The above advertisement announcing Chetak as the leader in the EV scooter segment brought two stories of Chetak to my mind. First our story

HAMARA CHETAK: OUR STORY

The ad took me on a nostalgic journey down memory lane to the time I first bought my Chetak scooter back in 1978.

When I joined St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry, as a lecturer in 1977, my mode of transport was a bicycle. I aspired to own a scooter, and the most sought-after brand at the time was the Chetak, manufactured by Bajaj. The Chetak was in such high demand that the waiting period stretched to five or six years. However, an alternative existed—early delivery was possible if payment was made in foreign exchange.

Fortunately, my cousin (my father’s younger brother’s son) was living in the United States. We booked the scooter in my uncle’s name, who had the required amount in dollars, and the scooter was ready for delivery within three months.

My uncle and a person skilled in riding scooters, accompanied me to Ernakulam to collect it. I, along with the other person, rode the new scooter home with great excitement. I still remember reading the user manual, which began with the line: “Chetak is the name of the horse of King Maharana Pratap.”

True to its name, my Chetak, of 7.5 BHP (horsepower), showed its strength and spirit on the very first ride. As I entered our house compound—a raised area above the road—I gave the throttle a bit too much. The front wheel lifted off the ground, causing me to fall. It was an unforgettable and symbolic beginning to my journey with Chetak.

I used to ride my Chetak to college every day, picking up my colleague, Mr. P.C. Jose, who lived along the way. This continued until my wedding in 1982.

After marriage, riding with my wife as the pillion passenger became a cherished experience—it was not only uncommon at the time but also considered a status symbol. Dropping her off and picking her up from Assumption College, where she worked as a lecturer, was part of our daily routine. During the rainy season, she wore a floral-printed Duckback raincoat—a thoughtful gift from my brother-in-law, specially brought from Calcutta.

As our family grew, I began ferrying our children on the Chetak. One by one, as they got older—and larger in number—they all found a place on that little scooter. I still remember a light-hearted comment from a keen observer of mine who worked in the police department. By 1987, when we had three children, he remarked, “This is overload!” Yet, the five of us often traveled together, though not for long distances; those moments remain etched in memory.

We purchased an LML Vespa with an automatic start feature towards the end of the 1980s. Eventually, we graduated to owning cars—starting with the humble Maruti 800, followed by the Maruti Zen, and then the Swift Dzire (diesel), Dzire (automatic), and now the Tata Tigor EV. But the deep emotional imprint left by the Chetak became especially clear three years back. On our 40th wedding anniversary, our three children surprised us with a specially made caricature, drawn by an artist, capturing those early days on the scooter.

Back in those days, a famous jingle filled the airwaves: “Hamara Bajaj, Hamara Bajaj, Hamara Bajaj“.

For our family, we could proudly sing our own version—“Hamara Chetak.”

 CHETAK: BRAND’S STORY

The Evolution of Scooters in India

Birth of Chetak

Imported scooters like the iconic Vespa made their entry into India in the late 1940s, with domestic manufacturing beginning in the 1950s. One of the most beloved Indian scooters, the Bajaj Chetak, was launched in 1972. A 145cc model, it was an Indian adaptation of the globally renowned Vespa from Italy’s Piaggio. Known for its reliability and durability, the Chetak rarely needed garage visits and earned a reputation for having one of the best engines on two wheels at the time.

For India’s urban upper-middle-class families, the Chetak was more than just a mode of transport—it became a trusted member of the household. During the Licence Raj era, when only government-authorized companies could manufacture vehicles and production was strictly regulated, demand for the Chetak far outstripped supply. Waiting periods stretched into years, and people patiently waited their turn.

However, the 1990s brought economic liberalisation. With it, the long waitlists vanished. You could now walk into a showroom and ride out on a Chetak. Demand surged, and delivery numbers soared.

Gearless scooters emerge leading to the closure of Chetak

A major shift in the scooter segment came in 2001 with the launch of the gearless Honda Activa. Marketed as a unisex, family-friendly scooter, it became a game-changer, appealing to everyone from young adults to parents. Its success inspired a wave of competition, with brands like TVS, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Hero MotoCorp entering the fray. Yet, the Activa has continued to dominate the segment, maintaining over 50% market share to this day.

Despite its legendary status, the Chetak couldn’t keep pace with the changing preferences and growing competition from bikes and gearless scooters. In 2005, Bajaj Auto ceased scooter production entirely, marking the end of an era.

Electric scooters: the latest chapter – paves the way for Chetak reentry

The next major leap came in 2018 with the introduction of electric scooters by Ather Energy. This sparked a revolution, followed by entries from Ola Electric, Hero MotoCorp, and TVS. Bajaj Auto also made a comeback, unveiling an electric version of the Chetak under its Urbanite EV brand in 2019, with the official launch taking place in January 2020.

The growth of electric two-wheelers in India has been phenomenal, spurred by government incentives. Sales surged by 33% in 2024 compared to the previous year, with the first quarter of 2025 alone witnessing a record 16.5% increase.

While Ola Electric led the EV scooter segment with over 30% market share for a time, Bajaj Chetak Electric surged ahead in the first quarter of 2025, overtaking Ola and TVS iQube to become the top player in the electric two-wheeler market—a remarkable comeback for a name once synonymous with Indian mobility.

Bajaj Chetak: A Legacy Reborn

The resurgence of the Bajaj Chetak marks a powerful return of a legacy brand that once defined mobility for generations. Dominating the Indian scooter market through the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, Chetak had become a household name. Now, in its electric form, it has reclaimed that status, reigniting nostalgia while capturing the imagination of a new generation.

This success is driven by Bajaj Auto Ltd’s robust network of over 3,800 sales and service outlets, combined with the strong market response to its recent launches—the 29 Series and the 35 Series—which together sold over 2 lakh units in 2024.

“We are proud to reach this significant milestone. Chetak has once again become a customer favourite, transitioning smoothly from its Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) legacy to its electric future,” said Eric Vas, President of the Urbanite Business Unit at Bajaj Auto.

This milestone marks more than just a sales achievement—it declares the rebirth of a brand that once ruled Indian roads and now returns with renewed purpose.

Chetak in its Third Avatar – Evolving with the Times

Staying true to its legendary namesake—Chetak, the valiant horse of Maharana Pratap, the 16th-century ruler of Udaipur, renowned for its loyalty, courage, and speed—the Chetak scooter continues to honor its legacy. From its iconic presence in the ICE era (1971–2005) to its advanced electric form launched in 2019, Chetak has seamlessly adapted to changing times while preserving its heritage.

The question remains: After five years since its introduction, Chetak Electric scooter has finally emerged at the top, achieving this milestone in the first quarter of 2025. Can Chetak maintain its leading position in such a highly competitive market? Only time will tell.