Bajaj Auto has
taken a huge leap in its product portfolio with the launch of its first
electric scooter, the Chetak. The company has revived the Chetak brand as it
has a nostalgic value attached to itself. Similar to the original Chetak, the
new electric scooter carries a retro-styling with a list of modern equipment
and a Polar Bear friendly engine. Today's event was about unveiling the
products. The launch details, availability and the prices are yet to be
announced.
The front fascia features a hypnotic horseshoe-shaped LED headlight with DRL,
apron-mounted LED blinkers and the Chetak branding. The cockpit comprises a
fully digital instrument console and backlit switchgear. The footboard looks
large enough to offer sufficient leg-room for an average rider. A nice touch to
the design is the pillion footrest that, in the closed position, runs flush
with the footboard’s design. A body-coloured pillion footboard is also part of
the package.
The body does not
feature many graphics or chrome highlights, which gives the scooter a subtle
look. The saddle looks spacious enough to accommodate two adults comfortably.
The seat is followed by a styling, single-piece pillion grab-rail. The tail
section of the motorcycle features a split-style LED stoplight and LED
blinkers. The scooter also gets a LED number plate illuminator at the back. The
steel-body electric scooter will be offered in six colour options.
The instrument
console displays information such as speed, range, battery level, gear position
indicator, odometer and a clock. Telltale indicators occupy the space around
the screen. The Chetak smartphone app that offers an overview of the vehicle
and rides history. The electric scooter will be accompanied by mobility solutions
like data communication, security and user authentication.
The scooter packs
an IP67 rated battery pack that can be charged using a standard household 5-15
amp electric outlet. The Intelligent Battery Management System controls charge
and discharge. The electric scooter can be used in two modes - Eco (100 km
range) and Sport (80 km range). The vehicle also features a regenerative
braking system.
The hardware
specifications on the electric scooter include a single-sided suspension at the
front and a single-sided spring at the back to perform the shock absorption
functions. Anchoring department comprises a disc brake at the front and a drum
unit at the back. The safety-net comprises CBS tech as standard.
The Bajaj Chetak
electric scooter will be launched in a phased manner. It will be available in
Pune and Bengaluru in the first phase of operations. The sales will start in
January 2020 and the electric scooter will be available through the Probiking
outlets. Regular readers would know that Bengaluru is the home turf of Ather
Energy, which currently offers the feature-packed 450 electric scooter. Pune,
on the other hand, recently saw the arrival of Revolt Motors’ electric
motorcycles – the RV300 and the RV400.
Bajaj Auto has also
flagged off Chetak Yatra, which will start from New Delhi to Pune. As many as
20 Chetak electric scooters will ride through North and Western India, covering
about 3,000 km, before arriving in Pune.
