EV cars, SUVs in India you can buy in 2020-2021

Although electric car sales don’t contribute all that much to total passenger car sales in India, EVs have made in-roads. There is a lack of charging infrastructure, which hampers the quicker adoption of EVs, but buyers now have more than a few choices.

When the eVerito arrived on the scene in June 2016, the only other electric car available was the e2o. Four and a half years on, there are six all-electric cars on sale, and quite a few premium and mass market EVs will make their way to India in the near future. Here’s a quick look at all six electric cars you can buy in the country, today.

Tata Tigor EV

The first all-electric Tata, the Tigor EV, was only available for commercial buyers when it first launched in June 2019. Due to its small 16.2kWh battery and 142km ARAI-rating, the Tata Tigor EV didn’t really alleviate range anxiety associated with all-electric cars. Driving Tata’s electric sedan in traffic is no hassle but it runs out of steam above 50kph; our Tigor EV review showed it took 18.84sec to hit 80kph. In October 2019, Tata introduced an upgraded Tigor EV in three variants and with a larger, 21.5kWh battery pack, which gave it 213km of range on a single charge. The brand also opened order books for individual buyers.

Mahindra eVerito

The oldest EV still on sale in India today, the Mahindra eVerito is the all-electric version of the now-discontinued Verito sedan. Available in two variants – D2 and D6 – the eVerito has an 18.55kWh battery pack that has an ARAI-rated 140km of range; real-world range, which is usually lower than the ARAI figure, has been a complaint. The weak electric motor also means the eVerito is slow, and struggles to keep up with city traffic. Mahindra’s all-electric sedan is only suitable for short commutes and is expensive for what it is, though the practical, if aging, cabin is a plus point.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Motors’ second electric car is quite an upgrade from its first. The Tata Nexon EV has modern tech- like a connectivity suite and a number of goodies, such as a sunroof, and feels like the first electric car from the company that could serve as an alternative to a petrol car. Expect the 30.2kWh battery to last 180-220km in the real world; our review of the electric Tata compact SUV showed it is quick off the line, effortless and decently fun-to-drive too. Nexon EV prices start Rs 2.64 lakh higher than the top-spec Nexon XZA+ DT (O) petrol-automatic and end Rs 4.64 lakh higher, which is a significant premium. Just last week, Tata announced that Nexon EV sales had crossed the 2,000 unit milestone.

MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV is a direct rival to the Hyundai Kona Electric. It boasts of a longer real-world range from its 44.5kWh battery pack (as our comparison between the ZS EV and Kona Electric showcased), more cabin space and a long list of equipment; there are some features that are missing from a car in this class though. ZS EV prices also undercut Hyundai’s EV by a small margin. However, a standard 5-year warranty pack, helps the all-electric MG SUV’s case.

Hyundai Kona Electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric was introduced in July 2019 as a CKD to showcase the Korean brand’s technology in the EV arena. We found out in our Kona Electric road test that it was a peppy performer, a typically well-kitted Hyundai, and that it could go a decent distance on a single charge. However, its interiors are bland and aren’t all that spacious either. Earlier this year, Hyundai’s variable ‘Wonder Warranty’ pack was made available on the electric SUV. The Kona Electric facelift for international markets was revealed recently though there’s no word on when it’ll be brought to India.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Mercedes-Benz India’s first all-electric model, the EQC is meant to lure traditional luxury SUV buyers. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is refined, has a fun-to-drive aspect and can go about 350km on a single charge; buyers who opt to drive should not have any complaints. It’s luxurious too though it’s not as feature-rich as you’d expect from a car of this price; with an introductory price tag of at Rs 99.30 lakh, it costs as much as the larger GLS. The low ground clearance is also an issue, which is something we found out in our EQC India review. In the very near future, the EQC will see competition from the Audi e-tron and the Jaguar I-Pace, bookings for which have commenced last month.

Prices as on December 7, 2020

Also see:

6 new Mahindra SUVs to launch by end-2021

Bentley to switch to EV-only range by 2030

UK Government to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030

Tamil Nadu grants two-year road tax exemption to electric vehicles