Power Wheels Magazine A Notch Above
Regular 91-octane gasoline prices now hover above P80 per liter. Premium fuels are priced higher. Traffic has become slow and unbearably heavy even for two-wheelers, especially with the coming holiday season. The Super El Niño global phenomenon has made weather unpredictable: It may be bright and sunny one minute and then dark and wet the next. Riding to work on your motorcycle or scooter is beginning to feel more like a burden and confinement instead of fun and freedom.
Motorcycling is not as fun and enjoyable with the spiraling fuel prices, heavy traffic, and unpredictable weather caused by the Super El Niño weather phenomenon.
But, as the saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining”, we actually found a positive aspect amidst today’s negative situation. Like the “silver lining” in that classic idiom, our positive aspect came in a silver-tone metallic finish (Coarse Grey), and in line with the current global trend of electrified mobility, it is electric. This is the 2026 Chetak 3503 – an electric scooter propelled by a brushless direct current (BLDC) electric motor that get its juice from a 2.89 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery.
Our 2026 Chetak 3503 electric scooter test ride unit came in a shiny silver-tone metallic finish called Coarse Grey.
Named After a Battle Horse
In traditional Indian literature, Chetak is the name of the horse ridden by Maharana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati in the Aravalli Mountains of Rajasthan, Western India in June 1576. Like the warhorse, the Chetak 3503 is ready to go into battle – against spiraling fuel prices, against pollution, against traffic snarls, and against mediocrity. After all, this electric scooter is the real deal with the riding range of more than 108 kilometers on a single full charge.
Chetak is the warhorse ridden by Maharana Pratap at the Battle of Haldighati in June 1576.
Unlike the warhorse, the Chetak 3503 is much easier to ride. The fully padded saddle seat is comfortable and less than three feet (775 mm) high. The hydraulic dampers of the front single-sided leading link and rear offset monoshock suspension system absorbs most road undulations better than the bouncy up-and-down ride of a thoroughbred warhorse. The Chetak’s svelte dimensions are easier to fit through traffic gaps and narrow streets than a real horse and, with 4.2-kilowatt (6 hp), it has more power and torque than the 1-horsepower warhorse. We jest, of course…
The modern Chetak 3503 is ready to do battle against high fuel costs, debilitating traffic, and mediocre riding experience.
Italian Design, Indian Heritage
The design of the Chetak 3503 reminds us of comedian Russel Peters’ story about his trip to Italy. Russel, who is a Canadian of Indian descent, was mistaken for Italian by the locals who tried to speak to him in their native language. When he answered that he’s originally from India, the locals protested loudly, “Indiano?! No! Non sei Italiano? Dici sul serio? Indiano?! No… (Indian?! No! You are not Italian? Are you serious? Indian?! No…)”
The Chetak 3503 reminds us of one of stand-up comic Russel Peter’s early skits.
And that’s what we felt when we first saw this electric scooter. Indiano? No! Italiano? Sì, decisamente! (Indian? No! Italian? Yes, most definitely!) Despite being named after a warhorse from Indian literature and being actually made in India by Bajaj Auto, the Chetak looks more like a modern Italian scooter – an electrified, modernized and swoopy Vespa Primavera 150, to be exact. Please note that Bajaj made Vespa scooters in India under license from Piaggio from the 1960s until 1971 and under their own brand afterwards, thus they have decades of experience. Why change a proven formula?
The Chetak 3503 electric scooter (right side) has similar design cues as the Vespa Primavera 150 (left side).
Metal Body, CG, and Balance
Similar to the Primavera, the IP67-rated body of the Chetak 3503 is made of steel. The heavy metal body, the placement of the battery, control system, and permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) give this electric scooter a low center of gravity (cg). Combined with a 53-inch wheelbase, 12-inch alloy wheels, 90/90-12 front tire, and 90/100-12 rear tire, this low center of gravity provides the Chetak 3503 with remarkable balance and traction, effortless control, and easy maneuverability.
Unlike many plastic-bodied electric scooters on the market, the Chetak 3503 utilizes a heavy-duty steel and metal panel construction that is IP67-rated.
There are 2 cubby holes at the front panel to store riding gloves and other small items. Controls and switches are ergonomically placed. The left and right turn signal switches are separately mounted for ease of operation.
With 20 Newton-meters (14.75 ft-lbs) of torque carrying a 125-kilogram curb weight plus the rider’s weight, a full tank of fuel, and whatever is inside the 35-liter (1 cubic foot) underseat storage compartment, the acceleration of Chetak 3503 is not as manic as expected of an electric vehicle but definitely a lot quicker than an equivalent 150cc gasoline-powered one. To maximize range, top speed is limited to 50 km/h in ECO (economy) mode. In SPORT mode, we were able to wring out 74 km/h against a factory-claimed terminal velocity of 68 km/h.
