[TusharK]

Bajaj Auto has launched the Chetak 35 Series in India. The new electric scooter comes in three variants: 3501, 3502 and 3503, with prices starting at Rs 1.20 lakh (ex-showroom).



The Bajaj Chetak 35 Series is based on a new platform. The frame has been redesigned such that the battery now sits under the floor. This has helped liberate more under-seat storage, which has gone up from 21 litres to 35 litres. The Chetak 35 also has a slightly longer wheelbase. The seat measures 725 mm in length, which is 80 mm longer than the old model.



The Chetak 35 comes with a larger battery pack and thus offers more range than before. The e-scooter has a 3.5 kWh battery with a claimed range of up to 153 km. Bajaj claims the powertrain efficiency has been improved thanks to a new-generation electric motor and motor controller. The e-scooter comes with a 950 W onboard charger that charges the battery from 0-80% in 3 hours.

The Chetak 35 features a new touchscreen instrument console with built-in navigation from Mappls. It has features like smartphone connectivity, remote immobilization, overspeed alert, accident detection and onboard storage for digital documents.

Link to Team-BHP News

[sri_tesla]

There has been more innovation in electric scooters in the last 2 years than there was with petrol scooters in the last 2 decades. Now electric scooters come with much bigger storage space, cruise control, hill hold, reverse mode, touchscreens, navigation, ride modes, better performance, profiles, proximity unlock, etc... The pace of innovation is much faster and startups like Ather, Ola, River, etc... are pushing traditional companies like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero to innovate faster. Bajaj is now releasing new models with more features every year. If not for EVs, they would have struggled to gain a foothold in the scooter market with a petrol model. Bajaj has just revealed that 20% of their domestic revenues are already coming from electric vehicles. Chetak is already selling close to 30,000 scooters per month while their electric 3-wheelers which were launched just 18 months back are already selling 6,000 vehicles per month.

The electric scooters are taking more and more share from the petrol scooters and in the next 2-3 years they may overtake more market share than petrol ones in the scooter segment. It already happened in the 3-wheeler market.

[Renaissance Man]

First impression Videos are out now -

https://youtu.be/iqop2yNt4KE?si=1kqSuSqA2hVGtI5s

https://youtu.be/aQulZ27PocY?si=doaa5dmGqjTtbfhG

It is a good upgrade to already decent e-scooter especially the boot space and LCD screen.

Interesting times with Active - e around the corner also.

[Senotrius]

How come the chetak doesn't get much media coverage? I was checking it out. As of now it's a well rounded package sans the old school suspension compared to the Rizta. I would trust Bajaj for service/spares compared to Ather or TVS any day.

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by Senotrius

I was checking it out. As of now it's a well rounded package sans the old school suspension compared to the Rizta. I would trust Bajaj for service/spares compared to Ather or TVS any day.

And the sales numbers reflect that as well. They are leading the EV game along with TVS. It doesn't always have to be the fanciest when it comes to scooters. Just needs to do the basics well plus have a widespread network.

[ManasN95]

Hello all,

I am amused how come there is not enough traction about the Chetak series in this forum, neither in terms of ownership reviews nor on official reviews.

But then, I don't recollect even Bajaj being that enthusiastic about marketing and branding their product as much as the others have, and while the Chetak has quietly risen to the second spot in sales, I went ahead and booked the Chetak 3501 Indigo Metallic shade on the 20th of last month, and got the delivery on Gudi Padwa.

Despite me being almost only 30, I have driven scooters very sedately all my life (just can't trust the small wheels with high speeds) so I solely booked the Chetak and not the Ather or other electrics because I personally like underrated products, who just, perform as they are meant to do.

