The Indian market for two-wheelers is a highly competitive arena. Many players enter the field every year, but only a select few gain access to the two-wheeler hall of fame, becoming unanimous favorites across the country.
In the scooter segment, the market becomes way more interesting. Success in the scooter market is a very hit-or-miss proposition. On one end, you have the titans like the Honda Activa, which has become a household name in the country. On the other end, you have scooters like the Vespa, which while popular, are relatively niche.
The key to success in the scooter market in recent times has been to offer something that the competitors don’t. USP is the name of the game here, being a major crowd puller. With the advent of electric vehicles, the scooter market is slowly evolving to explore the potential of electric.
They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. However, one of the most popular veterans in the circuit is coming back to the spotlight, and he’s back in a brand new electric avatar.
The All-New Chetak
For those millennials who may not know what the big deal about the Bajaj Chetak is, know that this was THE go-to scooter for very many years in the past. Basically, he occupied the throne which the Activa now sits on.
Bajaj Chetak Electric
Now reborn, he has made his entry quietly into the market on January 15th, 2020. Will he rule the streets again? Let’s take a closer look.
The Fundamentals
– Engine: Like most other electric vehicles, the Chetak is powered by Li-ion cells that promise 95km on a single full charge. This is more than enough for city riding.
– Price: The new Chetak starts at Rs. 1 lakh (ex-showroom). It might sound like much, but considering the underlying benefits, and the fact that this is the company’s first electric vehicle, it’s fair to cut them some slack. Spend on the scooter, save on fuel.
– Availability: Bajaj is looking to test the waters, having rolled out the Chetak in Bangalore and Pune first. Plans to expand are based on reception.
– Warranty: The company has put its best foot forward by offering a 3-year/50,000km warranty on the Chetak, whichever comes first. This is a solid step in the right direction.
Features and Functionality
While the fundamentals look fairly promising, what else does the new Chetak pack in its frame? Let’s have a look:
– Design: The soul of the original Chetak meets modern scooter design, for a steel frame that’s sleek yet durable, with sheet metal finishing.
– Smartness: Your Chetak will stay digitally connected to you through an app. Easy location, anti-theft, and you can even set music! Even the brakes are smart, restoring fuel charge with usage over time.
– Efficiency: This vehicle is quick to charge, needing only five hours to completely juice up. There’s also no downtime involved, this thing is always ready to move, with efficient resource management.
– Reverse Gear: Here’s something you don’t see on every scooter! Parking in packed spaces just got a lot easier.
The new Chetak marks Bajaj’s revival of their famed scooter line, as well as their maiden foray into the electric sphere. For such a monumental step, they’ve done a great job to come out with a solid contender in the Chetak. Time will tell how well it’s received in the market!
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