Bajaj Auto Limited, an Indian multinational two-wheeler manufacturing company, is set to launch an upgraded version of its electric scooter, the Chetak. According to leaked documents from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the new model will have an extended range of 18km compared to the current version, without any increase in battery capacity.

The current model of Chetak boasts a claimed range of 90km on a single charge, but testers have been able to extract up to 114km in real-world conditions. However, the upcoming model is expected to offer a claimed range of 108km. Despite the increase in range, the new Chetak will still feature the same 2.884kWh lithium-ion battery as the current model. This means that the battery management system (BMS) could be responsible for the increased range of the new e-scooter.

The leaked RTO documents indicate that most of the powertrain will remain the same, including the motor specifications. It seems that the only significant update with the new Chetak model is the improved range. This is surprising, as most upgrades usually come with an increase in battery capacity or motor power.

The Chetak, which was launched in January 2020, marked Bajaj Auto’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The e-scooter is named after the iconic Chetak scooter, which was discontinued in 2005. The Chetak has been well-received by customers and has helped Bajaj establish itself in the growing EV market.

Bajaj Auto has been expanding its EV portfolio and has plans to launch more electric two-wheelers in the future. The company has been investing in research and development to improve the performance and range of its EVs. The new Chetak model is a step in that direction, offering an improved range without any significant increase in battery capacity.

The upgraded Chetak is expected to hit the market soon and is likely to be priced slightly higher than the current model. The Chetak is currently available in six cities in India, including Pune, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Bajaj Auto plans to expand the Chetak’s availability to more cities in the coming months.

The Indian government has been pushing for the adoption of electric vehicles to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and to lower its carbon footprint. The government has offered various incentives to encourage the purchase of EVs, including tax benefits and subsidies. The EV market in India is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, and Bajaj Auto is well-positioned to take advantage of this growth.

In conclusion, Bajaj Auto is set to launch an upgraded version of its popular Chetak electric scooter with an extended range of 18km, without any increase in battery capacity. The leaked RTO documents suggest that the only significant update with the new model is the improved range, which could be due to the battery management system. The Chetak has been well-received by customers and has helped Bajaj establish itself in the growing EV market in India. With plans to expand its EV portfolio, Bajaj Auto is poised to take advantage of the government’s push for electric vehicles in the country.