The affordable electric scooter space in India is getting more competitive with each passing day, making it confusing for buyers to choose the right option. To make things easier, we have picked two popular electric scooters in India, the Bajaj Chetak 3001 and the Ola S1X 3kWh. In this comparison, we will look at their price, range, features, battery, charging time and overall value to help you decide which one suits your needs better. Without further delay, let’s get into the details.

Pricing

Starting with one of the most important factors for customers, price, the Ola S1X 3kWh is priced at Rs 99,021, making it around Rs 11,000 cheaper than the Bajaj Chetak 3001, which costs Rs 1.10 lakh. So, if affordability is your first priority, the Ola S1X 3kWh comes across as the more appealing option. But let's see what each scooter has on offer.

Design

Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Ola S1X 3kWh
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Ola S1X 3kWh

In terms of design, both electric scooters take a very different approach. The Bajaj Chetak 3001 follows a neo-retro design language with a rounded headlamp, smooth body panels and a more premium, classic scooter appeal. On the other hand, the Ola S1X 3kWh gets a clean and minimalist design, giving it a more modern and simple look.

Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Ola S1X 3kWh
Bajaj Chetak 3001 vs Ola S1X 3kWh

When it comes to dimensions, both scooters are quite close on paper. The Ola S1X 3kWh has a slightly longer wheelbase at 1,359mm, which is just 4mm more than the Chetak 3001’s 1,355mm wheelbase. However, the Chetak offers better ground clearance at 168mm, which is 8mm higher than the Ola S1X’s 160mm. Meanwhile, the Ola S1X has a taller seat height of 791mm, making it 16mm higher than the Chetak’s 775mm seat height.

Features

Feature-wise, both scooters stand almost head-to-head and offer a good set of essentials. The Bajaj Chetak 3001 gets an LCD instrument cluster that displays key information such as speed, odometer, trip meter, clock, remaining range and battery status. It also comes with practical additions like hill-hold assist, reverse mode and two riding modes: Eco and Sport. Bluetooth connectivity is also available, allowing users to access call and SMS alerts along with music controls.

The Ola S1X 3kWh also gets an LCD console with readouts for speed, odometer, trip meter, clock, range and battery level. It further offers Bluetooth-based call and SMS alerts, along with turn-by-turn navigation. In addition, the scooter gets cruise control, reverse mode and three riding modes: Sports, Normal and Eco.

In terms of practicality, both scooters offer almost similar underseat storage capacity of around 34-35 litres, which should be enough for everyday groceries, shopping bags or small daily-use items. Overall, both electric scooters are closely matched in the features department, but the Ola S1X 3kWh has a slight edge with navigation, cruise control and an extra riding mode, while the Chetak 3001 counters with hill-hold assist and a more premium feel.

Specifications

When it comes to the hardware setup, both scooters keep things simple and city-friendly. The Bajaj Chetak 3001 uses a single-sided front suspension, while the Ola S1X 3kWh gets a more conventional telescopic fork setup. At the rear, both scooters use an offset single shock absorber, which should be suitable for regular urban commutes. Braking duties are handled by drum brakes at both ends on both models, so there is no major difference here. Even the front tyre size is identical at 90/90-12. However, the Chetak gets a slightly wider 90/100-12 rear tyre, while the Ola S1X continues with a 90/90-12 unit at the rear as well. Overall, the setup is quite practical on both scooters, but the Chetak gets a small advantage with its wider rear tyre.

Battery And Range

The battery and performance comparison is where things get more interesting. Both the Bajaj Chetak 3001 and Ola S1X 3kWh come with a 3kWh battery pack, but their output figures are quite different. The Ola S1X 3kWh takes the lead on paper with a higher claimed range of 176km, compared to the Chetak 3001’s 151km. It also offers a much higher claimed top speed of 115kmph, while the Chetak 3001 is limited to 70kmph.

However, the Chetak makes a strong comeback when it comes to charging. It gets a 750W charger and can charge from 0 to 80 per cent in 2 hours and 55 minutes. In comparison, the Ola S1X 3kWh comes with a 350W charger and takes 7 hours and 15 minutes for the same 0 to 80 per cent charge. So, while the Ola S1X looks stronger in terms of range and speed, the Chetak 3001 is clearly the quicker scooter to top up.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a fast, cheap, feature-loaded scooter, Ola S1X sounds like a good option. On the other hand, if you are someone who's looking for a neo-retro styled family scooter, the Bajaj Chetak 3001 seems to be a better option.