The Bajaj Chetak C2501 is the most affordable electric scooter in the Bajaj Chetak lineup. It goes up against the TVS Orbiter, another affordable entry-level electric scooter. Here, we are comparing the two to see which one of them offers a better package:

The Looks

Both scooters take very different approaches to the looks. The Bajaj Chetak C2501 has a retro-inspired design and styling, similar to what we have seen on other Chetak models. But Bajaj has managed to give the scooter a few unique design changes that make it stand out a bit.

The changes include a diamond-shaped headlight and repositioning the turn-indicators to the headlight cowl, as opposed to the apron on other Chetak models.

The TVS, on the other hand, has taken a modern approach with the Orbiter. The scooter has a boxy design, in line with what we usually expect from family-oriented scooters. But it is not a boring design by any means. The scooter looks quite nice, and the modern look would make it appealing to younger riders, in fact.

The Performance

Powering the Bajaj Chetak C2501 is a 2.2kW hub-mounted motor, with a top speed of 55kmph. It is paired with a 2.5kWh battery pack, boasting a claimed range of 113km.

The TVS Orbiter features a 2.5kW motor with a claimed top speed of 68kmph. It also has a larger 3.1kWh battery pack, with a claimed range of 158km. On paper, the TVS Orbiter has a clear advantage.

Underpinnings

Both scooters feature a telescopic fork and twin rear shock absorber setup. But the Orbiter rolls on a 14-inch front and 12-inch rear alloy wheel setup, which should help in dealing with bumps and potholes better.

But where the Bajaj Chetak shines is in its braking setup. The Orbiter, for perspective, has drum brakes at both ends, whereas the Chetak C2501 gets a disc brake at the front. This should elevate the braking performance and inspire more confidence.

Features

The Bajaj Chetak C2501 gets a simple round colour LCD console, whereas the Orbiter has a rectangular one, both displaying all essential readouts. The Orbiter’s console gets call/SMS alerts, turn-by-turn navigation, and OTA (over-the-air) updates as standard. With the Chetak, you’ll be paying Rs. 3,000 for the TecPac for connected features.

In terms of storage space, the Orbiter has a 34-litre underseat storage, while the Chetak C2501 has a 25-litre one. On paper, the Orbiter has a larger storage capacity, but in the real world, many might find the Chetak’s underseat storage to be more practical. This is because it has the depth needed to fit in a full-face helmet.

Lastly, the Orbiter also gets a cruise control system, which makes it easier to handle the occasional highway runs. The performance isn’t that great and keeping up with highway traffic won’t be easy, but at least it will help in reducing fatigue.

Price

The Bajaj Chetak C2501 is priced at Rs. 91,399, whereas the TVS Orbiter is priced at Rs. 1,06,251, both ex-showroom, Bengaluru. The difference between the two is Rs. 14,852, but the differences in features and performance are not that great.

The Bajaj Chetak C2501 makes more sense for riders who are looking for a simple, no-nonsense electric scooter that can handle city commutes and grocery runs. The TVS Orbiter has slightly better performance and more features. It will be more suited to riders who are looking for more features and want the ability to do an occasional highway run or two.