TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak Electric India 2026 — Honest
TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak Electric India 2026 — two traditional giants go head-to-head in the EV space. Honest comparison on range, charging, style, service, and who should buy which.
Ritik Tiwari
Reviewer & Founder, Adify · NIT Graduate | Covering Indian products since 2025
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The TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak represent two very different philosophies from two traditional two-wheeler giants entering the EV space. The iQube wins on practicality: more storage, longer range, better tech. The Chetak wins on style, ride refinement, and Bajaj's extraordinary service reach across India. Both are genuinely good scooters.
🏆 Best Overall: TVS iQube ST — Wins on range, storage, and feature set for practical commuters 💰 Style Pick: Bajaj Chetak Premium — Best-looking electric scooter in India, refined ride ⭐ Widest Service Reach: Bajaj Chetak — Bajaj dealer network is unmatched in smaller cities
Two Traditional Brands, Two Different EV Approaches
TVS and Bajaj have built India's two-wheeler market together for decades. Their EV entries reflect their company DNA:
TVS iQube: TVS is known for sporty, practical motorcycles and scooters. The iQube is a practical, tech-forward EV with good range and useful features — it feels like a TVS product designed for the EV era.
Bajaj Chetak: Bajaj revived the iconic Chetak name for their EV. The original Chetak was a beloved Italian-designed scooter that millions of Indians grew up riding. The new electric Chetak carries that legacy — refined, stylish, comfortable, and elegant.
Range — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: TVS iQube ST
| Range Metric | TVS iQube ST | Bajaj Chetak Premium |
|---|---|---|
| ARAI Certified Range | 145km | 108km |
| Real-World Range | 100-115km | 80-90km |
| Battery Capacity | 5.1kWh | 3.2kWh |
| Top Speed | 82 km/h | 73 km/h |
The iQube ST's 145km ARAI range (100-115km real world) comfortably beats the Chetak Premium's 108km ARAI (80-90km real world). For most daily commuters doing 30-40km, both are fine. But the iQube's range buffer is meaningfully better for longer commutes or on days when you forget to charge.
The Chetak's 80-90km real-world range is adequate for city use but has less buffer. If you miss a charging session, a 40km+ commute starts to require planning.
Verdict: TVS iQube wins on range and top speed.
Storage — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: TVS iQube ST — and it's not close
This is one of the iQube's most celebrated features: 42 litres of under-seat storage — one of the largest in any scooter in India, electric or petrol.
The Bajaj Chetak offers 16 litres under-seat storage — enough for a small bag but not a full-face helmet.
For daily commuters who carry a laptop bag, groceries, or a helmet, the iQube's storage advantage is enormous. It's the single biggest practical advantage of the iQube over the Chetak.
Verdict: TVS iQube wins decisively on storage.
Style and Design — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: Bajaj Chetak Premium — by a wide margin
The Bajaj Chetak is the most beautiful electric scooter in India. Its design draws from the original Italian-designed 1970s Chetak — rounded, elegant, timeless. Metal body panels give it a premium tactile quality that plastic-bodied scooters can't match. The colour options are sophisticated.
The TVS iQube ST looks like a capable, modern scooter. It's well-designed and contemporary. But it doesn't have the Chetak's visual identity or emotional appeal.
Verdict: Bajaj Chetak wins emphatically on design. If you care about how your scooter looks, the Chetak is the one.
Build Quality — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: Bajaj Chetak — metal panels, IP67 rating
The Chetak uses metal body panels (not plastic), giving it a more substantial feel. IP67 waterproofing is standard. The build quality feels European-influenced — solid, refined, with consistent panel gaps.
The iQube uses plastic body panels, which are lighter and more common. The build quality is good for the segment but doesn't match the Chetak's premium feel.
Verdict: Bajaj Chetak wins on materials and perceived quality.
Technology and Features — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: TVS iQube ST
The iQube ST is the more tech-forward scooter:
- 5-inch TFT display with navigation and live traffic
- TVS Connect app with ride analytics
- Glide-through mode (automatic slow-speed traffic assist)
- Three ride modes (Eco, City, Sport)
- Regenerative braking with adjustable intensity
The Chetak Premium has a smaller display, fewer ride modes, and less connected functionality. It's more of an elegant city scooter than a tech platform.
Verdict: TVS iQube ST wins on features and tech.
Charging — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: Draw — both rely primarily on home charging
Neither scooter has built a dedicated fast-charging network comparable to Ola's Hypercharger or Ather Grid.
- TVS iQube: Charges via portable charger (standard). 0-80% in approximately 4.5-5 hours. Compatible with TVS charging partners and third-party stations (Tata Power EZ Charge, ChargeZone, BPCL Pulse).
- Bajaj Chetak: Charges via portable charger. 0-100% in approximately 5 hours. Bajaj has partnered with some public charging networks.
Both are home-charger-first scooters. If you need dedicated fast charging, look at Ola or Ather.
Verdict: Draw — both are similar.
Service Network — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: Draw — both have excellent reach
Both TVS and Bajaj have some of the widest service networks in India. This is the shared advantage that separates them from Ola and Ather in smaller cities.
- TVS iQube dealers: 1,000+ cities
- Bajaj Chetak dealers: 900+ cities (Bajaj's dealer count is comparable)
For riders in Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, or rural areas, both brands are likely to have a dealer within comfortable distance. This is a genuine advantage over EV-first brands.
Verdict: Near-draw. Both have excellent service reach compared to the EV-first brands.
Ride Quality — TVS iQube vs Bajaj Chetak
Winner: Bajaj Chetak — more refined ride character
The Chetak's suspension tuning prioritises a smooth, comfortable ride. It absorbs city road imperfections gracefully and has a refined quality to the power delivery. It's not fast, but it's pleasant — the kind of scooter you enjoy riding daily.
The iQube ST's ride quality is good but more utilitarian. In Sport mode, it has more punch than the Chetak. In City mode, it's smooth and predictable.
Verdict: Chetak wins on ride refinement. iQube wins on performance.
Who Should Buy the TVS iQube ST?
- You carry things daily (laptop, groceries, helmet)
- You commute 40-60km and want range buffer
- You want connected features, navigation, and app analytics
- You value practicality over style
Who Should Buy the Bajaj Chetak Premium?
- Design and aesthetics matter to you — it's the best-looking EV in India
- You prefer a refined, comfortable ride over performance
- You're in a smaller city where Bajaj is well-established but iQube may not be
- You ride under 40km daily and don't need the extra range
- You're transitioning from a petrol scooter and want a familiar, approachable ride
Our Final Verdict
For most practical commuters: TVS iQube ST — It wins on nearly every functional metric. Range, storage, features, and tech put it ahead for riders who use their scooter as a daily tool.
For style-conscious riders and those in smaller cities: Bajaj Chetak Premium — If you want a beautiful scooter that Bajaj's vast network supports, and your daily needs fit within 80-90km, the Chetak is the more pleasant ownership experience.
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Where to Buy in India
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|---|---|---|
| Amazon India | Prime delivery in 1–2 days | Check Price ↗ |
| Flipkart | Standard delivery + Flipkart Plus | View on Flipkart ↗ |
| Croma | Home delivery + in-store pickup | Search on Croma ↗ |
| Reliance Digital | In-store and online | Search on Reliance Digital ↗ |
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About the Author
Ritik Tiwari
Ritik Tiwari is the founder of Adify and an NIT graduate with a background in computer science. He covers consumer technology and other products with a focus on value-for-money recommendations for Indian buyers.
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