Bajaj Chetak 3503: In a country where the iconic Bajaj Chetak once ruled the roads, becoming synonymous with reliability and trustworthiness, the rebirth of this legendary name in an electric avatar feels almost poetic.
The latest addition to Bajaj’s electric lineup, the Chetak 3503, represents not just a step forward in sustainable mobility but also connects generations through a shared cultural touchpoint.
As India gravitates toward greener transportation options, the Chetak 3503 emerges as a compelling choice that balances nostalgia, practicality, and forward-thinking design.
Bajaj Chetak 3503: A Strategic Entry in the Market
Launched in April 2025 as the most affordable offering in Bajaj’s 35 Series of electric scooters, the Chetak 3503 has been strategically positioned to capture the growing segment of price-conscious consumers seeking to make the transition to electric mobility.
Priced at Rs. 1,09,500 (ex-showroom), it undercuts its siblings—the Chetak 3502 (Rs. 1,22,497) and the flagship Chetak 3501 (Rs. 1,34,052)—by a significant margin while retaining most of their essential features.
This competitive pricing puts the Chetak 3503 within reach of many middle-class Indian families who have been hesitant to embrace electric vehicles due to their traditionally higher price tags.
By creating this more accessible entry point, Bajaj isn’t just expanding its market share; it’s potentially accelerating India’s shift toward sustainable transportation solutions.
The timing couldn’t be more appropriate. With rising fuel prices and growing environmental consciousness, the Chetak 3503 arrives at a moment when consumers are increasingly open to alternatives to conventional petrol-powered two-wheelers.
Its launch also coincides with government incentives for electric vehicle adoption, further sweetening the proposition for potential buyers.
Design Philosophy: Honoring Heritage While Embracing the Future
The Chetak 3503 strikes a delicate balance between paying homage to its legendary predecessor and establishing a contemporary identity.
The design language retains the classic silhouette that made the original Chetak a style icon, but with modern refinements that signal its forward-looking technology.
Unlike many electric scooters that rely heavily on plastic components, the Chetak 3503 features a full metal body—a deliberate design choice that not only enhances durability but also creates a tangible connection to the robust construction of its namesake.
This solid build quality instills confidence and distinguishes the Chetak from competitors that often feel less substantial.
The flowing lines and curvaceous panels echo the elegant aesthetics of the original while incorporating contemporary elements. LED lighting features prominently, with modern headlamps that provide excellent visibility while consuming minimal power.
The clean, uncluttered look is complemented by thoughtful details like tasteful badges and premium paint finishes.
Available in four distinct colors—Brooklyn Black, Indigo Blue, Matt Grey, and Cyber White—the Chetak 3503 offers personalization options to suit diverse tastes.
Each hue has been carefully selected to complement the scooter’s design contours, with the metallic finishes particularly highlighting its premium character.
Performance and Range: Practical Everyday Mobility
The heart of the Chetak 3503 is its electric powertrain, which represents a careful balance of performance, efficiency, and range. Powered by a 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack—the same capacity used in the higher-tier variants—the Chetak 3503 delivers sufficient power for urban commuting while maximizing range.
While Bajaj has deliberately capped the top speed at 63 km/h (compared to the 73 km/h achieved by the 3501 model), this limitation has resulted in an extended range.
The Chetak 3503 boasts an impressive certified range of 151 kilometers on a single charge, making it one of the longest-range electric scooters in its price segment. For the average urban commuter traveling 30-40 kilometers daily, this translates to multiple days of usage between charges.
The electric motor delivers instant torque, providing responsive acceleration from standstill—a characteristic that proves particularly valuable in stop-and-go city traffic. With 20 Nm of torque available, the Chetak 3503 offers zippy performance that belies its modest power output.
Two riding modes—Eco and Sport—allow users to prioritize either range or performance depending on their needs.
Charging the Chetak 3503 is straightforward, requiring 3 hours and 25 minutes to reach 80% capacity from zero. This relatively quick charging time means that most users can easily replenish the battery during work hours or overnight, eliminating range anxiety for daily commutes.
Feature-Rich Experience Despite Cost-Cutting
To achieve its competitive price point, Bajaj has made selective reductions in the feature set compared to the higher-priced variants. However, the Chetak 3503 remains impressively equipped for its price segment.
The most notable compromise is the braking system, which uses drum brakes at both ends instead of the front disc/rear drum setup found on the premium variants.
While this affects stopping power somewhat, the system remains adequate for the scooter’s intended usage and speed capabilities.
The Chetak 3503 also foregoes the sequential turn indicators and touchscreen display of its premium siblings, instead featuring conventional indicators and a color LCD digital console.
However, this simpler display still provides comprehensive information including speed, battery status, estimated range, and riding mode.
Bluetooth connectivity remains intact, allowing riders to pair their smartphones for features like call and message notifications, and music control directly from the handlebar.
This integration ensures that riders can stay connected without compromising safety by handling their phones while riding.
Perhaps most importantly, Bajaj has retained the expansive 35-liter underseat storage—a class-leading feature that can accommodate a full-face helmet along with personal items.
This practical touch makes the Chetak 3503 a genuinely useful daily companion, capable of handling shopping trips and commuter essentials with ease.
Additional features that enhance the riding experience include hill-hold assist (preventing rollback on inclines), reverse mode for easier parking in tight spaces, and IP67 certification for water and dust resistance—crucial for India’s varied and sometimes challenging climate conditions.
Ride Quality and Handling: Urban Agility
The Chetak 3503 has been engineered with Indian road conditions in mind, featuring suspension tuning that balances comfort and stability.
The front telescopic fork and rear monoshock absorb road imperfections effectively, delivering a comfortable ride even on less-than-ideal surfaces.
