Bajaj New Chetak: Few vehicles have embedded themselves into India’s cultural fabric quite like the original Bajaj Chetak. Named after the legendary horse of 16th-century Rajput ruler Maharana Pratap, the Chetak scooter transported families, built businesses, and facilitated courtships across the subcontinent for decades.
When production finally ceased in 2005, it marked the end of an era—one where the phrase “Hamara Bajaj” (Our Bajaj) resonated as more than mere advertising but as a genuine expression of national identity.
When Bajaj announced the resurrection of this storied nameplate for its first electric vehicle in 2019, the move represented more than a nostalgic marketing ploy.
It signaled a bold statement of intent from India’s traditional two-wheeler giant—a commitment that its transition to electric mobility would preserve the core values that made the original Chetak an institution while embracing the technological possibilities of the electric age.
Bajaj New Chetak A Design That Honors Heritage While Embracing Modernity
The New Chetak’s design philosophy immediately reveals its dual commitment to heritage and progress. Unlike many electric scooters that embrace futuristic aesthetics at the expense of familiar form, Bajaj’s approach maintains distinctly classical proportions and silhouettes while refining them through contemporary execution.
The rounded headlamp—now featuring LED technology—echoes the distinctive face of the original, while the apron’s clean curves and metal body panels provide visual continuity with its predecessor.
Yet these familiar elements receive thoroughly modern treatment, with flush surfaces, tight panel gaps, and premium finishes that elevate the execution beyond mere retro pastiche.
This balance continues throughout the design. The single-sided front suspension presents a clean face while subtly referencing the trailing-link setup of the original. The characteristic horse-shoe shaped taillight, now rendered in LEDs, provides an instantly recognizable signature when illuminated at night.
The saddle-shaped seat offers a contemporary interpretation of the classic scooter profile while incorporating improved ergonomics and materials.
What distinguishes the New Chetak from other retro-inspired designs is its restraint. While competitors often rely on excessive chrome and overt vintage styling cues, Bajaj’s execution feels refreshingly confident—content to suggest rather than shout its heritage connections.
This subtle approach extends to color choices, with sophisticated metallic finishes like Indigo Blue and Hazelnut replacing the more predictable pastel palette typically associated with retro designs.
The scooter’s physical presence surprises many first-time viewers expecting typical electric vehicle proportions. Rather than the toy-like dimensions of many urban electric scooters, the New Chetak maintains substantial physical presence with appropriate scale and gravitas.
This dimensional confidence contributes significantly to its premium positioning, distinguishing it from more utilitarian electric alternatives.
Engineering Excellence in the Electric Age
Beneath its meticulously crafted exterior, the New Chetak employs engineering solutions that prioritize refinement and durability over headline-grabbing specifications.
The powertrain centers around a mid-mounted electric motor producing a modest 4.08 kW (5.47 hp) of peak power and 16 Nm of torque—figures that appear conservative compared to some competitors but prove perfectly calibrated for real-world urban use.
This motor connects to the rear wheel through a highly efficient automated gearbox rather than the direct drive typical of most electric scooters.
This unconventional approach yields several benefits: smoother power delivery, improved hill-climbing ability, and reduced motor stress during varied riding conditions.
The resulting ride quality feels exceptionally polished, with progressive acceleration that builds confidently rather than the sometimes jerky response common to direct-drive systems.
Power comes from a 3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned beneath the floorboard, contributing to the scooter’s low center of gravity. While this capacity might seem limited compared to some alternatives, Bajaj’s engineering team has prioritized charging efficiency and battery longevity over maximum range.
The pack utilizes an intelligent battery management system that monitors individual cell health, temperature regulation, and charging patterns to maximize service life—reportedly maintaining at least 80% capacity after 70,000 kilometers of use.
Range varies according to riding mode, with Eco delivering approximately 95 kilometers of city riding and Sport mode reducing this to around 75 kilometers.
