Detailed Review of Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 Electric Scooter: Is It Worth Your Money?
The Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 Electric Scooter is an exciting product for eco-conscious riders. It promises a smooth, silent, and stylish ride. However, not everything is as perfect as it seems. I’ve had first-hand experience with the Chetak Premium 2024, and in this review, I’ll dive deep into the positives and negatives.
Whether you’re considering it for your next electric scooter or just curious, this review will help you decide if it’s worth the investment. Spoiler alert: It’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
Key Features of Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024
Here are some features Bajaj highlights for the Chetak Premium:
- Range: 90-105 km depending on the rider and mode (Eco Mode or otherwise)
- Onboard charger: Included with the scooter
- Battery: Lithium-Ion with fast charging capability
- TFT Display: 5-inch screen for all riding data
- Bluetooth Connectivity: But only usable with TecPac subscription
While these features sound impressive, the real-world experience may be different. Let’s explore what I discovered after owning this electric scooter.
The Promises vs. Reality of Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024
The initial attraction to the Chetak Premium is understandable. It’s electric, sleek, and appears to be cost-effective. But after purchasing it and using it for a few months, several issues came to light.
1. Delivery Problems and Poor Customer Service
When I ordered the Chetak Premium 2024 on Amazon in March, I was promised home delivery. However, I was required to pick it up from a Bajaj showroom due to “high demand.” This wasn’t a deal breaker for me, but it felt like a warning sign.
Even worse, within 30 km of riding, the scooter failed to start after a full charge. I contacted the sales team, only to be told to contact the insurance company for pickup. For a brand new scooter, this was extremely disappointing.
The service center refused assistance and directed me to manage the situation myself. If Bajaj can’t even handle customer support properly for a new electric scooter, what does that say about their overall service?
Hidden Costs: TecPac and Service Charges
One of the biggest shocks I encountered was the TecPac subscription. Bajaj advertises features like Bluetooth, extra keys, and a TFT display, but they all remain unusable unless you purchase the TecPac package. Here’s a breakdown of how these hidden costs add up:
| Service | Cost (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
| First Service | Rs. 450 |
| Second & Third Service | Rs. 750 each |
| Services After Third | Rs. 800 each |
| TecPac Subscription (Yearly) | Rs. 10,000 |
Without TecPac, the Bluetooth connectivity and other tech features remain locked. It feels like you’re paying for hardware that’s incomplete unless you cough up more money.
Limited Range and High Maintenance Costs
Another key issue with the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 is the actual range. While Bajaj claims 105 km on a full charge in Eco Mode, the real-world scenario is closer to 90 km. If you have a second rider, this drops even further to about 90-95 km.
The high maintenance costs are another concern:
- For every service, Bajaj charges for software updates along with basic maintenance like brake checks and light repairs.
- In Ahmedabad, there are only two service centers, both of which are often crowded. You could be paying as much as Rs. 1300 for a single service, including cab charges if you’re far from the service center.
Pickup and Drop Charges Post First Year
During the first year, pickup and drop services are free. However, after that, you’re charged Rs. 50 per km for this service. If your service center is more than 50 km away, you could be looking at an additional cost of Rs. 2500 or more just to transport your scooter.
This is particularly inconvenient if you live in a city with limited service centers like Ahmedabad or Mumbai.
Real Customer Feedback
During a visit to the service center, I encountered many frustrated customers. They were facing delays in repairs, with some waiting up to 20 days for spare parts. Here’s what one of them had to say:
“I’ve had this scooter for a few months, and I’ve already had to bring it in three times. It’s frustrating, especially when the service centers are always so overcrowded.”
This paints a clear picture: Bajaj needs to do a lot more to improve their after-sales service and make the Chetak Premium more reliable.
Breakdown of Costs: With and Without TecPac
| Feature | Cost Without TecPac | Cost With TecPac |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | Rs. 1,58,000 | Rs. 1,68,000 |
| Bluetooth & TFT Display | Not Usable | Usable |
| Subscription Cost | N/A | Rs. 10,000/year |
The Rs. 10,000 annual TecPac subscription adds up, making this scooter more expensive than anticipated. Without it, you lose access to features you’ve technically already paid for.
Key Takeaways
- Range is lower than advertised: Expect around 90-95 km in real-world use.
- Service is frustrating: Limited service centers and hidden costs make it difficult to maintain the scooter without breaking the bank.
- Hidden costs with TecPac: Bluetooth and display features are locked unless you pay extra.
- High maintenance costs: Regular service charges and expensive upgrades make ownership costly.
- Poor customer service: Both the sales team and service centers are often unhelpful.
Pros and Cons of Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024
Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Zero emissions, perfect for city rides.
- Sleek design: Modern and attractive look.
- Decent build quality: Feels solid and durable.
