The recently introduced Chetak 3201 Special Edition features new, more efficient battery cells sourced from a different supplier.
The Bajaj Chetak has quickly climbed the ranks from being one of the slower-selling electric scooters in India to securing the third top-selling position in under a year. This significant jump in sales is attributed to both an expanded national presence and the launch of new, more cost-effective models. Recently, it was revealed that the Chetak line-up will incorporate battery cells from a new supplier, enhancing the scooter’s range.
This month, Bajaj introduced the Chetak 3201 Special Edition, equipped with the same 3.2 kWh battery found in the Chetak Premium but boasting an increased range of 136km compared to the Premium’s 126km. Initially perplexing, further investigation showed that the battery’s new cells, sourced from a different supplier, are more efficient and pack more energy than those in the previous model, which accounts for the improved range.
Alongside switching to more advanced cells, Bajaj is updating its model names to reflect battery capacities numerically. For instance, the base model is now called the Chetak 2901, indicative of its 2.9 kWh battery. Future models like the Premium and Urbane are expected to follow suit, possibly labelled as 3201 and 3202.
Currently priced at Rs 147,000, the Chetak Premium is more expensive than the 3201 Special Edition, which sells for Rs 1.40 lakh. It’s yet to be determined if the introduction of new battery cells will lower prices for updated models, which could further boost Chetak’s market success in the coming months, potentially propelling it to second place in the EV scooter market, surpassing TVS iQube.
From January to July 2024, Bajaj Auto sold 84,225 Chetaks—a 213% year-over-year increase, significantly boosting its market share from 5.51% to 16.49%. This growth is supported by increased production and a rapidly expanding dealership network, expected to grow from 200 to 600 showrooms in the next few months.
