Electric cars, SUVs currently on sale in India in 2021

Electric cars and SUVs do not contribute all that much to total passenger car sales in India, but they have made inroads. At the moment, a lack of public charging infrastructure and a higher price tag (despite government subsidies) has hampered the adoption of EVs. However, buyers now have more than a few options.

The Mahindra eVerito was the first EV to arrive on the scene in June 2016, and now, over five years later, there are as many as eight all-electric cars on sale, ranging from mass market sedans and SUVs to premium luxury SUVs. Here’s a quick look at every electric car and SUV you can buy in the country, today.

Tata Tigor EV

The recently updated Tigor EV is the newest entrant in the mass market EV segment. Compared to its predecessor, the 2021 Tigor EV shares its look with the ICE-powered Tigor facelift and gets a completely new powertrain with Tata’s Ziptron EV technology. It has an ARAI-rated driving range of 306km and is one of the most affordable modern mass market EV currently on sale in India. The Tigor EV shares most of its equipment and styling with the ICE-powered Tigor, although it stands out thanks to its electric blue highlights. It is priced between Rs 11.99-13.14 lakh.

Tata Tigor EV fact file
Battery capacity	26kWh
Power	75hp
Torque	170Nm
Range (ARAI)	306km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	8 hours 45 mins/60min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)	Rs 11.99-13.14 lakh
Autocar India rating	7/10

Mahindra eVerito

 

The Mahindra eVerito – the all-electric version of the now-discontinued Verito sedan – has been on sale for more than five years. 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. The eVerito is currently priced from Rs 9.12-9.46 lakh, post subsidies. (ex-showroom, Delhi). 

Mahindra eVerito fact file
Battery capacity	18.55kWh
Power	42hp
Torque	91Nm
Range (ARAI)	140km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	11.5 hours/90min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, Delhi)	Rs 9.12-9.46 lakh (post subsidy)
Autocar India rating	5/10

Tata Nexon EV

 

The Tata Nexon EV was the first truly affordable modern EV in India. It has modern tech, like a connectivity suite, number of goodies, such as a sunroof, and is pretty zippy too. Expect the 30.2kWh battery to last 180-220km in the real world, depending on driving style and conditions. Our review of the electric Tata compact SUV showed it is quick off-the-line, effortless and decently fun-to-drive. The Tata Nexon EV has proven to be quite popular with buyers thus far. The SUV is currently the bestselling electric passenger vehicle in India and was even updated with a Dark Edition version recently. The Nexon EV is currently priced between Rs 13.99-16.85 lakh. 

Tata Nexon EV fact file
Battery capacity	30.2kWh
Power	129hp
Torque	245Nm
Range (ARAI)	312km
Charging time (AC 10-90%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	8.5 hours/60min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 13.99-16.85 lakh
Autocar India rating	8/10

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. Hyundai was also the first mainstream carmaker to bring an EV to India. We found out in our Kona Electric road test that it was a peppy performer, a typically well-kitted Hyundai, and had a decent range of around 250-300km on a single charge. However, its interiors are bland and aren’t that spacious either. The Kona Electric facelift for international markets was revealed in November last year though there’s no word on when it’ll be brought to India. Available in a single trim with dual-tone colour options, prices for the Kona electric range between Rs 23.79-23.97 lakh.

Hyundai Kona Electric fact file
Battery capacity	39.2kWh
Power	136hp
Torque	395Nm
Range (ARAI)	452km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	19 hours/Under 60min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 23.79-23.97 lakh
Autocar India rating	7/10

MG ZS EV

 

The 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. Earlier this year, MG rolled out an update on the ZS EV that increased its ARAI range from 340km to 419km and ground clearance by 16mm. MG ZS EV prices also undercut Hyundai’s EV by a small margin, as the entry-level ZS EV is priced from Rs 20.99 lakh, going up to Rs 24.58 lakh for the top-spec model. Autocar India has the honour of setting the record for the maximum distance travelled in an EV on a single charge in India; a 563km-long run in the ZS EV.

MG ZS EV fact file
Battery capacity	44.5kWh
Power	143hp
Torque	353Nm
Range (ARAI)	419km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	16-18 hours/50min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 20.99-24.58 lakh
Autocar India rating	8/10

Mercedes-Benz EQC

 

Moving on to the premium end of the market, 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 albeit not as feature-rich as you would expect from a car costing as much as the larger GLS at Rs 1.06 core. The low ground clearance is also an issue, which is something we found out in our EQC India review.

Mercedes-Benz EQC fact file
Battery capacity	80kWh
Power	408hp
Torque	760Nm
Range (WLTP)	370-414 km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 10-80%)	21 hours/About 40min (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 1.06 crore
Autocar India rating	8/10

Jaguar I-Pace

 

 

Jaguar’s answer to the Mercedes EQC is typical in many ways – it’s stunning to look at, feels special inside and is a hoot to drive. In fact, the I-Pace distinguishes itself in the way it drives. It’s entertaining in a way you wouldn’t expect an EV to be. The I-Pace is easy to live with too, given that in our road test, the EV yielded an estimated range of 350-360km on a full charge, which is impressive as EVs go. The Jaguar I-Pace has gone on sale in three trim levels – S, SE and HSE – and is priced from Rs 1.06-1.12 crore.

Jaguar I-Pace fact file
Battery capacity	90kWh
Power	400hp
Torque	696Nm
Range (WLTP)	470km
Charging time (AC 0-100%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	12.9 hours/Under 2 hours (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 1.06-1.12 crore
Autocar India rating	8/10

Audi e-tron SUV and Sportback

Last on this list, and the newest in the luxury EV space are the Audi e-tron twins. With the e-tron, buyers have the option of choosing between a standard SUV or a sexier Sportback body style. A real-world city range of about 350km makes it more than capable of the routine urban grind, and performance is as smooth and strong as it gets. In typical Audi fashion, the e-tron is very generously equipped and the fit and finish levels are top notch. Priced from Rs 99.99 lakh, the range starts with the e-tron 50 Quattro SUV, while both the SUV and Sportback are also offered in a higher-spec 55 Quattro guise. The price tops out at Rs 1.18 crore.

Audi e-tron/e-tron Sportback fact file
	e-tron SUV (50 Quattro/55 Quattro)	e-tron Sportback 55 Quattro
Battery Capacity	71kWh/91kWh	91kWh
Power	313hp/408hp	408hp
Torque	540Nm/664Nm	664Nm
Range (WLTP)	379km/484km	484km
Charging time (AC 0-80%/DC fast charging 0-80%)	8.5 hours/30 mins (55 Quattro) (claimed)	8.5 hours/30 mins (claimed)
Price (ex-showroom, India)	Rs 99.99 lakh - Rs 1.16 crore	Rs 1.18 crore
Autocar India rating	8/10	9/10

all prices ex-showroom and without any government subsidy.

Also see:

India's state EV policies: how do they compare?

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