We have been discussing tech aspects of EVs since ages. But, after speaking to many readers, we realised that we cater to some of the earliest adopters of disruptive tech like EVs. Hence, the decision to launch a section dedicated to EVs. As a curtain-raiser, here’s a special our senior editors put together—a first of its kind report on Electric Cars in India, priced below ₹3.5 million (35 lakhs).
|
SELECTION OF PARAMETERS
|
|
Which parameters will be important for techies when evaluating EVs, and which ones are important for all buyers of cars? These two questions enabled us to finalise the list of parameters reported for each car. If we missed anything, do let us know ([email protected])—so we can report the same in future issues.
|
4W EVs below 35 Lakhs
MG Comet EV
List Price: ₹ 7.98 to 10.63 lakh
Pros
• Ultra-compact size, light steering and small turning radius of 4.2m
• A well-built and inexpensive hatchback that doesn’t feel cheap
• MG is offering 250+ combinations of stickers, graphics, and designs to make your car unique
Cons
• Although the 165mm ground clearance is decent for this size, the motor and rear differential seem like they could use some underbody protection
• Zero boot space with all the seats up. You’ll have to fold the rear seats if you want to carry any luggage
• 2-door design means difficult rear seat access. Also, it is a 4-seater, not 5
• Doesn’t feel stable at high speeds and not recommended for highways
Battery Capacity: 17.3kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 230km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 175km | Fast Charge Support: No | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 120,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹2.5 to 3.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 41 | Torque (Nm): 110 | Safety Rating: NA
Tata Tiago EV
List Price: ₹ 8.69 to 12.04 lakh
Pros
• Good vehicle with good value for money
• Amazing 8-speaker Harman audio system
• Higher top speed than Citroen eC3, despite being in the same price band, which makes it safer for highway overtaking maneouvers
Cons
• Slightly lower ground clearance for a vehicle of this size: 165mm unladen
• Some users feel that the interiors look dated but fit
the price range
• Lacks underbody protection
Battery Capacity: 19.2 to 24kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 250km to 315km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 155km to 210km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 57 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: 4 to5.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 60 for medium range variant/74 for long range variant | Torque (Nm): 110 for medium range variant/114 for long range variant | Safety Rating: 4-star GNCAP
Citroen C3
List Price: ₹ 11.5 to 12.68 lakh
Pros
• Highway stability is good
• The lithium-ion battery pack has been integrated neatly into the wheelbase of the eC3, which gives it more trunk space and much better handling as well
• Has underbody protection all the way from the front to the back
• 170mm ground clearance is good, though it is 10mm lower than the C3
Cons
• Quality of cabin materials doesn’t feel great according to user reviews
• Cabin width makes the interiors suitable for 4 adults, not 5
• Currently has a small dealer network, so there might be limited options for after-sales support
• No push start options available and interiors do not suit the 12-lakh price range
Battery Capacity: 29.2kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 320km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 260km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 57 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 7 years or 140,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹ 5.5 to 6 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 56 | Torque (Nm): 143 | Safety Rating: NA
Tata Tigor EV
List Price: ₹12.49 to 13.75 lakh
Pros
• Amazing 8-speaker Harman audio system
• Higher top speed than Citroen eC3
Cons
• Most users seem to conclude that the Tiago 24kWh variant is better value for money
• Others are considering upgrading to the Nexon EV to get a superior car
• Lacks underbody protection
Battery Capacity: 26kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 315km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 180km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 59 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹5 to 6.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 74 | Torque (Nm): 170 | Safety Rating: 4-star GNCAP
Tata Nexon EV Prime
List Price: ₹14.49 to 17.19 lakh
Pros
• Well built car with great safety rating as this price point is driving a lot of interest
• Very good vehicle with good value for money
• Fun to drive due to the motor’s capability and vehicle build quality
• Very good sound system by Harman
• Great ground clearance of 205mm
Cons
• Some panel gaps and rough edges were reported by some users
• Some users are giving feedback that the stock tires aren’t enough for the motor’s power, resulting in some wheel spin. Can be solved with wider tires with better grip. The electronic cut-off for tire spin could also help.
