EVs have been a hot topic for more than a decade now, with these vehicles becoming popular in several places around the globe. Although it took some time to reach out to the Indian audience, Indians are now adopting EVs faster than ever. This is quite evident with the long list of cars currently sold in India, and the even more extensive list of upcoming ones. The EV market in India for the year 2023 is such that one has a wide array of smart vehicles to choose from ranging from entry level hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and even sports or luxury cars.
Although these cars are sold at a much higher selling point, it is much lighter on your wallet over a long period of time and is a great investment for the foreseeable future. In India, Tata has gained traction in the EV space while other car makers are announcing and launching their own electric cars in India. Mahindra even went out teasing five electric SUVs, while MG Motors, Hyundai and Kia have announced their respective EVs in India. In this article, let us take a look at some of the most popular EVs sold in India by various top brands.
| Model | Range | Price (ex-showroom) |
| MG Comet EV | 230 km | Rs. 7.98 – 9.98 lakh |
| Tata Tiago EV | 315 km | Rs. 8.69 – 12.04 lakh |
| Tata Tigor EV | 306 km | Rs. 12.49 – 13.75 lakh |
| Mahindra XUV400 EV | 456 km | Rs. 15.99 – 19.39 lakh |
| Tata Nexon EV Max | 312 km | Rs. 16.49 – 19.54 lakh |
| MG ZS EV | 461 km | Rs. 23.38 – 28 lakh |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 452 km | Rs. 23.84 – 24.03 lakh |
| Mini Cooper SE | 180 km | Rs. 53.50 lakh |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | 418 km | Rs. 56.90 lakh |
| Kia EV6 | 708 km | Rs. 60.95 – 65.95 lakh |
MG Comet EV
The fun, little hatchback was launched in 2023 and it comes in three variants – Pace, Play and Plush. This is the second EV offering from the brand MG and it features LED light bars in the front and rear, 12-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, horizontally mounted turn indicators and an illuminated MG logo.
Propelling the MG Comet EV is a 17.3 kWh battery pack paired with a motor that churns 41 bhp and 110 Nm of torque. The car has a claimed range of 230 km on a single full charge. On the inside, it is equipped with two 10.25-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, dual airbags and a reverse parking camera. The quirky, little hatch starts at Rs. 7.98 lakh and goes all the way upto Rs. 10.63 lakh for the top-end version.
MG Comet EV Specifications:
- Engine: Single Electric Motor
- Battery Pack: 17.3 kWh
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: 230 km
- Airbags: up to 2
- Body Type: Hatchback
- Seating Capacity: 4
Tata Tiago EV
Tata wanted to launch an electric hatchback into the Indian market and did so by launching the Tiago EV in September 2022. It is the most affordable EV hatchback available currently in the market. The Tiago EV comes up in four variants – XE, XT, XZ+ and XZ+ Tech Lux. The Tiago EV’s fascia is highlighted by a blanked-off grille with the signature tri-arrow pattern to both ends. To distinguish it from the regular model, the Tiago EV is adorned with electric blue inserts and EV badge on the grille.
Even the interior features electric blue hues on the digital instrument cluster and air vents. In terms of features, it is equipped with Harman touchscreen infotainment, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, height adjustable driver seat and automatic climate control. The smart hatchback is a tad more expensive than its ICE counterpart and it ranges between Rs. 8.69 to Rs. 12.04 lakh.
Tata Tiago Specifications:
- Engine: Single Electric Motor
- Battery Pack: 19.2 kWh & 24 kWh
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: up to 315 km
- Airbags: 2
- Body Type: Hatchback
- Seating Capacity: 5
Tata Tigor EV
One of the most popular and affordable options in the list is the Tata Tigor EV. It is well-built, safe, has great range and a horde of upmarket features, hence making it a great overall package. It seats five passengers in ample space and even provides a 4-star GNCAP rating, thus making it one of the safest EV sedans in the country. It isn’t necessarily a head turner, but it has an interesting design with a coupe-like roofline.
In most respects, it is not much different from the standard Tigor. The electric motor produces a measly 41 hp which is unremarkable for a vehicle of its size. Performance is adequate to keep up with the flow of traffic, but the speed fizzles out after 50 kmph. The steering is light and the ride quality is decent. A respectable 306 km makes it a reasonable choice for urban usage, making it an ideal car to consider for daily commutes.
