TVS iQube electric vs Bajaj Chetak electric: Competition Check

With the government pushing manufacturers to move towards electric mobility, major two-wheeler brands are now entering into the segment. The most recent entrant is TVS which introduced the iQube electric which will go up against Bajaj’s contender, the Chetak electric. Now, for the prospective buyers who are confused between the two, let’s find out which one’s better on paper.

Design

The styling of both electric scooters is more conventional as compared to the futuristic looks of most of the new EVs. However, they have their own characters. While the iQube looks more in line with the modern petrol-powered scooters, the Chetak harks back to its erstwhile forefather. 

TVS has bestowed its e-scooter with an edgy styling comprising of a boxy profile, whereas the Chetak boasts of smooth flowing lines across it curvy body panels. Notably, the latter gets a bunch of nifty styling elements which shows Bajaj’s focus towards attention to detail. The Chetak has also been launched in six trendy colour options while the iQube comes in a single white paint scheme only.

Features

Typical of electric scooters, both rivals are modern on the feature front. They get full-LED lighting and a fully-digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity and a host of information about the ride and the scooter. However, the iQube is one step ahead as it gets a more advanced TFT display (Chetak gets LCD) with an in-built SIM for connected features. It displays more information on the console itself, rather than showing them on the smartphone app like that on the Chetak.

Battery and Motor

Battery range is one of the prime concerns of EV buyers and the Chetak has an upper hand here. With its 3kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Chetak delivers a range of 85kms and 95kms depending on the selected riding mode. Meanwhile, the iQube’s 2.25kWh battery pack has been claimed to last for 75kms on a single charge. But where the TVS takes the lead is in terms of top speed as it can go up to 78kmph while the Chetak maxes out at 60kmph. The iQube is also claimed to have a 0-40kmph acceleration time of 4.2 seconds. Both scooters come with a 5A charger and can be topped up in around five hours. 

Cycle Parts

The iQube and Chetak ride on identical 12-inch wheels, but with different suspension setup. While the former incorporates telescopic front forks and dual shock absorbers, the latter gets an old-school single-sided suspension at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Braking remains common for both e-scooters comprising of a disc brake up front and drum brake at the rear. The Chetak also comes in a lower-spec Urbane trim which gets drum brake at both ends. 

Pricing and availability

The Bajaj Chetak has been launched in two variants including Urbane and Premium which are priced at Rs 1.12 lakhs and Rs 1.29 lakhs. Besides the cosmetic differences in both models, the Premium trim gets a front disc brake which the Urbane misses out on. It is available for booking in Pune and Bangalore while deliveries will commence by the end of February. As for the iQube, TVS has introduced it in a single variant which carries a price tag of Rs 1.15 lakhs. Currently, it is available only in Bangalore where bookings and deliveries of the scooter have already begun. (All prices are on road)