Bajaj Auto is the third-largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world. Also, the company is very popular in the global markets and currently stands as the largest two-wheeler exporter in India. Bajaj mostly makes motorcycles, however, earlier this year, the company re-entered the scooter segment of India with the launch of the Bajaj Chetak EV. The Chetak EV is currently manufactured at Bajaj's Chakan plant near Pune in Maharashtra. But, Bajaj is now planning to move its EV manufacturing plant out of Maharashtra.
Recently in an interview to CNBC TV18, Mr Rajiv Bajaj - Managing Director of Bajaj Auto said that the company wants to set up a dedicated plant for EV manufacturing with a capacity of 5 lakh vehicles. There are three locations under consideration which includes Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The Bajaj supremo said that although Maharashtra would always be their first choice, the company is planning to move its EV line somewhere else due to recent developments. He also praised the recently introduced 2020 Electric Vehicle policies of the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi Government.
Also Read: Skoda Karoq Almost Sold Out in India in Just Six Months - All Details
Another reason why Bajaj is planning to move its EV manufacturing plant out of Maharashtra is that he is currently disappointed by the Maharashtra government's approach towards the brand. Here is what Mr Rahul Bajaj said, "Our first choice would always be Maharashtra because it becomes extremely convenient for us. The Maharashtra government did allocate us additional land that we referred to as Chakan-2 and we have been delayed in developing that land in terms of a factory as the project has been a little delayed."
He further added, "Maharashtra government has presented the company with two choices, either the company hands back a significant portion of the land that is currently allocated or pay a whole lot more for that land. I am a little disappointed that instead of supporting us, if not incentivising us, the Maharashtra government wants to levy a penalty on us because we were admittedly a little late." Bajaj has currently only one electric scooter in its portfolio - Bajaj Chetak and it is sold only in Pune and Bengaluru. Mr Bajaj also said that so far 600 units of Chetak have been sold in India.
Also Read: 2020 Ford EcoSport BS6 Price Hiked - Check Out The New Price List Here!
The company plans to add new electric vehicles in its portfolio and will also manufacture the upcoming EVs from KTM and Husqvarna in its dedicated EV plant. Moreover, the company wants to expand its retail operations of Bajaj Chetak across all major cities within the next 12 months. What are your thoughts on this and according to you, where Bajaj should set-up its dedicated EV manufacturing plant? Do tell us in the comments below. You can also join our 91Wheels Auto Enthusiast group (click via mobile to join) curated exclusively for the fans, enthusiasts and the owners. Further, subscribe to our YouTube channel for more such amazing motoring updates.
