Almost
ten years after deciding to exit the scooter segment, Bajaj Auto has brought in
the good old Chetak, albeit in an electric avatar. The swanky looking Chetak electric
scooter was unveiled in New Delhi. The iconic Chetak that ran on internal
combustion engine had sold more than 13 million units. The price of the new
Chetak electric scooter will be announced early 2020.
The
new electric Chetak is powered by an IP67 rated high tech lithium ion battery
with NCA cells. It can be charged using a standard household 5-15 amp
electrical outlet. It has an onboard Intelligent Battery Management System
(IBMS) which controls the charge and discharge seamlessly. The company is also
offering a home charging station at a nominal cost.
The
electric scooter will not only be sold in India but will also find its way into
the European markets sometime in 2020. To
commemorate this launch, the “Chetak Electric Yatra” was flagged by Nitin
Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways along with Amitabh Kant, CEO,
Niti Ayog in New Delhi. Riders of 20 Chetak scooters will traverse through
north and western India, covering 3000kms each to reach Pune in Maharashtra.
The
electric Chetak comes with two drive modes, Eco and Sport and a reverse assist
mode. Regenerative braking via an intelligent braking system converts braking
heat into kinetic energy, helps maximize the range.
As
for the looks, the new Chetak electric scooter is designed in a classic style
and a lot of premium materials have been used. It features a horseshoe shaped
LED headlight with DRLs, a feather touch activated electronic switches and
sequential scrolling LED blinkers. A large digital console displays vehicle information.
The
scooter comes with class leading handlebar grips, levers and mirrors and a glove
box that opens softly. It has damped seat closure mechanism. Through an app, the electric Chetak can be
enabled for security and user authentication. The Chetak mobile app gives the
rider a comprehensive overview of all aspects of his or her vehicle and its
ride history.
The
electric scooter has a rigid frame clad with sheet metal body panels and a tubular
single sided suspension. It has a unique singled sided cast aluminium swing arm
which houses the traction motor that drives the wheel through an automated gear
box. The electric scooter is being manufactured
at the Bajaj Auto plant in Chakan in Maharashtra.