Many electric cars launched in India this year show a clear trend – all automotive companies are moving towards electrification. This means we are only going to see more of these battery-powered four-wheelers, across price segments. For now, the electric cars on offer are countable and mostly expensive in comparison with their petrol or diesel variants. Though what they promise in return is a clean commute, significantly lower running cost, and the first-mover advantage to buyers in the form of incentives.
With the benefits clear, electric car sales are growing steadily in India. Homegrown firms like Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric are the frontrunners in this switch to EVs. Tata already has multiple passenger EVs on offer, while Mahindra focuses on the commercial segment. Here, we shall focus on the latest electric cars in India, their built and capabilities, as well as their price. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
List of new Electric Cars Launched in India
- Kia EV6 – June 2022
- Tata Nexon EV Max – May 2022
- BMW i4 – May 2022
- MG ZS EV Facelift – March 2022
- Mini Cooper SE – February 2022
- BMW iX – December 2021
- Porsche Taycan – November 2021
- Audi e-Tron GT – September 2021
We have compiled the important specifications of these electric cars here. Alongside, we have listed their prices in India, as well as their Pros and Cons based on the experiences of our fellow automobile journalists at Autocar India, Topgear, Motortrend and other reputed publications.
1. Kia EV6
Kia is the latest firm to enter the electric car market in India with its rather swanky offering named the Kia EV6. The car exudes “premium” in every aspect – a bulging hood, a long-running LED across the back and a feature-loaded interior. The luxury crossover is also packed with performance, promising some top numbers among the EV lot. All this, with a high price tag attached to it.
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the Kia EV6 comes in a couple of variants in India. While the base model is a rear-wheel-drive that uses a single motor, a step-up model is an all-wheel-drive with dual motors.
Kia EV6 Specifications
Power: 325hp
Torque: 605Nm
Battery: 77.4kWh
Range: 528km
Charging: <350kW DC fast charge
Price in India
Rs 59.95 lakh to Rs 64.95 lakh
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Long-range | High price |
| Great performance | Limited rear-seat area |
| Amazing looks |
2. Tata Nexon EV Max
The latest EV from the house of Tata Motors, the Nexon EV Max is the big brother of the Nexon EV. The difference – “Max” accounts for a bigger battery and hence, a longer range. The battery also adds about 100kg of weight to the car as compared to the Nexon EV, slightly lowering its ground clearance. Other than this, there are no physical changes between the Nexon EV and the Nexon EV Max. There is a performance boost on the Nexon EV Max though, with the all-electric SUV now able to go from 0 to 100 kmph in under 9 seconds.
Tata Nexon EV Max Specifications
Power: 143hp
Torque: 250Nm
Battery: 40.5kWh
Range: 437km
Charging: <50kW DC fast charge
Price in India
Rs 17.74 lakh-19.24 lakh
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Ample range | Range much lower than advertised |
| Reasonable price | Same old design |
| New features in segment |
3. BMW i4
BMW’s latest electric car, the i4 is an all-electric sedan marking all that BMW stands for in the modern era. The signature horizontal kidney grille fronts an aerodynamic silhouette donned with premium features inside and out. Expect this with a performance of a top-end electric car and numbers that beat just about all the competition in the segment and beyond.
BMW i4 Specifications
Power: 340hp
Torque: 430Nm
Battery: 83.9kWh
Range: 590km
Charging: <205kW DC fast charge
Price in India
The price of the electric car is Rs 69.90 lakh.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Brilliant performance | Real world range drops quickly |
| Ample luxury features |
4. MG ZS EV Facelift
MG launched its ZS EV in India in a fresh look this March, with a rejuvenated look, more features and a slightly longer range. The new ZS EV comes with a modest price tag as compared to the luxury offerings on this list, and yet offers an impressive performance through its front-mounted electric drivetrain. An idea of its prowess can be gained from the fact that the new ZS EV can go from 0 to 100kmph in 8.5 seconds.
MG ZS EV 2022 Specifications
Power: 176hp
Torque: 280Nm
Battery: 50.3kWh
Range: 461km
Charging: <50kW DC fast charge
MG ZS EV 2022 Price in India
MG ZS EV 2022 starts retailing at Rs 21.99 lakh and goes up to Rs 25.88 lakh.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| A complete EV package | Expensive |
| Excellent performance | Misses on some premium features |
| Great safety rating |
5. Mini Cooper SE
The EV industry marks a new milestone with every electrified unit of a noted IC engine vehicle. The launch of Mini Cooper SE earlier this year was one such achievement. Mini Cooper’s first-ever electric offering, the Mini Cooper SE comes with all the bells and whistles of its ICE counterpart, along with a promise of running on clean fuel. The compact vehicle has gained a lot of attention ever since its debut and is going strong in promoting EVs as the new age of vehicles in India.
