OVERVIEW
Performance and Motor
The Chetak 3501 delivers strong electric performance with its 4.2 kW hub motor, producing about 5.3 BHP. The liquid-cooled motor helps prevent overheating, so you get steady power and smooth acceleration on different Indian roads. The scooter has two ride modes: Eco for better efficiency and Sport for more power. In real-world city commutes, it responds quickly to throttle inputs. It provides enough torque to handle traffic and short highway trips.
The Bajaj Chetak 3501 has a single-speed automatic transmission, standard on electric scooters, which makes riding easier since there are no gears to shift. This direct-drive system sends power straight to the rear wheel, giving you smooth acceleration and braking without needing a clutch. Regenerative braking also helps recover energy when you stop, which is especially useful in India’s stop-and-go traffic.
The scooter can reach a top speed of 73 km/h, which is enough for city rides and the occasional highway trip in India. Thanks to its efficient motor cooling, the Chetak 3501 can keep up its speed on longer rides without losing power. This top speed offers a good mix of safety and performance for Indian traffic.
Range
The Chetak 3501 has an ARAI-certified range of 153 km, putting it among the top electric scooters and letting you handle daily commutes without frequent charging.
In practical Indian conditions, users typically enjoy a usable range of 90 to 110 km, influenced by speed, load, and traffic. This range accommodates most urban riders’ daily travel of 40-60 km, supporting 1.5 to 2 days of operation per charge. Eco mode further optimises efficiency.
Charging Time
You can charge the Chetak 3501 using a regular 5A household socket. It takes about 3 hours to reach 80% and around 3 hours and 50 minutes for a full charge.
This charging time works well for overnight charging at home or at work, making it easy for Indian riders to fit into their daily routines without needing costly chargers or special setups.
Features and Technology
The key features of the Chetak 3501 are as follows:
- Battery: A 3.5 kWh battery delivers an ARAI-certified range of 153 km, supporting multi-day urban rides without frequent charging.
- Performance Modes: Offers Eco for extended efficiency and Sports for enhanced power delivery, allowing riders to customise the scooter’s performance based on their needs.
- Charging Time: Charges from 0 to 80% in about 3 hours and from 0 to 100% in approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes using a standard 5A household socket. This makes home or workplace charging easy without special infrastructure.
- Top Speed: Top speed of 73 km/h balances city and occasional highway riding, sustained by the liquid-cooled 4.2 kW motor.
- Display Features: Features a 5.5-inch colour touchscreen display providing navigation with integrated maps, music control, call management, and digital document storage, enhancing the riding experience through intelligent connectivity.
- Storage Space: Industry-leading 35L boot space suitable for carrying daily necessities, including a helmet, along with a secondary 5L glovebox for smaller essentials like keys and wallets.
- Security: Keyless entry via sleek key fob, paired with advanced sensors that detect tampering and trigger anti-theft alerts, enhancing security for Indian riders.
- Safety Alerts: Includes an overspeed alert system that warns riders when preset speed limits are exceeded, promoting safer riding habits.
- Hill Hold Assist: Supports smooth starts on inclines common in Indian terrain, preventing rollback.
- Braking System: The front disc brake (200 mm) and rear drum brake (130 mm) provide confident stopping power.
- Suspension: The suspension design offers a comfortable ride on varied Indian road surfaces.
- Guide Me Home: Light function for safe riding in low-light conditions.
- Visibility: Sequential blinkers enhance visibility and safety during turns.
- Reverse Mode: Included for easy parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces.
- App Connectivity: Full app connectivity allows riders to monitor scooter vitals, track rides, access service updates, and control some vehicle functions remotely.
- Warranty: Comes with a robust 5-year warranty or up to 70,000 km, whichever comes first, reflecting Bajaj’s confidence in the scooter’s build quality and reliability.
