We compare two of the best selling electric family scooters in detail

The Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube are amongst the best selling electric scooters in the Indian market.

Both come with a good overall range, performance and a long list of features. Here is a detailed comparison between the Chetak 3501 and the iQube ST 3.5kWh variants.

Design

The Bajaj Chetak and TVS iQube take very different approaches in terms of design. The Chetak is more of a neo-retro style scooter, with smooth curves, a round LED headlamp, and premium all-metal body panels. The chrome accents and alloy wheels enhance its classic appeal.

On the other hand, the TVS iQube ST adopts a more modern yet minimalistic look, also with smooth curves but a horizontal LED strip, and slightly boxy panels. Its design feels more conventional and urban-focused, whereas the Chetak balances elegance and heritage, making both scooters visually appealing but catering to distinct tastes.

Battery Pack And Motor

The top-spec Bajaj Chetak 3501 comes with a 4kW motor which is rated at 4.2kW peak power and it uses a 3.5kWh battery pack. It has a claimed range of 153km and a claimed top speed of 73kmph. The Chetak comes with a 750W charger that can charge it from 0 to 80% in 3 hours (claimed).

The TVS iQube ST also gets a 3.5kWh battery pack that powers a 3kW motor with a peak power rating of 4.4kW. It comes with a claimed range of 145km, goes from 0 to 40kmph in 4.2-seconds and the claimed top speed is 78kmph. The claimed 0 to 80% charging time for both of these scooters is exactly identical for these scooters, even with the iQube's more powerful 950W charger.

Underpinnings

The Bajaj Chetak uses a steel tube frame with a single-sided trailing arm and a rear monoshock. There is a front disc and a rear drum brake setup with CBS (combined braking system). The scooter runs on 12-inch alloy wheels at both ends with 90-section tyres. The Chetak weighs 134kg (kerb) and gets a ground clearance of 163mm which is decent for Indian roads.

The TVS iQube also uses a steel tube frame with a conventional telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorbers. It also gets a front disc and rear drum brake setup with CBS and uses 12-inch alloy wheels at both ends with 90-section tyres. At 129.7kg (kerb), it is slightly lighter than the Chetak, but gets 6mm lower ground clearance 157mm.

Features

The Bajaj Chetak 3501 comes with a 5-inch TFT console and is simple and organised in terms of the orientation. It supports smartphone connectivity with SMS/call alerts, and with the TecPac (costs Rs 5,000 extra) it gets Google maps based navigation, music control, remote immobilizer, high speed alert, document storage and ride modes: Eco and Sport. Other features include keyless ignition, reverse mode and self-cancelling indicators. It comes with a big 35-litre underseat storage, a big 5-litre front cubby hole and a USB charger.

The TVS iQube ST, meanwhile, goes further with a larger 7-inch TFT console that supports touch and joystick control. It gets features like turn-by-turn navigation, SMS/call alerts, music control, voice assist, customizable themes, vehicle location tracking, live vehicle health monitoring. It also gets the last parked location, anti-theft alarm, park assist, reverse mode and 2 ride modes: Eco and Power. When compared to the Chetak, the iQube gets a slightly smaller 32-litre and underseat storage and a USB charger.