Bajaj Chetak

We’ve seen the electric two-wheeler space evolve fast over the past couple of years. It all started with the Ather 450, which was followed by Bajaj launching the Chetak. It’s the only scooter that targets the premium-retro niche in India. It stands out in terms of style, and an all metal build with great quality. But it sort of lacked in terms of performance and features. Having said that, the updated Chetak 3501 promises to fix that. Having ridden most electric scooters around the Rs 1 lakh mark, and after spending some quality time with the Chetak, here’s what I found.

Design

To be honest, the Chetak looks great, so it didn’t need a design overhaul. If it works, don't mess with it, and Bajaj thankfully understood that. The sweeping lines, curvy side panels and the all metal body still gives the scooter an unmistakable retro vibe. While subtle details like the LED DRL ring, flush-fitting panels and the long sculpted seat keep things contemporary.

The most noticeable visual update you’ll see, are the darker trims (dark grey) replacing the previous brushed aluminium panels. It may be a small tweak, but it makes the scooter look a lot sleeker than before. 

Colours

Bajaj offers the Chetak in a wide range of colours across threeseries — the 35, 30, and 25 powered by 3.5kWh, 3.0kWh, and 2.5kWh battery packs, respectively. We received the 3501 series in Indigo Blue for our tests. But you can also opt for either Brooklyn Black, Hazelnut, Pista Green or Scarlet Red. Personally, I’d pick Indigo Blue. It stands out just enough without being too flashy. The metallic paint has a deep, rich finish, and the overall quality really shows how well put together the scooter is.

Wheels

The updated 3501 still runs on 12-inch alloy wheels with MRF Zapper tyres at both ends (90/90 front and rear). They grip well enough for daily city rides and handle rough patches without much fuss. While the alloy design remains simple, it still looks sharp and elegant .  

Quality

The fit and finish on the Chetak 3001 Premium are easily among the best in the segment. The panels feel tightly screwed together, the seat upholstery feels premium, and the switchgear has a reassuring click. We did notice a few panel gaps on our test unit, but that’s likely because it was from the first production batch.

Safety Features

While the Chetak doesn’t get ABS (which is still rare in scooters), it comes equipped with a Combined Braking System (CBS). It’s not as advanced but gets the job done for most urban scenarios. Some features from the previous model have been carried over, but are still worth calling out, like keyless access and the anti-theft alert. I could unlock the scooter with just the key fob and start it using the start/stop button neatly placed near the handlebar neck. 

The anti-theft system sends a notification to your phone if it senses any tampering. There’s also collision detection built in, which uses onboard sensors to trigger an emergency alert in case of an accident.

Convenience Features

The latest update brings in a large 5-inch colour TFT touchscreen display that’s bright, easy to read, and packs a ton of useful information. Our test scooter gets the Tech Pack as standard, which supports turn-by-turn navigation, call/SMS alerts, battery status, ride stats, document storage, and more. The 3501 variant also comes with self-cancelling indicators, which switch off as soon as you straighten the handlebar. It’s a small touch, but super handy, especially on our chaotic roads where it's easy to forget your blinkers are still on. The new Chetak C25, which is also the most affordable Chetak, gets a colour LCD instrument console, which is a little less premium-looking than the 3501 variant.

You will have to pay an additional Rs 9,000 to unlock the Tech Pack on other models. The add-on brings in features like:

• Sport mode

• Turn-by-turn navigation

• Sequential turn indicators

• Hill-hold assist

• Music control

For added convenience, you can buy the Tech Pack anytime within a year of purchase and retrofit it to your 35 or 30 series Chetak.

Storage & Practicality (4/5)

Underseat Storage

The storage compartment has grown to 35 litres, up from the previous 21 litres. It’s designed to be flatter, which makes it easier to store bags or a half-face helmet. It's plenty and you will rarely feel the need to have a larger storage. A full-face lid still won’t fit, though. While all the other Chetak scooters get the same boot, the Chetak C25 comes with a smaller 25-litre boot, but it will still be enough to fit groceries for a week.

Hooks & Other Storage Options

You get a handy front 5-litre glovebox. It has enough space to house the charging cable and more room for small essentials like my wallet, keys, and other small gadgets like a portable mobile charger. It also features a retractable bag hook behind the front apron. Simple, but effective. What I love about this storage is that it is fully covered unlike other scooters in the segment.

Floorboard Space

There’s plenty of room for even tall riders like me to move our feet around or rest comfortably without feeling cramped. I also found grocery runs and carrying multiple bags super convenient, thanks to the flat floor.

Rider Comfort

There’s no mention of the actual seat height, but I could flat-foot the scooter pretty easily. I’m 5”10 by the way. So it should be accessible even for shorter riders. It doesn’t weigh much either, so it feels light to get on and off. The seat felt well-cushioned and contoured. I rode the scooter for a fairly long time during our tests, and at no point did my back hurt, which is saying something. What also helps is the rider’s triangle. It’s natural and upright, making city commutes a breeze.

Pillion Comfort

I tested the rear seat as well as a pillion rider, and I found the seat quite spacious and plush. The footpegs are also thoughtfully positioned, relaxed, and easy to reach. And at no point did it feel cramped, even with a backpack wedged between us.