The scooter is literally everything I could have asked for -
1. No matter how well Ather have done, I kind of trust Bajaj in after sales more than anyone else. Also, lot's of service centers in my vicinity, Ather 0.
2. Simple software, no gimmicks, just everything has utility in it's own sense. Lovely.
3. No wheeeee noise. Silent, and I only hear the motor when accelerating hard under two ups. Love it.
4. Absolutely gorgeous silhouette, and all metal body means feels premium, extremely good quality levels all over.
5. More than enough boot space, a full space helmet goes in easily, it's not wide as Rizta, but I am more than happy. Also, extremely helpful front boot.
6. I CAN PUT THE CHARGER IN ANY 5 AMP SOCKET! Biggest win for me considering I live on rent, and the society wasn't allowing any wall chargers setups. 3 hours to full is also extremely sensible for me.
7. I don't understand a lot of suspension things, but I like how composed and steady the scooter feels in any instance.
8. Breaks are good, engine regen is also good means I just have to close the throttle for minimal use of the brakes.

Overall, I am thinking of starting a comprehensive ownership review myself, but will need to spend a considerable time with the scooter to understand everything, but I am extremely happy with the purchase.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Senotrius

How come the chetak doesn't get much media coverage?

Originally Posted by b16h22

And the sales numbers reflect that as well. They are leading the EV game along with TVS.

Originally Posted by ManasN95

I am amused how come there is not enough traction about the Chetak series in this forum, neither in terms of ownership reviews nor on official reviews.

I too expected Bajaj or TVS to just sweep the e-scooter game. But funnily enough, I don't notice any eChetaks during my commute. But I always see some Athers or Olas. Neither do I see any Bajaj showrooms in Bangalore that display this bike.

Now that you have purchased one, please put up a review. Thanks!

I wouldn't consider an Ola, because of all the reports about issues and bad service experiences. And as much as I like the Ather for it's design, I too would prefer a no-fuss commuter from one of the bigger players like Bajaj. But not sure because like I said earlier, don't see them around as much as Athers or Olas, at least now, on Bangalore roads.

[antz.bin]

Originally Posted by ManasN95

I went ahead and booked the Chetak 3501 Indigo Metallic shade on the 20th of last month, and got the delivery on Gudi Padwa.

Congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to your feedback on it since I also stay at a rented place AND I also am in the market for a scooter. Had ignored the Chetak outright but turns out it has its merits after all. Not for nothing it is the #1 selling E Scooter in the country.

Originally Posted by am1m

Neither do I see any Bajaj showrooms in Bangalore that display this bike.

Chetaks are sold exclusively at 'Chetak' branded stores. Not regular Bajaj dealerships. Agree with you on spotting Chetaks on commutes, hardly see them over Athers and Olas. Maybe it is due to its unassuming looks and non-eye-catching tail lamps?

Anyways, I definitely think the Chetak is very good looking. Love those classical lines and curves. It would become a default choice for anyone looking at an Activa if only they change the front suspension to telescopic. Given its numbers, it kind of is already that with iQube being the EV equivalent of the Jupiter.

[srh]

Originally Posted by am1m

But funnily enough, I don't notice any eChetaks during my commute. But I always see some Athers or Olas.

There is a distinct spatial/ geographical difference in sales of electric 2W. In Bangalore, Ola's are seen as they are a preferred vehicle by gig workers. Ather's/ Vida's in Bangalore are generally lapped up by young professionals. iQubes are for sedate middle aged professionals. One doesn't see Chetaks in Bangalore. But just land in Pune - you realize that it is Chetak territory with not many Ola's/ Ather's to be seen.

[Sentau]

Originally Posted by srh

There is a distinct spatial/ geographical difference in sales of electric 2W. In Bangalore, Ola's are seen as they are a preferred vehicle by gig workers. Ather's/ Vida's in Bangalore are generally lapped up by young professionals. iQubes are for sedate middle aged professionals. One doesn't see Chetaks in Bangalore. But just land in Pune - you realize that it is Chetak territory with not many Ola's/ Ather's to be seen.

To be fair, Pune is Bajaj's home ground while Bangalore (Hosur to be more specific) is the home turf for TVS and Ather. But as somebody living in Pune, the number of Chetaks that I see still do not explain the sales numbers. There must some other region in India cornered by Bajaj and the Chetak.

