Images of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, showed smoke coming from the scooter
Bajaj Auto has clarified reports of an incident involving a Chetak electric scooter in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad), Maharashtra, on December 5. Contrary to earlier claims that the vehicle caught fire, the company confirmed that the incident was limited to smoke emission from a plastic component, with no fire or thermal runaway.
Images of the incident, which circulated widely on social media, showed smoke coming from the scooter. However, Bajaj Auto stated in an official communication that the battery and motor of the vehicle were unaffected, and materials used in the battery pack ensured its safety. The company’s dealer partner promptly transported the vehicle to a service centre for a detailed inspection.
In its statement, Bajaj Auto reiterated its commitment to maintaining high-quality standards to prioritise customer safety. A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the smoke emission. The company emphasised that this was the first such incident involving the Chetak electric scooter, a model that has sold over 300,000 units to date.
Bajaj Auto also highlighted its extensive service network of over 3,800 centres and on-road service points across India. It urged customers to rely exclusively on authorised service centres to uphold safety and quality standards for their vehicles.
The company reassured stakeholders, stating, “The safety of customers and stakeholders has always been the absolute highest priority at Bajaj Auto.”
The incident comes ahead of the launch of the new Bajaj Chetak electric scooter, scheduled for December 20. The Chetak competes with other electric scooter models like the TVS iQube, Ola S1, and Ather Rizta.
This development underscores the increasing scrutiny and expectations around electric vehicles as manufacturers strive to meet growing demand while maintaining safety standards.