Mini Cooper SE Specifications
Power: 184hp
Torque: 270Nm
Battery: 32.6kWh
Range: 270km
Charging: <50kW DC fast charge
Price in India
About Rs 48 lakh.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Compact | Expensive |
| Zippy performance | Limited use |
| Retains the ICE fun |
6. BMW iX
BMW started its EV journey in India last year with the launch of the BMW iX in the country. Being a top-tier product of the firm, the iX comes with all the luxury one can expect in an expensive BMW make, packed in a high-performance electric vehicle. The electric SUV is powered by not one but two electric motors, in the only variant that is sold in India.
BMW iX Specifications
Power 326hp
Torque 630Nm
Battery 76.6kWh
Range 446km
Charging <50kW DC fast charge
Price in India
The price of BMW iX is Rs 1.16 crore.
Pros and Cons
Pros Cons
A whole new design Steering lacks feedback
Power-packed Not as sporty as it looks
Substantial range for its built
7. Porsche Taycan
The game-changer for the electric car market, Porsche Taycan was an early answer of an established automaker to Tesla’s top-end offerings. With the Taycan, Porsche showed what a luxury car can be like if its IC engine is replaced with an electric drivetrain. Topped with luxury features to the brim, the Taycan also delivers strongly on performance.
The Taycan Turbo S can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 761hp and 1,050Nm of peak torque, which makes it the most powerful EV on sale in India. The lower variants of the Taycan pack a 79.2kWh battery as standard, while the larger 93.4kWh battery pack is optional. The higher-spec Turbo and Turbo S variants are available solely with the 93.4kWh unit.
Porsche Taycan Specifications
Power: 482hp
Torque: 630Nm
Battery: 76.6kWh
Range: 446km
Charging: <50kW DC fast charge
Price in India
Rs 1.53 crore to Rs 2.34 crore
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Futuristic looks | One-pedal drive not so good |
| Marquee Porsche built | Clunky transmission |
| Most powerful EV in India |
8. Audi e-Tron GT
The electric cousin of the fast and furious Audi R8 and the Audi RS, the e-Tron GT is meant for high performance in an environment-friendly way. Interestingly, the top-end electric coupe is based on the same platform as the Porsche Taycan, and hence is not shy of boasting some jaw-dropping numbers while on the move. Example? It can go from 0 to 100kmph in just about seconds. The top speed reaches 250kmph, of course, limited electronically.
Audi e-Tron GT Specifications
Power: 637hp
Torque: 630Nm
Battery: 93kWh
Range: 500km
Charging: <270kW DC fast charge
Price in India
Rs 1.66 crore to Rs 1.89 crore
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Power-packed | Low suspension |
| Feature loaded | Expensive |
| Perfect for everyday use |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should you buy an electric car over a petrol or diesel one?
In one word – Absolutely. You will not only be saving the environment but a ton of money for yourself too. This, in the form of the much less operational cost associated with the running of EVs, as compared to petrol or diesel cars. With both the fossil fuels selling for about Rs 100 per litre, EVs have a clear advantage in a long-term run.
The other factor you should consider for these is your daily commute. If you are prone to travel very long distances often, you may want to be sure that your route is lined up with EV chargers. Though the range on most of the electric cars above is substantial, any drive greater than 150-200 km should be planned in advance.
Which is the best electric car to buy?
This is rather arbitrary and is totally based on what you want out of your vehicle. If you wish to have a budget EV for limited distances in a single go, you can go for the lower-range offerings on the list, like the Tata Nexon EV Max. In case your use requires high performance and long-range travel, you will likely have to splurge more on the costlier options.
What are the things you should consider before buying an electric car?
We have covered this in a detailed article which you can read by clicking here. Some pointers that I can share from the same here, include the range of the electric car you choose, its type {hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell}, its maintenance cost, warranty on parts and a lot more.
What are the average charging times on EVs?
While this varies from car to car, electric cars take over an hour to two hours to charge fully through the 50kW DC fast chargers at a charging station. The AC chargers at home will take over hours for the same. So, a common practice is to leave an electric car for charging overnight, or in the office while you work your shift.
Source: mysmartprice.com