[ManasN95]

Originally Posted by antz.bin

Congrats on the purchase. Looking forward to your feedback on it since I also stay at a rented place.

Chetaks are sold exclusively at 'Chetak' branded stores. Not regular Bajaj dealerships.

Thank you! I have run just 150 KMs, just installed the TecPac and have about 3 days of experience only. I am thinking about doing a full-blown review TeamBhp standards, but that would obviously take some time, but I can start an ownership review with initial impressions and basics till I can put many KMs under my belt and get atleast 2 services done for a proper ownership review.

Also, about the exclusive Chetak store, not anymore. In my town, the exclusive Chetak store shut shop, and the Chetaks are now sold through Bajaj dealerships only (Kalyan Dombivli Ulhasnagar belt atleast)

I believe Thane has a Chetak exclusive outlet, but regular Bajaj showrooms have Chetaks as well, which I believe is a positive. More touch points.

[VWAllstar]

Originally Posted by ManasN95

Thank you! I have run just 150 KMs, just installed the TecPac and have about 3 days of experience only.

Congratulations and brilliant colour choice. I was considering the Chetak for my Father. After multiple follow ups with the Showroom, there were no efforts from the Sales team to provide a Test Ride or even check on my purchase decision. I relied on a colleague who had purchased Chetak for his Father (similar use case) Apart from all the good points mentioned by you, he said that being an all metal body, it is difficult for a senior citizen to lift the scooter in case of a fall. Secondly, the tyres are small and not able to take the weight of the scooter. During monsoons, there are high chances of a skid. Theoretically that feedback made sense to me. He also mentioned that, it is a common issue and there were quite a few instances and insurance claims because of the fall. This made me buy the Ather Rizta Z 3.7 kWh. Extremely happy with the Ather post 10 months and 2000 KMs. My father had a Chetak before and for sentimental reasons I wanted to gift him the same albeit the EV. However, safety was prioritised over sentiments. Keep updating your experience on Chetak.

[ManasN95]

Originally Posted by VWAllstar

However, safety was prioritised over sentiments. Keep updating your experience on Chetak.

Hello! Thank you! Yes, chose the Indigo Metallic to go with my blue Ford Ecosport, and they look like bros now.

Thank you for the heads-up for during the rains, I had not come across a feedback, because there are no comprehensive reviews that I could check, neither on Youtube nor here, which is exactly why I am in the process of penning down my initial thoughts in hopes that we can start discussing the main issues and other feedbacks.

[shobhit.shri]

Originally Posted by ManasN95

Overall, I am thinking of starting a comprehensive ownership review myself, but will need to spend a considerable time with the scooter to understand everything, but I am extremely happy with the purchase.

I once test drove Chetak and Athers back to back on a lazy afternoon, without any intentions to buy them I must say, I came out very, very impressed with Chetak. It's a vehicle designed by people who really understand their customers and its needs well. I enjoyed driving it more than Ather. It feels safe, planted and carries enough fun, just as the chetak brand should be.

I am sure it will serve you well for the next 10, even 15 years.

Originally Posted by am1m

I too expected Bajaj or TVS to just sweep the e-scooter game. But funnily enough, I don't notice any eChetaks during my commute.

That's the thing about Chetak. It merges so well with the surroundings, you will not even notice it!

[am1m]

Originally Posted by shobhit.shri

That's the thing about Chetak. It merges so well with the surroundings, you will not even notice it!

Yeah, actually that's what I want from an e-scooter too, no frills, just a sensible commuter. As much as I love what Ather has done (and I even have a friend who has worked there from the beginning), I don't want half of whatever they have put in the bike. Not even the touchscreen. Just give me an electric version of the Activa. Which is why when the time comes to buy an e-bike to replace my ICE commuter bike, I'm leaning towards Bajaj or something more mainstream.