• Adjustable headrest missing for rear passengers, which can be a safety issue (whiplash) in case the vehicle gets hit from the rear (rear-ending)
• Orange wrapped wires exposed under the body are concerning
Battery Capacity: 30.2kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 312km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 190km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 59 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹7.5 to 8.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 127 | Torque (Nm): 245 | Safety Rating: 5-star GNCAP
Mahindra XUV400
List Price: ₹15.99 to 19.19 lakh
Pros
• Good driving experience due to good pedal response and acceleration paired with very good tires
• Adjustable headrests for rear passengers
• Good bootspace of 378 litres
Cons
• Some units are part of a recall in August 2023, where vehicles were to be checked for “ineffective spring return action of the brake potentiometer”
• Bad speaker and sound quality complaints
• Dated interiors
Battery Capacity: 34.5 to 39.4kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 375km to 456km| Range Quoted By Dealers: 225km to 300km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 50 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000Km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹8.5 to ₹11.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 148 | Torque (Nm): 310 | Safety Rating: 5-star GNCAP
Tata Nexon EV Max
List Price: ₹16.49 to ₹19.54 lakh
Pros
• A long-range version of the Nexon EV Prime. Recommended if this will be your primary car
Cons
• Mostly same as Nexon EV Prime
Battery Capacity: 40.5kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 453km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 300km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 60 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹9.5 to ₹11 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 141 | Torque (Nm): 250 | Safety Rating: 5-star GNCAP
MG ZS EV
List Price: ₹ 23.38 to 28 lakh
Pros
• Good driving experience due to good pedal response and acceleration paired with very good (albeit highly inflated) tires
• Lots of good responses from users on overall interior and exterior design as well as space
• Full underbody protection
• Great choice as a premium EV if you’re not looking at value for money
Cons
• High tire pressure of 41psi means you will always feel vibrations, harshness, and irregularities from the road
• Despite price range, it still lacks wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, auto-dimming IRVM, and a better sound system (comes with a 6-speaker system)
Battery Capacity: 50.3kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 461km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 360km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 60 minutes)| Battery Warranty: 8 years or 150,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: 9 to 11.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 174 | Torque (Nm): 280 | Safety Rating: 5-star Euro NCAP
Hyundai Kona
List Price: ₹23.84 to ₹24.03 lakh
Pros
• Fun to drive with great acceleration
• Comes with underbody protection
• Good interior and exterior design, but not enough luggage space
Cons
• High tire pressure of 41psi means you will always feel vibrations, harshness, and i• Low ground clearance
• Interior lacks space, and the vehicle is much smaller than something like the ZS EV
• Not ideal for rear passengers due to ride quality and seating
Battery Capacity: 39.2kWh | Range Promised (ARAI): 452km | Range Quoted By Dealers: 360km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 47 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹12.5 to ₹14 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 134 | Torque (Nm): 395 | Safety Rating: 5-star Euro NCAP
BYD e6
List Price: ₹29.15 lakh
Pros
• • Long range
• Good for being chaffeured around
Good ride quality due to soft suspension setup
• Neat interiors
Cons
• High tire pressure of 41psi means you will always feel vibrations, harshness, and i• Not ideal as a driver’s car
• Could have offered a 7-seat configuration
Battery Capacity: 71.7kWh | Range Promised: 514km (WLTC) | Range Quoted By Dealers: 460km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (60kWh DC upto 80% in 35 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 500,000km | Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹14 to ₹15.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 94 | Torque (Nm): 180 | Safety Rating: NA
BYD Atto 3
List Price: ₹33.99 to 34.49 lakh
Pros
• Very comfortable suspension setup (as a result, it is not suited for high-speed driving)
• Interior design is not conservative. Some love it, others hate it. But it has a good level of ergonomics and quality
Cons
• Missing many features like wireless Android Auto/Carplay, ventilated seats, rain-sensing wipers, etc, which are expected at this price range
• Currently, there is a small dealer network, so there might be limited options for after-sales support
Battery Capacity: 60.48kWh | Range Promised: 521km (WLTC) | Range Quoted By Dealers: 430km | Fast Charge Support: Yes (50kWh DC upto 80% in 50 minutes) | Battery Warranty: 8 years or 160,000km |
Est. Battery Replacement Cost: ₹15.5 to ₹17.5 lakh | Extended Battery Warranty Option: No | Brake Horsepower (BHP): 201 | Torque (Nm): 310 | Safety Rating: 5-star Euro NCAP