The updated Chetak 3501 comes with a 3.5kWh battery paired with a 4.2kW (peak) motor. That’s a noticeable bump over the earlier version. The top speed is capped at 73kmph which becomes a limiting factor while making high speed overtakes and I feel Bajaj should have offered at least 90kmph in this flagship variant.

City Performance

In city traffic, the throttle felt smooth and easy to get used to. It’s not as quick off the line as something like an Ola or Ather, but the power delivery is clean and manageable, great for everyday riding. Everyone in the family will feel safe and confident riding it and even the younger generation wont miss performance until they hit the 73kmph cap. The regen braking kicks in gently and feels natural, especially useful in stop-and-go conditions.

Highway Performance

I quickly found the Chetak's limitations on the highway. While the updated gearing helps, pushing past 65 - 70kmph takes effort and time. So you need to plan your overtakes on open roads. That said, it can keep up with fast-moving city traffic pretty easily.

Mileage & Range

Out on the road, I typically got around 120 to 140 km on a full charge, depending on how I was riding and the traffic. Thanks to the new 3.5kWh battery, I never really found myself stressing about running out of juice.

Charging Time

You can take the chetak to a fast charger or simply plug it in a laptop chagrin socket - whichever is more convenient. However, there are no removable batteries here like the Hero Vida VX2.

Underpinnings

The Bajaj Chetak runs on a tubular steel frame with the battery tucked neatly into the floorboard. This helps keep the center of gravity low, which I noticed made the scooter feel stable and well-balanced, even when I picked up the pace.

Brakes

The braking setup is pretty basic and could use more bite. It doesn’t get ABS but gets Combined Braking System (CBS) instead. Basically, when you apply either the front or rear brake lever, the CBS activates both brakes simultaneously, improving stability and reducing stopping distance, especially for less experienced riders.

City Handling

The Chetak Premium is compact and agile, so filtering through tight lanes or navigating through traffic felt easy. Also worth noting is the turning radius, which is tight. This makes U-turns a breeze.

Highway Handling

The scooter felt stable and predictable even at its top speed. The chassis didn’t wobble either and tracked straight. But wind buffeting at higher speeds is still noticeable.

Cornering

Err… the Chetak isn’t built for it, but I could lean it lightly into corners, and it was fun. The MRF tyres held up decently well, but I wasn’t pushing it too hard.

Ride Quality

The suspension setup is a single-sided front trailing arm and monoshock at the rear, and it does a surprisingly good job. The ride felt composed over potholes, broken patches, and speed bumps. It’s not plush-soft but definitely not harsh either. Even with a pillion on board, the Chetak stays balanced, though large bumps do filter through at times.

The 2024 Bajaj Chetak 3501 feels like the update the scooter truly needed. It was already built on solid foundations, but now it checks even more boxes. It offers better range, smarter features, refined comfort, and timeless style. It may not be the most powerful EV on the market, but if you’re after a scooter that feels well put-together, looks sharp, and rides with maturity, the Chetak 35 series makes a compelling case. It’s not just a looker, it’s got substance too.

Variants

I think the TecPac is worth considering if you're looking to get the most out of the 3502, 3503 or the recently launched 3001 over the long haul. At Rs 9,000, it feels like a thoughtful upgrade rather than just another add-on. The navigation and Sport mode alone make city riding more intuitive and engaging, and the fact that it’s valid for five years means you’re not just buying features, you’re buying peace of mind. Plus, since it can be retrofitted within a year, you don’t even have to commit up front if you're on the fence. If you're looking for the most affordable chetak, there's good news because Bajaj is offering a Rs 4,299 discount for the first 10,000 customers as part of the early bird offer.

The Chetak 3501 competes in a segment that’s constantly evolving. The Chetak leans on elegance, dependability, and refinement, while its rivals focus more on performance and tech gimmicks.

Take the Ather 450X, for example. It’s sharp, fast, and clearly built with enthusiasts in mind. Acceleration is snappy, handling is precise, and it probably has the best touchscreen interface in the segment. But that sportiness comes with a trade-off — the suspension feels firm, and the riding posture is a bit aggressive, which might not suit everyone, especially for longer commutes.

The Rizta, on the other hand, takes a very different approach. It’s built with families in mind. The motor is tuned for smoother, more relaxed riding. You get a wider, more comfortable seat, loads of underseat storage, and a friendlier, more practical design. It doesn’t try to be sporty.

The TVS iQube is a simple, practical electric scooter. It may not look as flashy as an Ather or Ola, but it offers good range, a comfortable ride, and great service support. If you want something reliable and easy to ride for everyday use, the iQube fits the bill.

The Ola S1 Pro is all about big numbers. The best top speed, long range, flashy screen, and a quirky interface. But it hasn’t had the best track record for long-term reliability and software stability. Ola’s been steadily pushing out updates to smooth the ownership experience, and it’s showing progress. That said, there’s still some room for improvement in how refined and consistent the overall package feels.

The Chetak 3001 reminds me of that dependable friend who always shows up neat, sorted, and ready to help. It may not grab attention like some of its rivals, but it’s solid, classy, and dependable. It doesn’t overload you with features, but gives you everything you actually need. For daily commutes, family use, and practical city riding, it quietly does the job really well. Add the optional Tech Pack, and it gets even closer to the competition on the tech front.

The Ather and Ola are faster and pack more performance, but the Chetak wins with better build, more grounded ergonomics, and retro charm.