Bajaj Chetak EV: It’s a balmy morning in Pune, the streets already buzzing with the usual cacophony of horns and engines. But as you glide through the chaos, all you hear is the gentle whir of an electric motor and the wind in your hair.
Welcome to the future of urban mobility, courtesy of the 2025 Bajaj Chetak EV. This isn’t just another electric scooter; it’s a revolution on two wheels, a perfect blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge technology that’s set to redefine how we move in our cities.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Another electric scooter? What’s the big deal?” Well, my friend, strap on your helmet and prepare for a ride through the future of personal transportation – a future where performance, style, and affordability coexist in perfect harmony.
A Legacy Reborn
Let’s kick things off with a bit of history, shall we? The Chetak name isn’t new to Indian roads. For those of us old enough to remember (and yes, I’m reluctantly including myself in that category),
the original Chetak was the chariot of choice for middle-class India in the 80s and 90s. It was reliable, sturdy, and had more lives than a cat. I still remember my uncle’s Chetak, which seemed to run on sheer willpower even when the fuel gauge was firmly on ‘E’.
Fast forward to 2025, and Bajaj has resurrected the Chetak name for its electric avatar. But this isn’t just a nostalgic cash grab. Oh no, Bajaj has taken everything we loved about the original Chetak – its reliability, its practicality, its “built-to-last” ethos – and catapulted it into the 21st century.
Styling: Retro Meets Futuristic
The moment you lay eyes on the 2025 Chetak EV, you know you’re looking at something special. Bajaj’s designers have pulled off a masterstroke, creating a scooter that pays homage to its iconic predecessor while looking decidedly futuristic.
The overall silhouette is unmistakably Chetak, with its curvy body and distinctive headlight nacelle. But look closer, and you’ll see that every line, every curve has been reimagined for the electric age.
The front apron houses a sleek LED headlight that looks like it could cut through the darkest of nights. The side panels flow seamlessly into the rear section, creating a sense of motion even when the scooter is standing still.
But it’s at the rear where things get really interesting. The taillight is a full LED unit, with a design that mimics the iconic shape of the original Chetak’s rear lamp, but with a modern twist. It’s like they’ve taken a piece of automotive history and sent it through a time machine.
I overheard a young designer at the launch event whispering to his colleague, “It’s like they’ve managed to make nostalgia look futuristic.” And you know what? He’s hit the nail on the head.
Heart of the Matter: Electric Power, Redefined
Now, let’s talk about what really matters – what’s hiding under that beautifully sculpted body. The 2025 Chetak EV is powered by a new-generation electric motor that’s a quantum leap forward from its predecessor.
Bajaj has been tight-lipped about the exact specifications, but industry insiders suggest we’re looking at a motor that puts out around 4.5 kW of continuous power,
with a peak output of 8 kW. In layman’s terms? This little scooter has enough grunt to leave most petrol-powered 125cc scooters in its dust at the traffic light grand prix.
But it’s not just about raw power. The real magic lies in how this motor delivers its punch. The throttle response is instantaneous, like flicking a light switch.
There’s no lag, no hesitation – just pure, linear acceleration that’ll plaster a grin on your face wider than the Gateway of India.
The battery pack is another area where Bajaj has made significant strides. The 2025 Chetak EV comes with a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s been developed in partnership with a leading battery manufacturer.
What does this mean for you? A claimed range of 150 km on a single charge. That’s not just good – that’s “I can’t remember the last time I had range anxiety” good.
I had the chance to chat with a Bajaj engineer at the launch event. When I asked him about the powertrain, he grinned like a kid who’d just been given the keys to a candy store.
“We didn’t just want to make an electric scooter,” he said, barely containing his excitement. “We wanted to make an electric scooter that would make people forget about petrol. I think we’ve done it.”