Build Quality
The Bajaj Chetak 3501 is built to last, with a strong metal frame that withstands the rigours of Indian road conditions. Unlike many competitors that use plastic panels, its metal body makes it more durable and better able to handle daily wear and tear.
Many riders notice the scooter’s solid feel and strong build, which adds to its premium appeal. Bajaj’s quality control ensures the panels are well-aligned and the finishes are consistent. Plus, the 5-year or 70,000 km warranty shows Bajaj’s trust in the scooter’s durability.
Handling
The Chetak 3501 handles well in Indian cities, where roads can be uneven, and traffic is often heavy. It has a 1355 mm wheelbase, 12-inch alloy wheels, and 90/90-section tyres, giving you both stability and easy manoeuvring. The suspension, with a telescopic front fork and dual rear shocks, helps smooth out bumps and potholes you find in city riding.
The scooter’s frame and weight balance help you take corners confidently and brake smoothly, thanks to the front disc and rear drum brakes. The Eco and Sports ride modes also change how the scooter accelerates, so you can pick a softer or quicker response based on your preference.
Comfort
Comfort is a key focus for the Chetak 3501, especially for Indian commuters who spend a lot of time riding. The 775mm seat height and well-padded seat, available in quilted or dual Rexene options, help riders of different heights sit comfortably and reach the ground easily. The wide footboard also lets you rest your feet comfortably during rides.
The shocks and suspension are designed to handle all kinds of Indian roads, giving you a smoother ride and helping reduce tiredness. Reverse mode makes parking in tight city spaces easier, and features like guiding lights for low-light conditions and a simple touchscreen help you stay focused and comfortable while riding.
Styling
The Bajaj Chetak 3501 has a modern design with a touch of retro style, making it attractive to Indian city riders who want both style and practicality. Its metal frame, sharp lines, and LED lights at the front and back give it a look that’s both classic and up-to-date. Alloy wheels, a quilted or dual Rexene seat, and quality finishes add to its premium feel.
The Chetak 3501 mixes classic scooter looks with modern tech, like a 5.5-inch touchscreen, smooth body panels, sequential blinkers, and keyless access. This combination of style and features gives it a confident, premium feel that appeals to Indian riders who like both retro charm and new technology.
Colour Options and Variants
Bajaj offers the Chetak 3501 in a carefully curated palette that complements its premium styling and suits a range of customer preferences in India. The lineup includes multiple colour variants such as:
- Brooklyn Black
- Scarlet Red
- Indigo Metallic
- Hazel Nut
- Pista Green
These colour choices showcase the scooter’s high-quality metal build. Some versions come with dual-tone seats or gloss-matte finishes for added style, so you can pick what matches your taste. The Chetak 3501 comes in one main version, with the Tecpac feature pack available as an option.
Value for Money and Pricing
The Bajaj Chetak 3501 is competitively priced in India, starting at ₹ 1,34,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Bajaj also offers a 5-year or 70,000-kilometre warranty, giving buyers extra peace of mind for long-term ownership.
The Bajaj Chetak 3501 offers excellent value for money with its powerful electric motor, large 3.5 kWh battery (up to 153 km ARAI-certified range), sturdy metal body, and advanced features such as a 5.5-inch touchscreen, built-in navigation, keyless access, and two ride modes. The roomy 35L boot and safety features like overspeed alerts, hill hold assist, and anti-theft systems make it even more appealing.
With its mix of performance, comfort, storage, and new features, the Chetak 3501 stands out as a premium yet affordable choice. Unlike some competitors who cut corners on quality or features to lower prices, this scooter is often praised for its solid build and smooth ride, making it a strong option in India’s electric scooter market.
In the Indian electric scooter market, the Bajaj Chetak 3501 competes primarily with the following notable models:
- Ather 450X
- Ola S1 Pro
- TVS iQube
Overall, the Bajaj Chetak 3501 stands out by offering a good balance of quality build, range, features, and price. This makes it a strong value-for-money choice in India’s competitive electric scooter market.
