The Bajaj Chetak C25, the brand’s city-focused electric scooter for new riders, is not a watered-down version of the Bajaj Chetak C35 series
Story: Salman Bargir
Photography: Siddharth Dadhe
While commuting to the office on the C25, I found myself reflecting on how today’s riders are spoilt for choice when it comes to two-wheelers. It took me back to how different the scenario was when I first started riding. As I pondered, I realised that a rising number of the new generation is now likely to experience an electric vehicle as their very first ride, much in keeping with how they’ve grown up surrounded by digital devices. And every time I ride or drive an electric vehicle (EV), the contrast is impossible to ignore: the near-silent operation, the immediate response, and the overall feel set them apart distinctly from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The feeling was even more pronounced with the C25, especially this time around, riding an EV through the inner parts of the city, areas where I had spent years on ICE-powered two-wheelers growing up. The idea was to take the Chetak into tight, narrow spaces, right into the heart of the hustle, bustle, and chaos. And what better place to do that than a busy market?
En route to and from the market through the by-lanes of Pune’s peth areas, the C25 feels effortless. Its ergonomics are sorted and, aided by a shorter wheelbase, it is easy and fun to weave through narrow streets. The acceleration isn’t outright punchy, but smooth and linear. I spent most of my time in Eco mode, which not only maximised range but also delivered a relaxed and easy-going riding experience. Sport mode, while slightly jerky, offered a crisper throttle response, useful when stretching the scooter’s legs and also for overtakes on wider city roads.
Thoughtfully tuned for newer riders, the front brake offers a progressive feel, while pulling the left-side lever engages both front and rear brakes via the combined braking system, resulting in stronger stopping. The front telescopic suspension handles bumps, potholes, and corners well, although it occasionally produces a thud over sharper, uneven patches. The rear set-up, on the other hand, is well calibrated, delivering a comfortable ride both with and without a pillion. Speaking of which, despite its compact proportions, the scooter is comfortable enough for two-up riding around town.
While the claimed range is 113 kilometres, our experience suggests the scooter can realistically deliver around 85 to 90 km on a single charge when ridden judiciously. Aggressive, accelerator-heavy riding, especially in Sport mode, does see the indicated range drop significantly.
The essence of electric scooters lies in efficiency, sustainability, and convenience. While they are capable of delivering instant performance and excitement, exploiting that performance unnecessarily can be counterproductive, especially in a machine designed primarily for daily commutes and routine urban use.
And that is where the Bajaj Chetak C25 shines. Its headlight offered good illumination with a sufficient throw for typical city speeds. While the reflective outer cover can cause some glare under harsh sunlight, the LCD instrument cluster is colourful, contemporary, and remains legible for the most part. Also, the scooter’s 25-litre under-seat storage proved very useful, easily accommodating all the groceries and essentials I needed to carry home. For reference, it fits my full-face medium-size helmet with an aero fin, something even some larger scooters could not manage. There are also handy cubbies in the front apron, useful for storing and quickly accessing small items such as a cleaning cloth and a bottle of water.
In crowded market conditions, the scooter’s compact dimensions made it easy to thread through tight spaces, as well as park and manoeuvre without fuss. It made me question the need for a reverse mode on such a lightweight scooter until I noticed an elderly rider struggling to pull their scooter out on a slope. In that moment, the usefulness of a reverse function became immediately apparent.
Thus, in conclusion, the Bajaj Chetak C25 isn’t just for newbies; it’s for anyone who values the practicality of a scooter paired with an enjoyable riding experience, whether within a bustling metropolis or across nearby rural roads and villages.