The Ride: Smooth as Silk, Quick as Lightning
Now, a scooter can have all the power in the world, but it doesn’t mean a thing if it doesn’t ride well. Thankfully, the 2025 Chetak EV doesn’t just talk the talk – it walks the walk. Or should I say, it glides the glide?
The first thing you notice when you swing a leg over the Chetak is how well-balanced it feels. The battery pack is mounted low in the chassis,
giving the scooter a center of gravity that would make some motorcycles jealous. This translates to incredible stability, whether you’re navigating through tight city traffic or cruising down the highway.
The suspension setup – telescopic forks at the front and a single shock absorber at the rear – is perfectly tuned for Indian road conditions.
It soaks up bumps and potholes with ease, but still provides enough feedback to keep things interesting when you’re carving through corners. It’s like riding on a magic carpet, but one that still lets you feel connected to the road.
But it’s when you twist the throttle that the Chetak EV really comes alive. The acceleration is, in a word, addictive. It pulls away from standstill with an eagerness that’ll surprise even seasoned riders.
And because it’s electric, there’s no power band to speak of – just a constant surge of torque that’s available the moment you twist your wrist.
I had the opportunity to take the Chetak EV for a spin through the winding roads of Lavasa. As I carved through corner after corner,
the only sound the whir of the electric motor and the wind rushing past my helmet, I had an epiphany. This, I realized, was the future of urban mobility. Clean, efficient, and most importantly, fun.
Tech that Impresses: Smart Features for a Smart Ride
In 2025, a scooter needs to be more than just a mode of transport – it needs to be a rolling computer. And boy, does the Chetak EV deliver on this front.
The crown jewel is the new full-color TFT display. It’s not just a speedometer – it’s like having a smartphone on your handlebar.
It displays all the usual info – speed, battery level, range – but also includes navigation, ride statistics, and even weather updates. Yes, your scooter can now tell you if you need to pack an umbrella.
But Bajaj didn’t stop there. The 2025 Chetak EV comes with built-in 5G connectivity. This allows for over-the-air updates, real-time traffic information,
and even remote diagnostics. Having an issue with your scooter? The service center can diagnose it before you even roll into the workshop.
There’s also a new “Eco” mode that optimizes power delivery for maximum range. But don’t worry, speed demons – there’s also a “Sport” mode that unleashes the full potential of that electric motor. It’s like having two scooters in one.
One feature that really caught my eye was the new “Find My Chetak” function. Lost your scooter in a crowded parking lot?
Just pull out your smartphone, and the Chetak will guide you to its location. It’s the kind of feature that makes you wonder how you ever lived without it.
Safety First: Because You Can’t Enjoy the Ride from a Hospital Bed
Now, let’s talk about a topic that’s often overlooked in the world of two-wheelers – safety. Bajaj has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Chetak EV is not just fun to ride, but also safe.
The braking system is a combination of a disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear. But here’s where it gets interesting – the Chetak EV comes with a combined braking system (CBS) as standard.
What this means is that even if you only apply one brake, the system automatically applies some force to the other wheel as well, ensuring more stable and efficient braking.
The LED lighting isn’t just for show either. The bright headlight and taillight ensure that you’re visible to other road users, even in low light conditions. In the chaos of Indian traffic, that extra bit of visibility can make all the difference.
The tires deserve a special mention too. Bajaj has worked with a leading tire manufacturer to develop a compound that offers excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions.
It’s the kind of detail that you might not notice immediately, but you’ll appreciate every time you need to brake suddenly or navigate a slippery road.
Living with the Chetak EV: The Ownership Experience
Owning an electric vehicle in India isn’t just about the riding experience – it’s about the whole package. And Bajaj seems to have thought of everything.
First off, there’s the charging. The Chetak EV comes with a portable charger that can be plugged into any 5A socket.
A full charge from 0-100% takes about 5 hours, but here’s the kicker – you can get up to 80% charge in just 3 hours. That’s less time than it takes to watch a Bollywood movie.