Tata Tigor EV Key Specs:
- Engine: Single Electric Motor
- Battery Pack: 26 kWh
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: 315 km on a single charge
- Airbags: 2(Standard)
- Body Type: Sedan
- Seating Capacity:5
Mahindra XUV400 EV
Mahindra launched its smart electric SUV in a move to dominate the sales in the EV department and is the first electric SUV from the brand following the likes of eVerito, e2o and e2o Plus. Mahindra offers the XUV400 in three variants – EC (3.3 kW), EC (7.2 kW) and EL (7.2 kW). The top spec variant gets features like a 7.0 inch touchscreen with AdrenoX software, a single pane sunroof, and connected car technology.
The electric SUV is based on the XUV300 and just like its ICE sibling, it sports a spacious cabin full of premium comfort, features and convenience. The safety kit includes six airbags, disc brakes on all four wheels, an IP67 rating for the battery pack and ISOFIX anchorage points. The claimed range of 456 km is 4 km more than the Hyundai Kona (452 km) and 5 km less than the MG ZS (461 km), while both cars are considerably priced higher than the XUV 400’s price.
Mahindra XUV 400 Specifications
- Engine: Single Electric motor
- Battery Pack: 34.5 kWh, 39.4 kWh
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: up to 456 km
- Airbags: 6
- Body Type: SUV
- Seating Capacity: 5
Tata Nexon EV Max
Next on the list, we have the Tigor’s bigger sibling – the refreshed Tata Nexon EV Max. To keep building on the success of the Nexon, Tata rolled out the more capable EV Max. The five seater SUV does come at a premium price, starting at Rs 16.49 lakh and going up to Rs 19.54 lakh.
Packed with a battery of 40.5 kWh as compared to the smaller 30.2 kWh in the standard Nexon EV, the Nexon EV Max not only has an extended range of 437 km but also is loaded with some premium features such as ventilated front seats, air purifier, wireless charging etc. It also comes with additional safety features which the standard Nexon EV missed out on such as ESP, traction control, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, electronic parking brake with auto hold function, tyre pressure monitoring system and rear disc brakes.
Tata Nexon EV Max Key Specs:
- Engine: Single Electric motor
- Battery Pack: 40.5 kWh
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: up to 453 km
- Airbags: up to 2
- Body Type: SUV
- Seating Capacity: 5
MG ZS EV
The SUV is now in its second generation and comes loaded with a horde of features to make it a more compelling choice for under the premium price of Rs. 30 lakh. The top end of the SUV is definitely on the pricier side. However, the ZS EV justifies it by providing a well appointed interior, plenty of equipment and good real world range of 461 km.
Buyers willing to let go of certain premium features can choose the lower priced Excite variant which gets the same battery packs and hence, the same range. The MG ZS EV is powered by a 50.3 kWh battery pack that produces 173 bhp and 280 Nm of torque. It is a strong contender if you are in the market for a city-friendly SUV that you can take out for occasional long range drives.
MG ZS EV Specification
- Engine: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
- Battery Pack: 50.3 kWh, with Type-2 Plus CCS charging connector
- Transmission: Automatic
- Range: 461 Km
- Airbags: 6
- Body Type: SUV
- Seating Capacity: 5
Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai is a very familiar name in the Indian household and that helped their sales when they launched the Kona electric, their first electric car for the Indian market. The stylish, premium SUV delivers a high-spirited performance for driving enthusiasts. One wouldn’t have any complaints in city riding or stop-go traffic thanks to its incredible driving range.
Driving the Kona through the city traffic is such a breeze. Taking off from standstill feels deliciously effortless and progress is so smooth, so jerk-free and silent that it feels like being in an hideously expensive limo. It comes with a 39.2 kWh battery paired with an electric motor that churns out 136 PS and 395 Nm. The Kona gets an ARAI-claimed range of 452 km and can sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 9.7 seconds. With a great cabin, build quality and an all-round feature package, the Kona Electric ticks a lot of boxes and it starts at Rs. 23.84 lakh.
