Bajaj Chetak E-Scooter Pros And Cons: Strong Player Or Just Enough?

Bajaj Chetak rings a bell in the minds of both the young as well as people from a generation above. Such is the effect of this iconic moniker, which has been a household name since its inception. Fast forward to today, its electric version is here reviving the legacy but in a sustainable way. The question however remains, is it still the good solid scooter that it once was? The answer to that question will be unearthed after this section is over. But before that, make sure to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel, specifically curated for all the avid petrolheads with extensive coverage of the latest news and insights from the automotive space.

Also Read- Bajaj Pulsar 150 Key Features Explained- Here's All You Get!

PROS

1. Proper Scooter Feel With Excellent Fit And Finish

The electric Bajaj Chetak stands out for its solid build quality and excellent fit and finish. Its construction reflects a high level of attention to detail, contributing to a well-crafted and durable vehicle. While the scooters in the segment are going for more contemporary and sporty aesthetics, the Bajaj Chetak gives you the iconic proper scooter design that still looks appealing in these modern times.

2. Extensive Dealership Network

The EV scooter saga has mostly been concentrated around new players disrupting the commuter scooter market with their electric scooters. The conventional players are setting foot here as well, but they have a lot of inhibitions to break and overcome existing barriers to making a viable market-ready scooter, which is generally a time-consuming process. But once it enters the scene, like the Bajaj (and for that matter, the TVS), they counter the biggest deterrent of the buyers, which is the availability of a widespread service center network. Since Bajaj already has a solid penetration covering up to the tier-3 cities, the trust is already there for a new product to take off fast.

3. Well-Equipped with Modern Features

Bajaj Chetak is pretty well equipped with all the modern features that make it a strong contender in its class with a few more with the Tec Pac. You get a Smart key fob, LED lighting, a colored TFT display, reverse mode, Hill-hold Assist, App connectivity, Call management, geo-fencing, music control, sports, and eco mode, and much more. In short, while it does revive the good ol' Chetak moniker from the past, the electric version carries enough spark!

CONS

1. Not Enough Range

The Bajaj Chetak comes with 3 variants, whereas the Chetak Premium, which is the top-spec variant, comes with just a range of 126 km on a single charge. This is a faraway figure from some of its key rivals like the Ola S1 Pro which claims a 195 km range or the TVS iQube ST which claims a 150 km range on a single charge. It would be a deal breaker for those who commute daily on longer routes.

2. Single Battery Pack Option With Each Trim

Another forced selection comes from the fact that you get a single battery pack option with each trim. This is another shortcoming that the Chetak lives with (or its customers, to be precise). You go for the base trim, you don't get any choice of battery packs, which is fine, until you get to the top-spec Chetak Premium with the Tec Pac, and you see that still, you don't have any option for the battery capacity of your choice. With 2024 past the halfway mark, customers want flexibility in choice and budget, which this scooter failed to offer.

Also Read: Bajaj Dominar 400 Vs Rivals: Detailed Comparison To Find The Best

3. Underseat Storage Could Be Better

While the boot space of the Chetak has been improved since its first launch, I think, keeping in mind the competition, especially the latest Ather Rizta, the luggage space could have been better. While it is decent enough currently, keeping in mind the hefty price tag of Rs. 1.47 lakhs ex-showroom, a lot more is expected from a scooter of its price range.