India’s second-largest motorcycle manufacturer, Bajaj Auto Ltd., has become the first two-wheeler company to enter the electric space with the launch of ‘electric scooter—Chetak,’ the name that has returned after 14 years.
At the launch, the Pune-based company did not reveal the price and will announce it before beginning dispatches.
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In 2009, Bajaj stopped manufacturing traditional scooters and turned its focus on motorcycles.
The electric Chetak will be available in two variants and offers a range of 85 kilometers and 95 kilometers respectively.
The managing director Bajaj Auto, Rajiv Bajaj, believes that there is immense potential for scooters and three-wheelers in the electric space.
“It’s very important to be first to market. Scooters and step-through are a very important segment and we have not made the electric Chetak to be in the volume space. We are trying to build meaningful niches with three-wheelers, superbikes and electric scooters,” said Bajaj.
The e-scooters are scheduled to be sold from January next year in Pune. Later, the company will move to the southern city of Bengaluru. The vehicle will be sold from the Pro Biking dealerships of the company.
The launch comes at a time when the automobile industry is going through its worst phase in decades. Bajaj will have to offer rates that grab the attention of the consumers.
(With input from agencies)
