With the auto industry transitioning to electric mobility, people are being encouraged to switch to cleaner modes of transportation. The focus area for the masses is the entry-level segment where the majority of early adopters are looking to transition. There are quite a few options available in this entry-level EV space for the Indian market.
With the launch of Tata Punch EV tomorrow (17 January 2023), let’s quickly recap the most affordable electric cars presently on sale in India.
MG Comet EV: Rs 7.98 lakh – Rs 9.98 lakh
MG Motor launched the compact three-door Comet last year. It is the second EV in the company’s portfolio after the ZS EV. The micro electric hatch is powered by a 17.3 kWh battery with an output of 42 bhp and 110 Nm of torque. According to ARAI, Comet offers a range of 230 km on a single full charge. With a 3.3 kW charger, it juices up from 0 to 100 percent in seven hours and 0 to 80 per cent in 5.5 hours.
Tata Tiago EV: Rs 8.69 lakh — Rs 12.04 lakh
Tata Tiago is available in two battery pack options — 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh. The entry-level Tiago has an output of 60.3 bhp and 110 Nm while the top model has 74 bhp and 114 Nm of torque. As per MIDC Cycle, the 19.2 kWh version offers a range of 250 km and the 24 kWh trim returns 350 km.
With 15A plug-in and AC home wall charger, the former Tiago EV trim charges from 10 to 100 percent in 6.9 hours while the latter in 8.7 hours. With a 7.2 kW charger, the 19.2 kWh EV juices up from 10 – 100 per cent in 2.6 hours and the 24kWh Tiago in 3.6 hours. In case of the DC fast charger, from 10-80 per cent, both the EVs are charged up in 58 minutes.
Citroen eC3: Rs 11.61 lakh – Rs 12.49 lakh
Citroen launched its first electric car in India in the form of eC3 last year. The crossover hatch is powered by a 29.2 kW battery with 76 bhp and 143 Nm of torque. The French carmaker claims that eC3 can clock a top speed of 107 kmph and does a 0-60 kmph sprint in 6.8 seconds. With a 15amp plug point, eC3 charges 10-100 per cent in 10 hours 30 minutes and does 10–80 per cent from the DC fast charger in 57 minutes. According to MIDC Cycle, eC3 offers a range of 320km.
Tata Tigor EV: Rs 12.49 lakh — Rs 13.75 lakh
Tigor EV is the most pocket friendly EV sedan in the market. The EV is powered by a motor producing 74 bhp and 170 Nm of torque. According to Tata Motors, it does 0–60 kmph in 5.7 seconds and based on ARAI, the EV sedan returns a range of 315 km. To fully charge the 26kWh battery on board from 10 to 100 percent with a 15 A plug and an AC home wall charger, it takes 9.4 hours. With a DC fast charger, it chargers from 10 to 80 per cent in 59 minutes.
Tata Nexon EV: Rs 14.74 lakh — Rs 19.94 lakh
Like Tiago EV, the Nexon EV is available in both medium range (MR) and long range (LR) battery options. The MR is powered by a 30kWh battery pack with 123 bhp and 215 Nm. It does 0 to 100 kmph in 9.2 seconds and has a range of 325 km as per MIDC Cycle. The LR gets a bigger 40.5kWh battery with an output of 143 bhp and 215 Nm. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.9 seconds and offers a range of 465 km as per MIDC Cycle.
The MR version charges 10 to 100 percent from a 15A plug point in 10.5 hours and 4.3 hours with a 7.2kW AC charger. The charging time reduces to 56 minutes for both the MR and LR with a 50kW DC fast charger. The LR trim, on the other hand, charges 10 to 100 percent from a 15A plug point in 15 hours and 6 hours with a 7.2kW AC charger.
Mahindra XUV400 Pro: Rs 15.49 lakh — Rs 17.49 lakh
Mahindra launched the facelifted XUV400, rebranded as XUV400 Pro, last week at a starting price of Rs 15.49 lakh, and offers a lot more features than the outgoing model. Like Nexon EV, the XUV400 gets two battery options– 34.5 kWh and 39.4 kWh battery, offering a respective peak range of 375 km and 456 km (both ARAI rated).
Powering the XUV400 is an electric motor that churns out 148 bhp and 310 Nm of torque. As for performance, the compact electric SUV can clock a top speed of 150 kmph and can sprint to 100 kmph in a standstill in just 8.3 seconds.
