As the world turns vulnerable to the global issues of pollution and scarcity of natural resources, we see the one sector that causes both of these issues then go green with the advent of electric vehicles. Electric vehicles? Avoiding pollution and the extinction of resources? So what happens when a car is an EV one? Of course, it would mean the car is a battery-operated one. And when the car is a battery-operated one, there wouldn’t be an engine and hence no combustion of gases, and ultimately no pollution! The problem of the extinction of resources and the problems of pollution are interrelated. In a country such as India, where the average AQI comes out to be 8.08µg/m³, from which 27% of pollution is attributed to vehicles, electric cars hold paramount significance in improving the AQI of the nation. In short, Electric cars are designed to kill two birds with one stone! So without further ado, let’s ‘drive’ right into the EV world of the Indian Automobile Industry!
Tata Nexon EV
When Nexon was launched in India in 2017, the automobile market in India was monopolized by this compact SUV with its sporty exterior and more so with the Tata Nexon EV’s modish black and white interior, launched in January 2022. The 5-seater EV comes with a 3-phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and one gear automatic transmission, and it gives 127 bhp and 245 Nm with the highest speed of 120 km/ph. Its Li-ion battery is equipped with a coolant, ensuring long battery life and safe, long drives for the drivers. The exterior of the car comes in three radiants- Nexon’s Signature Teal Blue, Moonlit Silver, and Glacier White, and an electric sunroof in the upper variant, while the interior is decked with a 7-inch infotainment system. The pickup speed for Tata Nexon EV is 9.14 seconds on 0-100 km/ph, while the car takes 8 hours to charge with a 220-volt charger. Tata Nexon EV starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 14.24 lakhs.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion polymer |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 30.2kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 312 km/ full charge |
| Recharge Time | Up to 80% in 60 mins. (depends on the charger) |
Tata Tigor EV
Tata’s popularity comes from its economically affordable options and how it strives to make the driving experience safe and a premium one. Considering how Tata was the first carmaker in India to comply with the BS6 engine compulsion imposed by the government, it’s no doubt that Tata has been ruling the EV car market because of the economic and high-performance EVs it has launched in the last two years. The 5-seater sedan, launched on 31st August 2021, comes with a 1-gear automatic transmission and gives 74 bhp and 170 Nm. The sedan body structure of the car gives it boot space worth 310 litres plus sport mode driving features and the ABS with EBD safety system. The exterior of the car comes in three radiants- Signature Teal Blue and Daytona Grey with a tri-arrowed front grille with blue highlights plus steel rim wheels. The pickup speed for Tata Tigor EV is 12.63 seconds on 0-100 km/ph, while the car takes 8.5 hours to charge with a 220-volt charger. Tata Tigor EV starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 11.99 lakhs.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 26kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 306 km/full charge |
| Recharge Time | 90 minutes to 6 hrs. (depends on the charger) |
Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai, the Korean carmaker, lands the Top 5 Automobile market list in India. Hyundai’s cars ensure luxury, elegant car exterior, feature-loaded interior with leather seats, 7” infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and more importantly, its engines comply with the BS6 engine compulsion imposed by the government. Hyundai Kona Electric, a 5-seater SUV with Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, comes with automatic transmission and gives 134 bhp and 395 Nm. The SUV structure of the car gives it boot space worth 332 litres, sport mode driving feature, Multi-link rear suspension, and electric sunroof in the upper variants. The exterior of the car comes with 17-inch alloy wheels and a unique front grille that majorly separates the car from other SUVs. The pickup speed for Hyundai Kona Electric is 9.7 seconds on 0-100 km/ph, while the car takes 6 hours to charge with a standard AC charger. Hyundai Kona Electric starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 23.79 lakhs.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion Polymer |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 39.2kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 452 km/full charge |
| Recharge Time | 57 mins to 6 hours (depends on the charger) |
Mg ZS EV