While these figures won’t satisfy long-distance commuters, they comfortably accommodate typical urban usage patterns where charging can occur during overnight hours.
A standard household outlet requires approximately 5 hours for a full charge, while public fast-charging stations can deliver an 80% charge in roughly 60 minutes.
Perhaps most impressive from an engineering perspective is the chassis construction. Unlike many electric scooters built around tubular frames with plastic body panels, the New Chetak employs a rigid steel monocoque structure with metal bodywork.
This construction methodology not only contributes to the premium feel but delivers tangible benefits in stability, weather resistance, and long-term durability—qualities that reflect Bajaj’s understanding of Indian operating conditions where vehicles frequently remain in service for decades rather than years.
The Riding Experience: Electric Sophistication
Throw a leg through the New Chetak’s distinctive frame, and the first impression is one of solidity. The riding position accommodates a wide range of physiques, with a seat height that balances accessibility with comfortable leg extension.
Switchgear operation feels precise, with logically positioned controls that include a rotary drive mode selector and intuitive toggle switches for auxiliary functions.
Press the start button, and the most noticeable sensation is the absence of sensation—no vibration, no mechanical components springing to life.
Only a subtle illumination change in the instrument panel signals readiness. This understated startup experience provides a fitting introduction to the Chetak’s refined character.
Rolling throttle produces immediate but carefully modulated response, with the electric motor delivering smooth, linear acceleration from standstill.
In Eco mode, power delivery feels gentle and progressive, prioritizing efficiency over urgency. Switch to Sport, and the character transforms noticeably, with more immediate throttle response and sustained acceleration that easily keeps pace with urban traffic.
The chassis delivers equally polished dynamics. The single-sided front suspension might appear to be a stylistic choice, but it provides remarkably sophisticated damping characteristics, absorbing minor road imperfections while maintaining stability during more challenging surface conditions.
The rear monoshock, hidden beneath the bodywork, continues this theme with well-calibrated compression and rebound settings that balance comfort with control.
Cornering behavior exhibits confidence-inspiring neutrality, with the low center of gravity contributing to effortless transitions between left and right bends.
The 12-inch wheels strike an effective compromise between nimbleness and stability, while the specially developed tires provide surprising grip even on wet surfaces—an important consideration during monsoon conditions.
Braking performance matches this dynamic competence, with the front disc and rear drum combination delivering progressive stopping power.
The regenerative braking system deserves particular mention for its natural feel—avoiding the artificial or grabby sensation that plagues many electric two-wheelers. The Chetak’s system recovers energy during deceleration while maintaining intuitive modulation that experienced riders will appreciate.
Perhaps most impressive is the overall refinement. Wind and road noise become the dominant auditory experiences, as the electric powertrain operates with remarkable quietness even under full acceleration.
This silence enhances urban awareness while transforming the riding experience into something distinctly more serene than conventional scooters.
Technology Integration: Purposeful Innovation
The New Chetak’s approach to technology exemplifies Bajaj’s philosophy of meaningful innovation rather than feature proliferation. The fully digital instrument cluster presents essential information through a circular display that combines modern functionality with classical aesthetic sensibilities. Readability remains excellent in all lighting conditions—an often-overlooked aspect of instrumentation design.
Connectivity comes via the Chetak smartphone application, offering functions including remote status monitoring, ride statistics, security alerts, and service scheduling.
Unlike systems that overwhelm with excessive features, Bajaj’s interface focuses on practical utility, with intuitive navigation and responsive performance. The application also facilitates software updates for the scooter’s electronic systems, allowing functional improvements over time.
Security features include keyless operation through a proximity fob, anti-theft alarm with movement detection, and location tracking capabilities. These technologies operate unobtrusively in the background, enhancing ownership convenience without requiring constant interaction.
Lighting technology represents another area where the Chetak balances tradition and innovation. The LED headlamp provides excellent illumination with distinctive character, while sequential turn signals add contemporary flair to safety functionality.