The storage bin under the saddle can hold 35 dry liters or 1 cu. ft. of our stuff. There was still room on top of our open-face LS2 helmet…
… so we stored our half-face HJC helmet in the underseat bin while we went walking around.
Say Goodbye to Gas Stations
Using the Indian Driving Cycle (IDC), the factory claims that riding the Chetak 3503 in ECO mode and with conscientious throttle modulation can yield an energy consumption of 2.32 kWh per 100 kilometers (0.232 kWh/km) and possibly extend the range from 108 km to 151 km with smart regenerative braking and careful trip planning. Occasionally shifting to SPORT mode and riding through heavy Metro Manila traffic yielded an energy consumption of 3.41 kWh/km (0.341 kWh/km) during our test rides.
To maximize the range, we rode around metropolitan traffic in ECO (Economy Mode) as indicated by the green “E” above yellow “D” (Drive) on the left side of the color LCD instrument panel.
The color LCD display is highly legible during daytime or night time riding. Depending on the rider’s height and preferred riding position, the glass sometimes catches the sun’s glare in some angles.
Using the supplied 750-watt portable charger plugged into an AC outlet, it took us less than 2 hours to charge the battery from 59% to 99%. Bajaj claims the charging the battery from 0% to 80% will take around 3 ½ hours while charging it from 0% to 100% will take 5 hours and consume around 3.89 kWh of electricity. That’s an operating cost of around 50 centavos per kilometer, which is far more economical than any gasoline powered scooter. We recommend charging the battery overnight at home or while parked at the office just to replenish the charge.
We calculated the operating cost at around 50 centavos per kilometer, which is the most economical we’ve ever experienced on any scooter.
Harnessing Modern Technology…
The Chetak 3503 harnesses modern technology to improve safety, efficiency and convenience. During deceleration or when the brakes are applied, the electric motor acts a generator, using reclaimed kinetic energy to charge the battery. This regenerative braking system provides smooth deceleration while extending riding range and minimizing wear on the drum brake shoes. The wheels and tires were likewise optimized to maximize energy efficiency and reduce rolling mass to conserve battery power.
The Chetak 3503’s electric motor acts as a generator under deceleration or braking. The saddle is long, wide and comfortable enough for a rider and a pillion passenger.
Aside from regenerative braking, the powertrain’s electronics also provides a Hill Hold Assist (HHA) feature, which we appreciate when rolling to a stop on a sharply-inclined road. HHA holds the electric scooter in place and prevents it from rolling backward when we release the brakes. We also appreciate the “Angel Eye” LED headlight and its “Guide Me Home” feature that keeps the lights on a few seconds after you alight from the scooter, which is useful if you park in a dark area.
Angel Eye LED headlight has a “Guide Me Home” feature that keeps the lights on a few seconds after shutting the electric scooter off, to light your way in dark areas.
And So Much More!
The color LCD instrument panel displays the vital information such as the SPEED (in km/h), the RANGE (in km), the battery’s state of charge or SOC (in % and with a colored bar chart), the time, the ride mode selected (ECO or SPORT), and the gear selected (N-neutral, D-drive, or R-reverse). Yes, you read that right: The Chetak 3503 has a reverse gear to help pull it backwards when parked facing downwards or when the front wheel is caught in an angled culvert. Also, a warning goes on when the side stand is still down, which will not allow Drive or Reverse to be selected.
“N” (Neutral) and “E” (Eco) are the default settings everytime you turn on the ignition key of the Chetak 3503. The color LCD intrument panel displays the vital information needed for a safe, efficient and worry-free ride.
At just125 kilos, the Chetak 3503 is not heavy and can be easily pushed backwards, when needed. However, it comes with “R” (Reverse), which can come in handy in situations where backing up manually may be difficult.
There’s a Music Control function that we were not able to test since we did not synch our mobile phone’s Bluetooth with the Chetak 3503 but we’re certain that it was installed to further promote riding safety and traffic awareness. With a suggested retail price of P130,888, we think that the Chetak 3503 electric scooter offers efficiency, practicality and safety in one stylish package. And with a standard warranty of 3 years or 50,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) that covers the vehicle and its main lithium-ion battery, we think that it’s the ideal city commuter for these trying times.
We would like to acquire a 2026 Chetak 3503 electric scooter and subject it to our series of Long Term tests to see how it holds up to a year of everyday use and regular charging cycles.
Chetak 3503 electric scooters are officially distributed in the Philippines by Trimotors Technology Corporation. For more information, drop by the Chetak Flagship Showroom at the Ground Floor of One Griffinstone Building, in Filinvest Alabang, Muntinlupa City or log in to the Chetak Philippines website (https://www.chetak.com/en-ph).
