Tata Punch EV will get some features and tech from the Nexon EV.
Tata Motors will launch the Punch EV in India on December 21, 2023. The Punch EV will sit above the Tigor EV, but below the Nexon EV in its electric vehicle line-up. Sources tell us that the launch of the Punch EV was earlier planned for October, but was postponed as the brand wanted to clear pending orders of the popular Tiago EV before introducing a new model.
- Punch EV deliveries to start from January 2024
- Will get Nexon EV-like illuminated steering wheel
- Higher variants to come with 10.25-inch infotainment screen
Tata Punch EV: positioning and rivals
The Punch EV will be squarely aimed at the Citroen eC3 in our market. It will be positioned below the Nexon EV MR (the lower-spec and lower range variant), but above the Tigor EV sedan. Sources tell us that it will be positioned as an SUV-alternative to Tata’s all-electric sedan, which now sees a major chunk of its sales in X-Press T fleet form.
Tata Punch EV: what else is known?
The Punch EV will feature Tata’s Ziptron powertrain, and is likely to be the first Tata EV to come with a charging socket mounted up front on the bumper. There are talks of the Punch EV getting four-wheel disc brakes, a different alloy wheel design, and typical EV-specific styling updates to mark it out from its petrol counterpart.
On the inside, there will be some cosmetic tweaks as well – along with the new two-spoke steering wheel that saw its debut on the Nexon facelift, higher variants will also get LED headlights, a new 10.25-inch touchscreen and an electronic parking brake, according to sources.
Multiple variants are expected just like the Nexon EV range, and similar variant names are expected as well. The Punch EV range will start with the Empowered variant, and top out with the Creative trim, according to sources.
Tata Punch EV powertrain details
The Punch EV will be based on the ALFA platform with Tata’s Gen 2 EV architecture, which essentially is an ICE to EV conversion with major modifications. It will come with a liquid-cooled battery and a permanent magnet synchronous motor powering the front wheels. Like in the case of the Tigor, Tiago, and Nexon EVs, Tata Motors could offer the Punch EV with two different battery sizes and charging options.
Tata Punch EV price estimates
When the Tata Punch EV arrives, it will compete with the Citroen eC3 (Rs 9.99-12.76 lakh). As Tata Motors wants to position the Punch EV as an SUV-alternative to the Tigor EV (Rs 12.49-13.75 lakh), expect its price points to be in a similar region. Expect more details on the Punch EV to be revealed as the launch nears.
Also see:
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EVs to be 50 percent of total Tata Motors’ sales by 2030: Shailesh Chandra
Entry-level EVs to close price gap with ICE variants in 18 months, says Tata Motors