Can the Chetak 3501’s 153 km range be enough for urban Indian riders or is it still short of the mark?
An improvement over its predecessors, the Bajaj Chetak 3501 offers a claimed range of 153 km from a single charge. In the Indian electric scooter market, this range will put it in a competitive position. The debate around EV range anxiety is far from over, however, in a country where the charging infrastructure is currently still developing. Others contend that a daily urban commute is rarely more than 50–60 km round trip, and 153 km should be plenty. But others say it's still not enough, particularly for those who may need to use their scooters on longer trips or over several days without charging. Real world conditions such as traffic, weather, and riding style are also discussed about how they would affect this claimed range. Whether this is a good balance between battery size, cost and practicality, or if manufacturers should be aiming for bigger ranges to compete with petrol scooters is a common topic of conversation.
It's plenty for me! I commute 30 km a day, therefore I only need to charge once or twice a week. In fact, it's more convenient than having to stop at a petrol pump.
Not enough, in my opinion. If I want to book a weekend trip to a nearby town, what? Or if I forget to charge for one day? I can only feel comfortable with at least 200 km.
I think it's a good start, but we have to think that the real range may be less in the real world. Range can be reduced by traffic, using AC in the summer and carrying a pillion. It's okay, but not great.
For someone who's used EVs for years, 153 km is plenty. We overestimate how much we move each day. This is not about expecting EVs to measure up to petrol vehicles, it is about changing your charging habits.
It’s great to use in the city, but I’m concerned about longer trips. If I need to go visit relatives in another city? There’s no charging infrastructure on highways and I’m reluctant.
To me it feels like it hits the sweet spot. A larger battery would translate into more range and weight, a higher cost, and more weight. 153 km is practical for most users without overengineering the scooter.
The range is not important: it's the charge speed. Even a lower range is fine as long as it can charge quickly. I would rather be able to charge faster than have more range.
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Discussions and Questions Can The Chetak 3501S 153 Km Range Be Enough For Urban Indian Riders Or Is It Still Short Of The Mark
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