Next-gen Bajaj RE 'Electric' spied on test

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.

Also See: Check out the revised instrument console on the 2019 Bajaj Dominar 400

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.