IAB reader Rahul Sawarmale has spotted a Bajaj RE
Electric undergoing testing in Pune. The pure electric three-wheeler was
introduced at the MOVE Summit last year. The Bajaj RE Electric has a
four-seat (driver + 3 passengers) configuration. Bajaj Auto hasn’t released
dimensions or the maximum power and maximum torque produced by its motor. We do
know that the source of energy is 48-volt Lithium-ion batteries. These
batteries are swappable, and charging them using the onboard charger, which is
optional, takes six hours. Swapping the batteries takes six minutes.
On a full charge, the Bajaj RE Electric can go up to
120 km. It has a maximum speed of 45 km/h, which is 20 km/h lesser than that of
the Bajaj RE 4S (65 km/h) and 7 km/h lesser than that of the Bajaj RE Maxima
(52 km/h). The pure electric rickshaw has a kerb weight of 400 kg. It uses
12-inch wheels wrapped in low rolling resistance tyres.
The Bajaj RE Electric looks more stylish because of
its unique front-end comprising distinctively shaped gloss black cladding,
sleek headlamps and a Bajaj RE logo with a dash of blue. Inside, it is equipped
with a digital instrument cluster to offer the driver all the necessary
information. It features an anti-theft function as well.
Bajaj Auto initially planned to launch an e-rickshaw
in 2020. In 2017, reports said that it had advanced the launch to 2018, but
that didn’t happen. The market rollout may take place later this year or early
next year, although we are yet to hear Bajaj speak on this.
