automotive heritage.
In that focused mission, it succeeds admirably, setting a standard for how legacy brands can meaningfully transition to the electric future without abandoning the values that made them iconic in the first place.