Cons:
- Hidden costs: TecPac subscription and service charges add up.
- Limited service centers: Could be far from your location.
- Poor range: Doesn’t match the advertised 105 km.
- Slow service response: Long waits for repairs and spare parts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the real-world range of the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024?
- In real-world use, you can expect around 90-95 km, especially in Eco Mode with one or two riders.
- Is the TecPac subscription necessary?
- Without TecPac, certain features like Bluetooth and the TFT display are unusable. It costs around Rs. 10,000 per year.
- What are the hidden costs of owning a Bajaj Chetak Premium?
- Hidden costs include service charges, TecPac subscriptions, and post-first year pickup/drop charges.
- Is the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 worth buying?
- It’s worth considering only if you’re okay with hidden costs and limited service center availability. The scooter is reliable for short distances, but it falls short in long-term value.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024?
The Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 is marketed as a top-tier electric scooter, but in reality, it has some significant downsides. While it offers eco-friendliness and a sleek design, the hidden costs, poor service support, and limited range make it less attractive.
If you’re looking for a reliable electric scooter, beware of these issues before making a purchase. There are better alternatives available, but if you’re set on the Chetak Premium, just be prepared for the additional costs and maintenance hassles.
My Personal Experience with the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 Electric Scooter: A Lesson Learned
I was excited to join the electric vehicle revolution. After much research, I decided to purchase the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024 Electric Scooter. It seemed like the perfect fit—eco-friendly, stylish, and affordable. The idea of riding a silent, smooth electric scooter made me feel like I was doing my part for the environment. However, my experience turned out to be far from what I had expected.
The Delivery Surprise
I ordered the scooter online from Amazon in March 2024, expecting the convenience of home delivery as promised. But shortly after, I was told I had to pick it up from the Bajaj showroom due to high order volumes. It wasn’t ideal, but I brushed it off. Little did I know, this was the first of many surprises.
The Scooter Breakdown: Day Two Disaster
The excitement quickly faded. On my second day of riding, after just 30 km, the scooter refused to start. This happened even after a full charge. I was confused. How could a brand-new electric scooter break down so quickly?
I contacted the sales team, hoping for immediate help. But instead of offering a solution, they told me to contact the insurance company for pickup. Seriously? For a brand new vehicle? They showed zero urgency. Even worse, the service center refused to take responsibility, saying their job was just to transport the scooter, not fix it.
I had to find the Bajaj service center on my own. When I dropped the scooter off, I didn’t even get a confirmation of receipt. I had to call them later to ensure they had it. This was definitely not the experience I had imagined.
TecPac Confusion: Locked Features and Hidden Costs
One of the major selling points for me was the scooter’s Bluetooth connectivity and its 5-inch TFT display. But once I had the scooter, I discovered that these features were locked behind something called a TecPac subscription.
I already paid a hefty price for the scooter, and now I had to pay extra to use basic features? It felt like a bait-and-switch. Without TecPac, even something as simple as an extra key or Bluetooth couldn’t be activated. It cost Rs. 10,000 annually for the subscription, and that was just the start of the hidden costs.
The Reality of Maintenance and Service Costs
As the weeks went by, I started to dread the scheduled maintenance appointments. The first service was reasonably priced at Rs. 450, but by the second and third services, the cost had jumped to Rs. 750 each. After that, the price shot up to Rs. 800. If you lived far from the service center, like I did, you could easily end up paying Rs. 1300 per service due to cab charges.
In my city, Ahmedabad, there are only two service centers, and both are often overcrowded. During one of my visits, I noticed the staff didn’t even have time for lunch. Customers were clearly frustrated with the long wait times and the recurring technical issues.
The Final Straw: Range and Battery Performance
Another major disappointment was the scooter’s actual range. Bajaj advertises a 105 km range in Eco Mode, but in real-world conditions, I barely got 90-95 km with just me on the scooter. With a passenger, the range dropped even further. For someone who was hoping to use this scooter for my daily commute, this was a huge letdown.
What’s worse, after the first year, the free pickup and drop service ends. After that, they charge Rs. 50 per km. So if your service center is 50 km away, that’s an extra Rs. 2500 just to get the scooter there and back. Imagine paying for that every time your scooter breaks down—which, in my case, was quite often.
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024?
After a few months of owning this scooter, I can honestly say I regret buying it. The hidden costs, poor customer service, and disappointing range make it hard to recommend the Bajaj Chetak Premium 2024. If you’re considering buying this scooter, make sure you’re aware of the extra costs you’ll incur—especially with the TecPac subscription and service charges.
The idea of going electric is great, but Bajaj really needs to improve its after-sales service and make sure customers get what they pay for.
If you’re still interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me through my Facebook page: Or, if you need detailed information, you can contact me directly on my Contact Us page: .
