Researched by Vignesh (EVBlogs.in). Specs verified from ARAI data. Prices are on-road, not ex-showroom. Range figures adjusted for Indian city driving β not ideal test conditions.
Bajaj’s entire electric scooter range in 2026 is the Chetak family, and the company quietly threw out the old “Urbane” and “Premium” names. Everything now wears a C-series badge, from the new Rs 91,399 C2501 up to the loaded C3501. I’ve spent time across the lineup and dug through what owners actually report, and the short version is this: the Chetak is one of the best-built electric scooters you can buy, with a steel body and a properly premium feel, but Bajaj’s after-sales service is the recurring weak spot you need to walk in knowing about.
Here’s how all five variants stack up, what each one actually does in the real world, and which one I’d put my own money on.
The 2026 Bajaj Chetak lineup at a glance
| Variant | Price (avg ex-showroom) | Battery | IDC range | Top speed | Boot | Front brake | Display |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2501 | Rs 91,399 to 96,399 | 2.5 kWh | 113 km | 60 km/h | 25 L | Disc | LCD |
| C3001 | Rs 1.06 to 1.11 lakh | 3.0 kWh | 127 km | 70 km/h | 35 L | Drum | LCD |
| C3503 | Rs 1.17 to 1.22 lakh | 3.5 kWh | 151 km | 70 km/h | 35 L | Drum | LCD |
| C3502 | Rs 1.30 to 1.35 lakh | 3.5 kWh | 153 km | 80 km/h | 35 L | Disc | TFT |
| C3501 | Rs 1.43 to 1.47 lakh | 3.5 kWh | 153 km | 80 km/h | 35 L + 5 L | Disc | 5.5" TFT |
Prices vary by city. Bengaluru ex-showroom on chetak.com runs Rs 4,000 to 8,000 below the Delhi-aligned BikeWale averages I’ve quoted, so check your own city before budgeting. Every variant qualifies for the Rs 5,000 PM E-DRIVE subsidy, which I’ll get to.
Chetak C2501 - the metal-body entry point
The C2501 launched on January 14, 2026 and reset Bajaj’s entry price to Rs 91,399 (DriveSpark ). It runs a 2.5 kWh battery, a 2.2 kW hub motor, and an IDC range of 113 km. After the PM E-DRIVE subsidy it drops to roughly Rs 86,399, which makes it one of the cheapest full-metal-body electric scooters on sale.
On range, be realistic. Bajaj itself tells customers to expect around 90 km in real-world riding, and Autocar India’s Rishaad Mody confirmed it after his ride on January 17, 2026: “Bajaj claims customers should achieve a real world range of around 90km, and after the test ride, the scooter’s display suggested they should be on track to get something similar” (Autocar India ). So treat 113 km as the lab number and 90 km as the planning number.
Its one genuine compromise is storage. The C2501 has just 25 litres under the seat, which won’t swallow a full-face helmet, where every C35 variant gives you 35 litres. It’s also the lightest Chetak at 107 kg, charges 0 to 80% in 2 hours 25 minutes, and gets a disc front brake despite its price. Autocar rated it 9/10, with the only real gripe being soft front suspension that thuds over big bumps. I’d buy this for a student or a first-time rider doing under 50 km a day who carries a backpack anyway.
Chetak C3001 - the value sweet spot
The C3001 is the one I keep coming back to on a pure rupee-for-rupee basis. For Rs 1.06 to 1.11 lakh you get a 3.0 kWh battery, 127 km IDC range, the full 35-litre boot, and a 70 km/h top speed after Bajaj’s mid-cycle update (Autocar India ). The same update slashed its 0 to 80% charge time from 3 hours 50 minutes down to 2 hours 55 minutes, making it the fastest-charging Chetak in the range.
You give up the disc front brake (it runs drums front and rear) and the TFT screen, settling for a colour LCD with Bluetooth. But for a daily 40 to 50 km commute, this is the variant that wastes the least money. Expect roughly 100 to 110 km of real-world range from it.
Chetak C3503 - cheapest 3.5 kWh, but drum brakes
The C3503 is the cheapest way into the bigger 3.5 kWh battery and its 151 km IDC range, at Rs 1.17 to 1.22 lakh. The catch is that, despite the bigger battery, it’s capped at 70 km/h and runs drum brakes front and rear, the same hardware as the cheaper C3001. So you’re paying more purely for range, not for performance or stopping power.
I’d only pick the C3503 over the C3001 if you regularly ride longer distances and the extra range genuinely matters to you. If you don’t, the C3001 gives you most of this scooter for less. And if you’re stretching to this price anyway, the C3502 just above it is the smarter spend.
Chetak C3502 - the one most people should buy
For Rs 1.30 to 1.35 lakh, the C3502 is where the Chetak finally feels complete. You get the 3.5 kWh battery and 153 km IDC range, a 200 mm front disc brake, an 80 km/h top speed, a proper colour TFT screen with turn-by-turn navigation, and full app connectivity with anti-theft alerts and remote immobilisation. Real-world range on the C35 series lands around 120 to 140 km in Eco mode (Motorbeam ), the best correspondence to claim in the lineup.