Hyundai Kona Electric Specifications:
- Engine: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
- Battery Pack: 39.2kWh
- Transmission: Single-speed automatic
- Range: 452 km
- Airbags: 6 airbags standard
- Body Type: SUV
- Seating capacity: 5
Mini Cooper SE
The popular Mini brand landed in India with great expectations. Now, they have launched an electric version of the iconic Mini Cooper in 2022, the SE. It is powered by a 32.6 kWh battery pack which produces 181 bhp and 270 Nm of torque. This motor propels the car from 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 150 kmph.
The cabin is well built for four passengers and is loaded with gizmos such as a 5.5 inch coloured MID, an 8.8 inch touchscreen infotainment system, sport seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a Nappa leather steering wheel. The Mini Cooper SE comes in two variants at a price range of Rs. 52.50 lakh to Rs. 55.00 lakh.
Mini Cooper SE Specifications
- Engine: Single electric motor
- Battery Pack: 32.6 kWh
- Transmission: Single-speed automatic
- Range: 270 km
- Airbags: 4
- Body Type: Hatchback
- Seating Capacity: 4
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Now, we move on into the big boy territory with the Volvo XC40 Recharge. One of the most attractive attributes of this Swedish SUV is it’s one of the most affordable luxury SUVs available in the Indian market today. Propelling the SUV is a 78 kWh battery pack producing a maximum power output of 402 bhp and 660 Nm of torque. This motor, which sends power to all four wheels, is claimed to return a range of 418 kms on a single charge.
The interior includes features such as the 12-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera, electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, adaptive cruise control and touchscreen infotainment system. The compact electric SUV is a great all-rounder, has features seen in higher priced cars and has formidable safety, making it a great choice.
Volvo XC40 Recharge Specifications
- Engine: Dual motor
- Battery Pack: 78kWh
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic transmission (two motors: on each axle)
- Range: 418 km
- Airbags: Up to seven
- Body Type: Compact SUV
- Seating Capacity: 5
Kia EV6
The Korean brand was already balling out with their spectacular entry into the Indian market. They were so comfortable with their sales that they even made the bold move to quickly bring in their premium, savvy electric SUV, the Kia EV6. It is hard to take your eyes off the dashing SUV, it looks fantastic owing to the sleek and contemporary design.
The RWD version is powered by an impressive 77.6 kWh battery pack which generates 223 bhp and 350 Nm of torque, enabling it to sprint from 0-100 km/h in just 7.3 seconds. It offers three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport to suit individual driving needs. The EV6 price ranges between Rs. 60.95 lakh and Rs. 65.95 lakh, coming in two GT line variants.
Kia EV6 Specifications
- Engine: Single/Dual motors
- Battery Pack: 77.4kWh
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Range: 708 km
- Airbags: 8
- Body Type: Crossover
- Seating Capacity: 5
FAQs about Electric Cars in India
How safe are EVs in India?
EVs are just as safe as standard petrol or diesel cars. In all EVs, there is an Ingress Protection or IP rating system which means that your EV's battery is safe from dust and water. In terms of safety features, the safety features available in EVs are no different from those in petrol or diesel cars.
Is it affordable to drive an EV in India?
While the upfront cost of an EV is relatively high, its running cost is far cheaper than that of a petrol or diesel car. On average, the running cost of an EV is ₹1.2 – 1.4 per km. On the other hand, the running cost of petrol or diesel cars hovers around ₹9-10 per km. If these figures were to be calculated for the longer term, say 6-8 years, the running costs of an EV and ICE car would come to around ₹1 lakh and ₹4.5 lakhs.
Do I need to wait for charging infrastructure to come up in my city before I buy an EV?
These days, people in cities and towns with no charging stations are owning EVs. Just like mobile phones and laptops, electric cars come with their chargers and can be easily charged at home.
Does Tata Nexon EV have a sunroof?
Yes, Tata Nexon EV has a standard sunroof.
Which electric cars are available in India for below 30 lakhs?
The electric cars in India below 30 lakhs are Tata Tigor EV, Tata Nexon EV Prime, Tata Nexon EV max, MG ZS EV, and Hyundai Kona Electric.
