Bajaj Auto targets FY28 international electric motorcycle launch, lifts Chetak capacity
Bajaj Auto plans to launch its electric motorcycle in international markets before India in FY28. It is raising Chetak’s monthly production capacity from 50,000 to 60,000 units within two months, expanding electric three-wheeler capacity by 50% and increasing overall manufacturing capacity by 20% this fiscal year.
What happened
Bajaj Auto will launch an electric motorcycle in international markets in FY28 before India. It is expanding Chetak output to 60,000 units monthly, raising
Key facts
- Electric motorcycle launch targeted for FY28
- More than 1.5 lakh electric vehicles delivered during the quarter
- Chetak monthly production capacity rising from 50,000 to 60,000 units within two months
- Electric three-wheeler production capacity planned to expand by 50%
- Overall manufacturing capacity to increase by 20% this financial year
- 10% capacity increase planned in three to four months, followed by another 10% by fiscal year-end
- Electric business achieved double-digit EBITDA margins
- Q1 profit rose 42% year-on-year; revenue increased 37% to Rs 17,244 crore
Why this matters
The international-first electric motorcycle strategy creates potential partnership and distribution opportunities in export markets, especially where Bajaj can leverage existing channel infrastructure.
What to watch
- Monthly Chetak registrations, retail sales and dealer inventory days after capacity rises to 60,000 units.
- Utilization rates at Chetak and electric three-wheeler plants versus stated capacity.
- Chetak market-share movement relative to TVS iQube, Ather, Ola and Hero Vida.
- Electric two-wheeler pricing, financing offers and discount intensity across major metros.
- Battery-cell costs, supplier agreements and any localization or supply-chain announcements.
- Government EV incentive, tax, registration and charging-policy changes in India and target export markets.
- Disclosure of electric motorcycle prototype, launch market, homologation timeline, pricing and distribution partners.
- EV segment gross-margin commentary and capital-expenditure guidance in Bajaj Auto results.
- Add or upgrade Chetak dealerships, especially in high-EV-penetration urban clusters and Tier-2 cities.
- Increase battery, motor, controller and cell-sourcing commitments to support the 20% overall capacity increase.
- Expand financing, exchange and service packages to improve Chetak conversion and retention at retail.
- Use the electric three-wheeler capacity increase to target fleet, last-mile delivery and institutional buyers.
- Select initial overseas electric-motorcycle markets, establish homologation plans and secure distributor/service readiness before FY28.
- Defend pricing architecture by differentiating on quality, range confidence, service coverage and resale value rather than relying solely on discounts.