Probably one of the few British Automotives in India, Morris Garages or MG can be said to have reigned the market with its advanced-tech and smart-hybrid cars like MG Astor and MG Hector. The car certainly makes the driving experience a breeze. The all-new MG ZS EV launched in India in 2021 is one of the few EVs that enjoy a loyal customer base because of its posh interior that includes an updated iSmart system with Hindi voice commands for quite a few features, panoramic sunroof, an 8” infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and cruise control. MG ZS EV, a 5-seater SUV, comes with automatic transmission and gives 141 bhp and 353 Nm. The SUV includes some high-tech safety features like 3-level KERS, Torsion Beam rear suspension, and an electric sunroof in the upper variants. The exterior of the car comes with 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, 177 mm ground clearance, and LED DRLs. MG ZS EV pickup speed is 8.2 seconds on 0-100 km/ph, a top speed of 140 km/ph, while the car takes 8 hours to charge with a standard 220-volt charger. MG ZS EV starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 21 lakhs.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 44.5kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 419 km/full charge |
| Recharge Time | 50 mins to 8 hrs. (depends on the charger) |
Audi e-Tron GT
Of all the german automotive companies in India, Audi stands with the most loyal fanbase in its price range in the Indian market. Considered one of the luxury brands among others like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, etc. in India, Audi stands successful in the engine as well electric cars. Audi e-Tron GT stands proof of it. The EV was launched in India in 2021 and is one of the most preferred EVs because of its superior performance and body structure which comes in 9 colour variants. The 5-seater sedan EV comes with an automatic transmission and two electric motors and gives 523 bhp and 643 Nm with a maximum speed of 245 km/ph. Audi e-Tron GT pickup speed is 4.1 seconds on 0-100 km/ph, while the car takes 8 hours to charge with a standard 220-volt charger. The Audi e-Tron GT gets its branded cockpit with a sloping roofline, panoramic sunroof, a 12.3” infotainment system, and a 360-degree camera. The sedan includes some high-tech safety features like front and rear air suspension. The exterior of the car comes with 20-inch five-spoke diamond-cut alloy wheels, Audi’s signature single-frame grey grille, LED Headlamps and LED taillights. Audi e-Tron GT starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 1.80 crores.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 84kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 383 km/ full charge |
| Recharge Time | Up to 80% in 30 mins (depends on the charger) |
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
A german automotive company with a high brand value in India, Porsche commands nothing short of luxury, evenly befitting its high price range in the Indian market. Especially when entering the EV domain, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo gives tough competition to luxury brands like Audi, BMW, etc. The 5-seater EV with a sports car exterior, launched in India in November 2021, comes with two gear automatic transmission for higher speed and two electric motors placed on the front and rear axle and gives 490 bhp and 650 Nm with a top speed of 240 km/ph. This beauty is 4WD with a ground clearance of 146mm and has a pickup speed is 4.1 seconds on 0-100 km/ph. The EV is known to get charged to give up to 100 km of range in 5 mins with an 800-volt charger. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo comes with front and rear adaptive suspension, wireless charger, a 10.9” infotainment system, plus an additional 8.4” climate control touchscreen, boot space worth 530 litres, and a sunroof as standard. The exterior of the car comes with Porsche’s signature four-pointed DRLs, matrix LED headlights, and LED taillights, available in 9 colour variants. Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 1.70 crores.
| Battery Type | Lithium-ion |
|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 93.4kWh |
| Distance Per Charge | 452 km/full charge |
| Recharge Time | 5-80% in 25 mins (depends on the charger) |
What Can Be Expected In EV Trends In 2022?
As mentioned above, EVs have manifold impacts for the good of the environment in terms of global issues of pollution and extinction of fuel resources which are organic and, thus, exhaustible. According to the NITI Ayog reports of 2019, the EV market is expected to grow by 90% between 2021-2030. Factually, EV four-wheeler purchases are being subsidized to a maximum of Rs.1.5 lakhs by the government of India under the Faster Production and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (Fame ll) Programme. As can be seen, very few EVs are successfully being run on public roads in India. EV enthusiasts can expect more launches coming as variants of their favourite cars like Tata Tigor EV, Renault K-ZE (EV version of Kwid), Maruti WagonR Electric, and Mahindra XUV 300 EV, among a few other launches in the FY 2022. If you want to take a quick look at what the new EV launches of 2022 have to offer and when they are expected to launch (which, we are not going to lie, might be beneficial for you rather than purchasing the older models), then click here.
