KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- More affordable Bajaj Chetak EV spied testing
- Can be noticed with a hub-mounted motor
- Read more details below
Bajaj Auto is set to expand its popular Bajaj Chetak EV electric scooter lineup by introducing a low-cost variant equipped with a hub motor, aiming to make electric mobility more accessible to a wider range of customers. Recent spy shots confirm the testing of this new Chetak variant, which is expected to further boost sales and capitalize on the Chetak brand's success in the electric scooter market, where it sold over 7,000 units in June 2023.
Let's delve a little deeper into the details and find out what it aims to offer.
Lower Variant Of Bajaj Chetak EV Spied Testing
The spy shots of the test scooter reveal no significant design alterations, maintaining the Chetak's sleek and attractive appearance. While Bajaj might explore cost-saving measures, such as transitioning from metal to plastic bodywork, this shift could impact Chetak's distinctive metal body, and the implications from a manufacturing perspective remain to be confirmed. The balance between design and cost-saving measures will likely depend on future developments.
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Bajaj has already secured homologation for this setup in a single variant, although the testing revealed one of the Chetak scooters had a hub motor while the other didn't. However, type-approval documents indicate a single variant, suggesting that both the Base and Premium trims could be equipped with the same hub motor setup, or possibly, only the Base trim will offer it. This approach aims to reduce costs and streamline the system while also potentially reducing the scooter's weight. The hub motor in question features Permanent Magnet Synchronous (PMS) architecture, and it's integrated into a new double-sided rear swingarm for mounting.
Changes To Expect
The test mule doesn't exhibit any noticeable changes in its components or design when compared to the current Chetak model. It retains features such as a full metal body, LED lighting, an LCD digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth connectivity, and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates. The scooter's dimensions include a length of 1894 mm, width of 725 mm, height of 1132 mm, and a wheelbase of 1330 mm, with a gross weight of 283 kg. The new Bajaj Chetak with the hub motor is expected to be launched in 2024.
The battery in the upcoming hub motor-equipped Bajaj Chetak appears to be the same unit with a capacity of 2.884 kWh (marketed as 2.9 kWh), of which 2.489 kWh is usable. The scooter's top speed is expected to be around 60 km/h, slightly lower than the current Chetak's 63 km/h. Due to the way torque is measured in hub motors, Bajaj may quote an impressive figure for the new model. The type-approval document indicates a claimed range of 108 km, which is consistent with the range figures of the current Chetak on sale.
Verdict
Bajaj is developing a more affordable version of the Chetak electric scooter by incorporating a cost-effective hub motor. The scooter retains its sleek design, but there may be a probable shift from metal to plastic bodywork. This simplification of the scooter's components is expected to bring down costs, making it accessible to a broader market. While maintaining essential features like LED lighting, digital instruments, and connectivity, this new variant aims to offer affordability without compromising on the core offering. Also, join our Whatsapp Group Community of petrolheads to find out more exciting news like this.
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