But Bajaj hasn’t stopped there. They’re rolling out a network of fast-charging stations across major cities. These can juice up your Chetak from 0-80% in just 45 minutes. It’s perfect for those “Oops, I forgot to plug it in last night” moments.
Then there’s the maintenance – or rather, the lack of it. With far fewer moving parts than a petrol scooter, the Chetak EV requires minimal upkeep.
No more oil changes, no spark plugs to replace, no air filters to clean. The most maintenance you’ll likely need to do is topping up the brake fluid and checking the tire pressure.
Bajaj offers a standard 3-year/50,000 km warranty on the Chetak EV, with the option to extend it up to 5 years. It’s like they’re saying, “Go on, ride as much as you want. We’ve got your back.”
But perhaps the most impressive aspect of Chetak EV ownership is the new “Chetak Care” app. This little piece of software is like having a personal assistant for your scooter.
It can schedule service appointments, provide real-time vehicle health monitoring, and even give you tips on how to maximize your range. It’s like having a mechanic, a riding instructor, and a fuel efficiency expert, all in your pocket.
The Competition: How Does It Stack Up?
The electric two-wheeler segment in India is heating up faster than a samosa fresh out of the fryer. So how does the 2025 Chetak EV fare against its rivals?
Its main competitors are the Ather 450X, the TVS iQube, and the Ola S1 Pro. Each has its strengths – the Ather with its performance, the TVS with its reliability, and the Ola with its feature list.
But here’s where the Chetak EV pulls ahead – it offers a combination of all these strengths. It’s got the performance to rival the Ather,
the build quality to match the TVS, and a feature list that can go toe-to-toe with the Ola. And when you factor in the Chetak brand value and Bajaj’s vast service network, the Chetak EV starts to look like a no-brainer.
Sure, some competitors might have an edge in one area or another. The Ather might be a smidge quicker, or the Ola might have a slightly fancier app. But as an overall package? The Chetak EV is hard to beat.
Price: The Sweet Spot of Premium and Affordable
Now, we come to the million-rupee question – how much does all this awesomeness cost? Well, Bajaj has always positioned the Chetak as a premium offering, but for 2025, they’re shaking things up.
The 2025 Bajaj Chetak EV is priced at ₹1,25,000 (ex-showroom). Yes, you read that right. Bajaj has managed to pack all this technology, performance, and style into a package that’s actually more affordable than some of its competitors.
How did they do it? Well, increased localization plays a big part. Bajaj has invested heavily in local manufacturing and supply chains,
reducing costs without compromising on quality. This not only makes the Chetak EV more affordable but also ensures better spare parts availability.
Is it the cheapest electric scooter out there? No. But when you consider what you’re getting for your money – the performance, the technology, the brand value – it starts to look like an absolute bargain.
The Verdict: More Than Just an Electric Scooter
As we wrap up our journey through the world of the 2025 Bajaj Chetak EV, one thing is clear – this isn’t just another electric scooter. It’s a vision of the future, a perfect blend of heritage and innovation that’s set to redefine urban mobility in India.
The Chetak EV manages to be all things to all people – a practical commuter, a tech showcase, and a style statement, all rolled into one.
It’s like Bajaj took everything we loved about the original Chetak, addressed all the pain points of electric vehicles, and then sprinkled some magic dust on top for good measure.
Is it perfect? No vehicle is. Some might wish for even more range, and others might prefer a more radical design. But these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme of things.
What Bajaj has created with the 2025 Chetak EV is more than just a scooter – it’s a statement. It’s Bajaj saying, “This is what we think the future of urban mobility should look like.” And based on what we’ve seen, it’s hard to argue with them.
So, if you’re in the market for a two-wheeler that can turn your daily commute into a joyride, make a style statement, and still be easy on your wallet (and the environment),
do yourself a favor and check out the 2025 Bajaj Chetak EV. Just be warned – you might find yourself looking for excuses to run errands more often than not.