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Bajaj Auto resumed online bookings for the Chetak electric scooter at 9 am on April 13, 2021, but had to close down the bookings again in just 48 hours. This is due to the overwhelming demand for the premium electric scooter. Bookings had been taken on a first-come-first-serve basis. The booking was available at Rs 2,000.

Bajaj has not disclosed the number of scooters booked in this batch but said it will review the supply and production situation and will announce the next round of bookings for the electric scooter. The Chetak was launched in early 2020 and is available in two variants, Premium and Urbane. The Urbane is priced at ₹ 1.22 lakh while Chetak Premium is priced at ₹ 1.26 lakh on-road, Pune.

Commenting on the customer response, Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto Ltd., said, “We are absolutely delighted to see the fabulous response to the re-opening of bookings for the Chetak electric scooter in Pune and Bengaluru. Covid-led disruptions last year resulted in an unintended and long waiting period but despite that, we have seen very few cancellations of bookings.”

He further added, “We thank our customers in Pune and Bengaluru for their patience and now for this overwhelming response. We are aware that customers would like to receive quick delivery of Chetak and start enjoying it as soon as possible, hence we have had to make a tough decision to close the booking in the face of constant supply chain uncertainties. However, we strive to roll out supply chain issues as soon as possible within the next quarter, with re-open bookings as well as in more cities. ”

The electric motor on the Chetak delivers around 3.8 kW of continuous power (roughly around 5 bhp), and there’s 16.2 Nm of peak torque available at 1,400 rpm. It is an automatic scooter of course and has an indicated top speed of about 70 kmph. The Chetak has a range of 80 km on a single charge. So far, the Chetak is available only in Pune and Bengaluru, but Bajaj says its availability will be extended to 24 other cities across India by 2022.

Chetak plans to introduce e-scooters in 30 new cities in FY2022. The company hopes that production issues will be resolved in the next few months. The company had earlier targeted to sell 500 units per month but the sales have gone up to around 300 units per month.