At approximately 130 kg, the Chetak 3503 is heavier than many conventional petrol scooters—a consequence of its metal body construction and battery pack. However, this weight is well-distributed, resulting in a planted feel and stability at speed.
The 12-inch wheels further contribute to this stability while providing adequate ground clearance for navigating urban obstacles.
The riding position is upright and comfortable, with an 80mm longer seat compared to earlier Chetak models. This extended seating area accommodates riders of various heights while providing sufficient space for a pillion passenger. The floorboard offers ample room for different foot positions during longer rides, reducing fatigue.
Handling in city conditions is particularly impressive, with the Chetak 3503 demonstrating agility in traffic and ease of maneuverability in tight spaces.
The balanced weight distribution becomes apparent when navigating through congested areas, where the scooter feels substantially more nimble than its physical dimensions might suggest.
Ownership Experience: Addressing EV Adoption Concerns
Understanding that many potential customers may be first-time electric vehicle owners, Bajaj has structured the ownership experience to address common concerns about EV adoption.
The warranty package is comprehensive, with standard coverage of 3 years or 50,000 kilometers, whichever comes earlier.
Buyers also have the option to purchase extended warranty packages for additional peace of mind. This commitment to after-sales support helps mitigate concerns about battery longevity and reliability—often cited as barriers to EV adoption.
The Chetak’s service network leverages Bajaj’s extensive dealer infrastructure across India, ensuring that maintenance and support are readily accessible even in smaller cities and towns.
This addresses another frequent concern about electric vehicles: the availability of qualified service facilities outside major metropolitan areas.
Operating costs represent a significant advantage, with electricity costs per kilometer substantially lower than petrol equivalents.
Owners report spending as little as one-third of their previous fuel budgets after switching to the Chetak. Moreover, the simplified drivetrain requires less maintenance, further reducing ownership costs over time.
For additional convenience, Bajaj offers connected features through a dedicated smartphone application that allows remote monitoring of battery status, charging history, and ride statistics.
The app also facilitates service bookings and provides maintenance reminders, streamlining the ownership experience.
Market Position and Competition
The Chetak 3503 enters a competitive landscape populated by established players like Ather Energy, TVS, and Ola Electric.
However, it carves out a distinct position through its combination of classic design, metal body construction, and competitive pricing.
Unlike some competitors that emphasize bleeding-edge technology and performance, Bajaj has focused the Chetak 3503 on practical, reliable everyday transportation.
This approach resonates particularly with more conservative buyers who prioritize dependability and brand trust over novelty.
The pricing strategy positions the Chetak 3503 against mid-tier offerings from other manufacturers while offering the reassurance of Bajaj’s established reputation and service network.
This value proposition has contributed to Bajaj becoming India’s leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in March 2025, with nearly 29,000 units sold that month alone.
In many ways, the Chetak 3503 mirrors the approach of its namesake from decades past—focusing on practical transportation rather than extravagant features.
This continuity of philosophy creates an authentic connection between past and present that resonates with Indian consumers who may have family memories associated with the original Chetak.
Environmental and Social Impact
Beyond individual ownership benefits, the Chetak 3503 contributes to broader environmental goals. Each petrol scooter replaced by an electric alternative represents a significant reduction in local emissions, particularly important in India’s polluted urban centers.
The scooter’s silent operation also addresses the growing problem of noise pollution in densely populated areas.
As adoption increases, the cumulative effect of thousands of quiet electric scooters replacing noisy petrol engines could substantially improve urban quality of life.
From a social perspective, the democratization of electric mobility through more accessible price points helps ensure that the benefits of clean transportation aren’t limited to affluent segments of society.
By making electric vehicles attainable for middle-class families, the Chetak 3503 broadens participation in India’s sustainability transition.
Looking Forward: Evolution and Market Expansion
The introduction of the Chetak 3503 represents a strategic milestone in Bajaj’s electric mobility journey. By establishing a more accessible entry point, the company is positioned to capture a broader customer base while gathering valuable real-world data to inform future development.
As production volumes increase and battery technology continues to advance, there’s potential for further price reductions and performance improvements.
The modular architecture of the 35 Series also provides flexibility for Bajaj to introduce additional variants targeting specific use cases or price points.
Industry analysts anticipate that the Chetak 3503 will play a pivotal role in accelerating electric two-wheeler adoption beyond early adopters and into the mainstream market.
Its balance of traditional styling with modern technology creates a bridge between conventional scooters and more radical electric designs, potentially easing the transition for conservative buyers.
Bajaj Chetak 3503: A Modern Classic for Changing Times
The Bajaj Chetak 3503 represents more than just another entry in the increasingly crowded electric scooter market.
It embodies a thoughtful approach to sustainable mobility that acknowledges both practical considerations and emotional connections.
By reviving an iconic nameplate and infusing it with modern technology, Bajaj has created a compelling proposition that speaks to both nostalgia and forward-thinking sensibilities.
The Chetak 3503’s accessible pricing removes a significant barrier to electric vehicle adoption while its practical features and solid construction address real-world usage needs.
In a market often characterized by futuristic designs and occasionally impractical features, the Chetak 3503 stands out through its focus on what matters most to everyday riders: reliability, practicality, and value.
By prioritizing these fundamentals while embracing electric propulsion, Bajaj has created a modern classic that honors its heritage while looking confidently toward a more sustainable future.
As India continues its journey toward electrification, the Chetak 3503 seems poised to play a significant role—not as the most advanced or powerful option, but as the one that makes electric mobility accessible and appealing to the broadest possible audience.
In this way, it carries forward the democratic spirit of its predecessor, bringing personal mobility to a new generation while addressing the environmental challenges of our time.