The reason I rate it as the pick is the gap to the flagship. The C3502 has the disc brake, the top speed, the TFT, and the app that most riders actually use, and it sits about Rs 12,000 below the C3501. Unless you specifically want the flagship’s extras, this is the value-for-features winner.
Chetak C3501 - the fully loaded flagship
The C3501 tops the range at Rs 1.43 to 1.47 lakh and adds the toys: a 5.5-inch touchscreen TFT with integrated Google Maps, keyless access via a fob, sequential blinkers, an extra 5-litre glovebox on top of the 35-litre boot, and a slightly punchier 4.8 kW motor. It also charges fastest of the 3.5 kWh variants at 3 hours flat.
Is the roughly Rs 12,000 premium over the C3502 worth it? Only if you’ll genuinely use the on-screen Google Maps and keyless entry every day. The core riding experience, range, brakes and top speed is identical to the C3502. For most people that’s money better kept in the pocket.
How the Chetak’s real range compares to the IDC claim
Bajaj’s IDC numbers are lab figures, and like every EV they overstate what you’ll see on Indian roads. Here’s the honest picture:
| Variant | IDC claim | Real-world (Eco) |
|---|---|---|
| C2501 | 113 km | ~90 km |
| C3001 | 127 km | ~100 to 110 km |
| C35 series | 151 to 153 km | ~120 to 140 km |
One important habit: Bajaj recommends not draining below 25% to protect battery health, so your usable range between comfortable charges is a bit less than the figures above. The good news is that the C35 series holds up better against its claim than the older Chetaks did, where some owners reported as little as 70 km.
What Chetak owners actually say
The ratings spread is wide and worth understanding. 91wheels shows 4.2/5 from 2,459 ratings, BikeDekho shows 4.6/5 from 141 reviews, but BikeWale sits lower at 3.7/5 from 663 ratings. That BikeWale figure is weighted by a large pool and its visible reviews lean hard on service complaints, so don’t ignore it.
The positives center on build and feel:
“I chose this bike because it looks premium and offers smooth riding experience with strong performance.” (Alok, 5/5, BikeDekho, May 2026)
“The metallic body adds premium feel and make it stand out from other scooters.” (Harsh Pathak, 5/5, 91wheels, June 2026)
The negatives are consistent and they’re all about after-sales:
“Onboard Charger stopped working within 04 months of purchase. Service centre could not resolve my problem even after 03 months.” (Susanta Kumar Sahoo, 1/5, BikeWale, around June 2025)
“My scooter was stuck in the service center for 2 months due to no spare parts. No calls were answered.” (Kishore Sagar, 2/5, BikeWale, around September 2025)
“The service supervisor told to scrap it instead of repairing it. Waiting period is two months.” (Pankaj Chajed, 1/5, BikeWale, around July 2025)
Known problems - I won’t soften these
This is the part of a Chetak purchase you need to go in clear-eyed about. The service and reliability complaints are real, documented across multiple platforms, and consistent.
- Battery failures within 3 to 4 months of purchase show up in multiple independent reports, including a Team-BHP owner whose C3502 battery failed under 500 km (Team-BHP ).
- A “D-rated battery” error that cuts power mid-traffic has been reported by owners, which is a safety concern, not just an inconvenience (Team-BHP forum ).
- Service delays of 20 to 60 days with no spare parts come up repeatedly in BikeWale reviews and consumer-court filings (ConsumerCourt ).
One complaint tracker logged only 2 of 7 Chetak cases as resolved, a 28.57% satisfaction score (indiacustomercare.com ). The C2501 is too new to have long-term data, but it shares the same service network, so it carries the same risk. My advice: before you buy, visit your nearest Bajaj EV service centre and judge it for yourself.
There’s also a warranty discrepancy worth flagging. The C30 and C35 product pages show “5 years or 70,000 km,” while Bajaj’s own warranty explainer blog states 3 years or 50,000 km (Chetak warranty blog ). Get the exact terms in writing from your dealer before you sign.
One structural limitation: there’s no DC fast charging on any Chetak, and Bajaj runs no proprietary charging network like Ather Grid. All charging is home AC, which is fine for city use but a real disadvantage if you do long-distance riding.
Where Bajaj sits in the market
Bajaj is firmly the number two player in electric two-wheelers and closing fast. It sold 39,142 units in May 2026 for a 23% share, up 73% year-on-year, trailing market leader TVS (42,415 units, 25%) by just 3,273 units (Autocar India ). Across FY2026 the Chetak moved 302,674 units for a 25% annual share (Autocar Professional ). Meanwhile Ola Electric, once the segment leader, has slid to 9%. That momentum matters, because it means the dealer and parts network is growing, even if the service experience hasn’t fully caught up yet.
