Bajaj’s Chetak C2501 hits the streets

PUNE: 53 years to the day since the original Chetak puttered into Indian hearts in 1972, Bajaj Auto staged a homecoming. Not in some sterile convention hall, but under open skies, with water shimmering around the launch podium. Fireworks crackled overhead. A flash mob erupted from the crowd. Riders rolled in astride the new machine itself, dust and drama in equal measure.

Meet the Chetak C2501, the scrappy younger sibling that’s all about doing more with less. At Rs 91,399, it’s the brand’s most affordable EV variant yet. 

Speaking on the launch, Bajaj Auto Ltd president- urbanite business Eric Vas said, “The Chetak C25 reflects a clear shift in how urban mobility is being used today—shorter trips, tighter streets and a growing need for independent movement. While its form is compact and contemporary, the  fundamentals remain unmistakably Chetak: solidity, sturdiness and reliability. The C25 allows us to extend the Chetak portfolio to a younger, more agile use case, while continuing to deliver the trust and confidence that the brand has stood for over generations.”

Electric scooters, however, have recently come under scrutiny over safety concerns. Ola Electric, in particular, has faced criticism over battery quality, following customer complaints and reports of vehicles catching fire.

Addressing these concerns, Bajaj Auto Ltd GM (R&D) Gagandeep Singh spoke to Indian Television about Bajaj’s approach to battery quality and safety, and did not shy away from the issue. He was refreshingly direct.

“Some brands push the limits of their technology and hardware without realising that beyond a certain point it becomes detrimental,” he said. “We are very mindful of that. If we offer a certain level of performance or hardware, we know exactly how much it can handle. That confidence comes from the cells we use, the battery construction—everything.”

He added that Bajaj’s vertically integrated approach is key. “It’s all in-house. The motor, the battery pack, the hardware—everything is designed and developed at our R&D facilities. We carry out proper testing before anything goes into production.”

Singh was blunt with his thinly veiled jab at where competitors go wrong. “These problems happen when you jump the gun—when you speed up processes that demand time and thoroughness. Proper battery testing isn’t something you can fast-track. Skip those steps, and it’s not the company that suffers first. It’s the poor customer who pays the price.”

Lighter, lower, easier to handle 

Think of the C2501 as the Chetak on a diet. At 108kg, it’s shed the bulk, and with a 763mm seat height, even shorter riders can plant both feet firmly at traffic lights. The retro soul remains intact, circular LED headlamp winking at you, tidier tail end, matte black mirrors but now dressed in six shades ranging from sunshine yellow to stealth-mode black.

Built for city streets 

Under the floorboard hums a 2.5kWh battery pack promising 113km of urban wandering. Here’s the twist: Bajaj ditched its usual motor setup for a hub-mounted unit (a Chetak first), churning out 1.8kW steady and 2.2kW when you twist the throttle with intent. Top speed? A modest 55km/h—but honestly, when was the last time you hit 60 in city traffic anyway? Plug in the 750W charger and you’re 80 per cent juiced in under two and a half hours.

To hit that price point, Bajaj swapped the fancy leading-link suspension for good ol’ telescopic forks up front. Purists might wince, but your wallet won’t. The front disc brake stays, along with twin rear shocks to smooth out those pothole-riddled commutes.

Packed with features that matter 

Don’t mistake “budget” for “basic.” The C2501 packs a colour LCD that syncs with your phone: calls, texts, Spotify, the works. Hill-hold assist has your back on those 19 per cent inclines (with a pillion, no less). Toggle between Eco and Sport modes depending on your hurry. There’s reverse assist for tight parking, a USB port for your dying phone, a front cubby for chai money, and a cavernous 25-litre boot that swallows a full-face helmet without complaint.

The 1972 scooter became India’s workhorse, its name synonymous with middle-class aspiration. Now, as petrol prices climb and cities choke, Bajaj is betting the next generation will trade nostalgia for pragmatism, provided the entry price is right and the style stays intact.

The Chetak isn’t just back. It’s electric, accessible, and ready to reclaim the streets. The C2501 undercuts rivals while keeping that unmistakable Chetak swagger intact. For first-time EV buyers tired of petrol pump queues and craving Instagram-worthy retro style? This might just be the spark they’ve been waiting for.