Bajaj Chetak electric scooter unveiled
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.
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In terms of styling, 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.
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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.