The horseshoe-shaped taillight ensures visibility from all angles, maintaining the iconic visual signature while incorporating modern light-emitting diodes.
The Ownership Proposition: Premium Positioning
Rather than competing directly with budget-oriented electric scooters, Bajaj has positioned the New Chetak as a premium product—a strategy reflected in both its pricing and ownership experience.
The base Urban model currently retails at approximately ₹1.42 lakh, while the Premium variant with additional features commands ₹1.58 lakh (ex-showroom prices).
These figures place the Chetak at a significant premium over conventional 110cc scooters and some electric alternatives, yet Bajaj has constructed a persuasive value proposition around this pricing.
The scooter includes a 3-year/50,000 km standard warranty (extendable to 5 years), with the battery specifically covered for 3 years/25,000 km. This warranty coverage exceeds industry norms, reflecting confidence in the platform’s engineering integrity.
Maintenance requirements are minimized by the inherent simplicity of electric powertrains, with service intervals extended to 12,000 kilometers—significantly longer than conventional scooters.
When service is required, Bajaj’s dealer network offers specialized Chetak service zones with technicians specifically trained in electric vehicle maintenance.
The ownership experience extends beyond the product itself through Bajaj’s attentive customer engagement. The purchasing process begins with personalized consultations at dedicated Chetak showrooms, continues with detailed orientation sessions upon delivery, and includes regular ownership connect programs throughout the relationship.
These touchpoints reflect Bajaj’s understanding that entering the electric mobility ecosystem represents a significant transition for many customers, requiring support beyond traditional dealer interactions.
Market Position and Future Trajectory
The New Chetak enters an increasingly crowded electric two-wheeler landscape, competing with established players like Ather Energy and Ola Electric alongside traditional manufacturers including TVS and Hero.
Within this complex competitive environment, Bajaj has carved a distinctive position through the Chetak’s emphasis on quality, refinement, and heritage—values that resonate particularly with mature urban professionals seeking sustainable mobility without compromise.
Sales volumes have grown steadily rather than explosively, reflecting both production constraints during the pandemic period and Bajaj’s deliberate focus on quality over quantity.
The company has expanded availability methodically, beginning with major metropolitan areas before extending to tier-two cities through a carefully developed network of dedicated dealerships.
Looking forward, Bajaj has indicated plans to expand the Chetak electric lineup with additional models at various price points—potentially including more affordable variants aimed at broader market segments.
The scalable architecture of the current platform provides flexibility for these extensions while maintaining the core engineering integrity that distinguishes the Chetak from less sophisticated alternatives.
Bajaj New Chetak Conclusion: More Than Mobility
The New Chetak’s significance extends beyond its technical specifications or sales figures. It represents a uniquely Indian approach to electrification—one that embraces technological progress while maintaining cultural continuity.
By reviving a nameplate that carries such profound emotional resonance and reinterpreting it for the electric age, Bajaj demonstrates that sustainability and heritage need not be opposing forces.
For customers, the Chetak offers something increasingly rare in the transportation landscape: a product with genuine character and emotional appeal alongside its functional attributes.
In an age where mobility increasingly risks becoming commoditized, this distinctiveness provides value beyond measurable specifications or rational calculations.
Perhaps most importantly, the New Chetak carries forward the democratic spirit of its predecessor while adapting to contemporary realities. Where the original democratized mobility for millions of middle-class Indians, the electric incarnation democratizes sustainable transportation—making eco-conscious mobility accessible through a product that requires no compromise in quality, reliability, or cultural relevance.
In this achievement, the New Chetak honors its heritage not merely through design references or naming conventions, but through its fundamental approach to the mobility question.
It suggests that the transition to electric transportation need not abandon the values and qualities that made iconic vehicles meaningful, but can instead carry those virtues forward into a more sustainable future—a lesson with relevance far beyond India’s borders or the two-wheeler segment.