The electric scooter war in India just got significantly hotter. For years, the Bajaj Chetak has been seen as a premium, “built-like-a-tank” scooter, but it often lost out to rivals like Ola and TVS due to its higher price tag. That perception changes today.
In a move that has surprised the EV industry, Bajaj Auto has officially launched its most affordable variant yet—the Bajaj Chetak C2501. Launched this week (January 2026), this new model is priced aggressively at ₹91,399 (ex-showroom), finally breaking the psychological ₹1 lakh barrier.
But with a lower price comes lower specs. Is this budget-friendly Chetak a smart buy or a compromised machine?
Here is everything you need to know about the new C2501 model before you book it.
The Price War: Undercutting the Competition
The biggest headline is undoubtedly the price. At ₹91,399, the Bajaj Chetak C2501 is positioned directly against the Ola S1 X (3kWh) and the TVS iQube (2.2kWh). Bajaj has clearly realized that to capture the mass market, they need to shed the “premium-only” tag.
This pricing strategy makes it accessible to college students, homemakers, and daily commuters who want the reliability of the Bajaj brand without spending a fortune. However, to achieve this price, Bajaj has made significant changes under the hood.
Battery and Range: Enough for the City?
The Bajaj Chetak C2501 is powered by a 2.5 kWh battery pack. This is smaller than the 2.9 kWh or 3.2 kWh packs found in its elder siblings, but it is optimized for urban chaos.
- Certified Range: The company claims an IDC range of 113 km on a full charge.
- Real-World Expectation: In city traffic conditions, you can expect a practical range of roughly 80-90 km, which is sufficient for most daily commutes.
- Charging Time: The scooter comes with a standard off-board charger that takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to go from 0 to 100%.
While the range is decent, the top speed has been capped at 55 kmph. This clearly indicates that the scooter is strictly meant for city roads and not for highway runs.
Major Design Changes: A New Look?
If you look closely, you will notice that the Bajaj Chetak C2501 looks slightly different from the Premium variants. Bajaj has tweaked the design to differentiate the base model while cutting manufacturing costs.
- Indicators: Unlike the premium models where indicators are integrated into the front apron, the C2501 features handlebar-mounted indicators.
- Tail Light: The rear sees a new horizontal LED tail light design, replacing the signature split-light setup of the expensive versions.
- Display: Gone is the fancy TFT screen. The C2501 gets a monochrome Reverse LCD display that shows basic info like speed, battery, and odometer.
Despite these changes, Bajaj has reportedly retained the metal body panels, ensuring that the scooter still feels robust compared to the plastic bodies of its competitors.
The “Hub Motor” Shift
Perhaps the most significant technical change is the motor. For the first time, Bajaj has moved away from its complex mid-drive motor setup.
The Bajaj Chetak C2501 employs a hub-mounted motor (located in the rear wheel).
- Power: It delivers a peak power of 2.2 kW.
- Performance: While hub motors are generally less punchy than mid-drive ones, they are cheaper to manufacture and easier to maintain.
- Hill Hold: Surprisingly, even at this price point, the scooter supports features like Hill Hold Assist, which is a massive plus for riders in hilly cities.
Comparison: Chetak C2501 vs. Ola S1 X
The direct rival to this scooter is the Ola S1 X. While Ola offers a higher top speed (90 kmph) and slightly more range on paper for a similar price, Bajaj plays the “Peace of Mind” card.
The Bajaj Chetak C2501 offers a proven service network, metal build quality, and a more stable ownership experience compared to the software-glitch-prone reputation of some rivals. However, if speed is your priority, the Chetak C2501 might feel sluggish with its 55 kmph cap.
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Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The Bajaj Chetak C2501 is not for enthusiasts. It is a no-nonsense, point-A-to-point-B machine designed for the average Indian commuter. If your daily travel is under 60 km and you rarely cross 50 kmph, this is a fantastic value-for-money option that brings the trust of Bajaj at an entry-level price.
With bookings now open, this “Baby Chetak” is expected to flood Indian roads in the coming months.
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned are ex-showroom and subject to change. Please contact your nearest Bajaj dealership for the exact on-road price and availability in your city.
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