PM E-DRIVE subsidy - Rs 5,000 off any Chetak
Every Chetak variant qualifies for the central PM E-DRIVE subsidy. The rate is Rs 2,500 per kWh capped at Rs 5,000 per vehicle, so even the 2.5 kWh C2501 hits the full Rs 5,000 cap (ecozaar.in ). It’s applied as an upfront discount at the dealer through Aadhaar face-authentication, with no claim form afterwards. The scheme runs until July 31, 2026, but the Rs 10,900 crore fund can close earlier if it’s exhausted, so don’t sit on it. Several states (Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan) add their own incentives that stack on top, so check your state’s EV portal too.
Chetak versus the competition
The Chetak doesn’t exist in a vacuum, and it’s worth knowing where it stands. In May 2026 it sold 39,142 units for second place, just behind the TVS iQube’s 42,415 (Autocar India ). Against the iQube, the Chetak wins on build quality and that metal-body premium feel, but the iQube has a public-friendly charging story and arguably better-sorted service in many cities. Against the Ather 450X and Rizta, the Chetak loses on performance and on charging, since Ather Grid gives Ather owners 5,000+ fast chargers while the Chetak has none. And against the Ola S1 range, the Chetak is the safer bet right now given Ola’s well-documented service and safety troubles.
So the honest positioning is this: buy a Chetak for how it’s made and how it feels, not for charging convenience or outright speed. If fast public charging or sporty performance is your priority, the Ather scooters are the stronger choice. If you want the most proven service network, cross-shop the TVS iQube.
What to check before you buy
- Visit the service centre first. Given the documented complaints, judge your nearest Bajaj EV service point before you commit. This is the most important step.
- Get the warranty in writing. Bajaj’s own sources conflict between 3 years/50,000 km and 5 years/70,000 km, so have the dealer confirm the exact terms on paper.
- Match the variant to your ride. The C3001 suits a 40 to 50 km commute, the C35 variants suit longer distances. Don’t pay for the C3501’s extras unless you’ll use the Google Maps screen.
- Remember there’s no fast charging. All Chetaks charge on home AC only, so a home charging point is essential and long highway days aren’t its strength.
- Claim the PM E-DRIVE subsidy before July 31, 2026, and check whether your state adds an incentive on top.
My verdict - which Chetak to buy
- Best overall: Chetak C3502. Disc brake, 80 km/h, TFT with navigation and full app, at about Rs 12,000 less than the flagship. This is the one I’d buy.
- Best value: Chetak C3001. 127 km IDC, full 35-litre boot, fastest charge in the lineup, lowest sensible price.
- Best for students and first-timers: Chetak C2501. Around Rs 86,399 after subsidy, lightest, full metal body, just carry a backpack for the small boot.
- Best flagship if you want every feature: Chetak C3501, but only if you’ll actually use the Google Maps screen and keyless entry.
Whichever you pick, the Chetak’s hardware is genuinely good. Go in with your eyes open on service, get the warranty in writing, and you’ll likely be happy with it.
FAQ
Which is the cheapest Bajaj electric scooter in 2026? The Chetak C2501 at Rs 91,399 ex-showroom, dropping to about Rs 86,399 after the Rs 5,000 PM E-DRIVE subsidy. It’s the lightest Chetak and has a full metal body, but only a 25-litre boot.
What is the real-world range of the Bajaj Chetak? It depends on the variant. The C2501 (113 km IDC) returns about 90 km in real use, the C3001 (127 km IDC) around 100 to 110 km, and the C35 series (151 to 153 km IDC) roughly 120 to 140 km in Eco mode.
Does the Bajaj Chetak support fast charging? No. There’s no DC fast charging on any Chetak variant, and Bajaj doesn’t run a public charging network. You charge at home on AC, with 0 to 80% taking 2 hours 25 minutes on the C2501 up to 3 hours 25 minutes on the C3503.
Is the Bajaj Chetak reliable? The hardware and build quality are well regarded, but service and after-sales are the documented weak point, with multiple owners reporting battery failures within months and long repair delays. Check your local service centre’s reputation before buying.
Which Chetak variant should I buy? The C3502 for most people, since it has the disc brake, 80 km/h top speed, TFT screen and full app for about Rs 12,000 less than the flagship C3501. Choose the C3001 if you want the best value, or the C2501 if you’re on the tightest budget.
Does the Bajaj Chetak qualify for the PM E-DRIVE subsidy? Yes, all five variants qualify for the full Rs 5,000 subsidy, applied upfront at the dealer through Aadhaar authentication. The scheme runs until July 31, 2026 or until the fund is exhausted.
What is the warranty on the Bajaj Chetak? This is unclear in Bajaj’s own communications. The C30 and C35 product pages state 5 years or 70,000 km, while the warranty explainer blog says 3 years or 50,000 km. Confirm the exact terms in writing with your dealer before purchase.
