Cheapest Electric Cars In India You Should Consider

Electric cars in India are no longer just about saving on fuel. Now, they come loaded with features, decent range and quick charging options too. And if budget is your main concern, there are a few EVs that manage to tick all the right boxes without burning a hole in your pocket. Here is a look at three of the cheapest electric cars in India right now, and what each of them has to offer on the table.

Tata Tiago EV

The Tata Tiago EV continues to be the most affordable electric car in India. It is priced between Rs 6.99 lakh and Rs 9.99 lakh, ex-showroom. Tata also offers it under a Battery-as-a-Service model, which brings the upfront price down to around Rs 4.69 lakh. It lets buyers pay for the battery usage separately. In terms of design, the Tiago EV largely follows the same silhouette as its petrol sibling. However,  it gets its own set of updates including a revised front and rear fascia, connected LED tail lamps, and a dual tone cabin that feels a notch more premium than before.

Under the skin, buyers get a choice of two battery packs, a 19.2kWh unit and a larger 24kWh one. The smaller battery is good for an ARAI claimed range of 226km, while the bigger pack pushes that figure up to 285km. Real world range, as is usually the case, tends to settle somewhere between 170km and 220km depending on how the car is driven. On the performance front, the 19.2kWh version makes 61 PS and 110Nm of torque, while the 24kWh variant is slightly punchier at 75 PS and 114Nm. It can manage to catch a 0 to 60kmph sprint in about 5.7 seconds.

Charging is where the Tiago EV has genuinely improved. A standard 3.3kW charger takes anywhere between 6.9 and 8.7 hours for a full charge depending on the battery. Stepping up to a 7.2kW AC charger brings the charging time down to 2.6 to 3.6 hours. For those in a hurry, a 30kW DC fast charger can take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 35 minutes. Tata claims 18 minutes of charging is enough to add 100km of range. Feature wise, the Tiago EV comes with a 10.25 inch touchscreen, a fully digital driver's display, a 360 degree camera, six airbags as standard, automatic climate control, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 24kWh variant also gets a lifetime battery warranty, which is a strong reassurance for long term ownership.

MG Comet EV

The Comet EV takes a slightly different approach, positioning itself as a compact city car rather than a conventional hatchback. It is priced between Rs 7.80 lakh and Rs 10.07 lakh, ex-showroom, and MG also offers a BaaS plan starting at Rs 4.99 lakh, with battery rental charged separately at around Rs 3.2 per km. Design wise, the Comet EV is unmistakably boxy and compact, measuring under three metres in length. Its 4.2 metre turning radius makes it genuinely easy to manoeuvre and park in crowded city streets.

In Comet, the power comes from a single 17.4kWh lithium ion battery pack, which has an ARAI claimed range of 230km, though real world figures tend to hover between 170km and 200km. The rear mounted electric motor produces around 42PS and 110Nm of torque. The top speed is capped at around 85 to 100kmph, which tells you this is built strictly for city commuting rather than highway runs. One thing to note is that the Comet EV does not support DC fast charging. A standard 3.3kW AC charger takes about 7 hours for a full charge, while the optional 7.4kW charger reduces that to roughly 3.5 hours.

Despite its size, the Comet EV does not feel bare bones on features. It gets dual 10.25 inch displays, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and connected car technology with over 55 features. It is a four seater with sliding rear seats for easier second row entry. MG backs the battery with an 8 year or 1.2 lakh km warranty, which extends to a lifetime warranty for the first owner.

Tata Punch EV

If a hatchback or micro EV feels too small, the Punch EV is worth considering as a step up, offering SUV styling and noticeably more range for a bit more money. It is priced between Rs 9.69 lakh and Rs 12.79 lakh, ex-showroom. With a BaaS option that brings the starting price down to Rs 6.49 lakh. The Punch EV carries over the bold, upright stance of its ICE counterpart, and gets details like diamond cut alloy wheels along with an electric sunroof on the top spec variant.

The Punch EV is offered with two battery options, a 30kWh pack and a larger 40kWh unit, both using LFP prismatic cells. The 30kWh variant returns an ARAI claimed range of around 365km, while the 40kWh version goes all the way up to 468km, with real world figures estimated at 260 to 275km and 335 to 355km respectively. Power output stands at 88PS and 154Nm for the 30kWh version, while the 40kWh variant makes a stronger 129PS with the same 154Nm of torque. It can reach from 0 to 100kmph in about 9 seconds.

Charging speeds are equally competitive. A 7.2kW AC charger takes between 4.5 and 5.3 hours for a full charge depending on the battery pack, while a 65kW DC fast charger can take the battery from 20 to 80 percent in just 26 minutes, with a 15 minute top up said to add around 135km of range. On the features front, the Punch EV comes with a HARMAN sourced infotainment system, a digital cockpit, iRA.ev connected car technology with over 60 features, ventilated front seats, an in built air purifier, and cruise control with hill ascent and descent control. Like the Tiago EV, the 40kWh variant also comes with a lifetime battery warranty.

Also Read - Best Honda Cars Under Rs 15 Lakh

Which One Should You Pick

Choosing between these three really comes down to what you need from your first EV. The Tiago EV makes the most sense if the lowest possible entry price is the priority, while still offering dependable range for daily use. The Comet EV suits someone who drives almost entirely within city limits and values its compact footprint over outright range. The Punch EV, meanwhile, is the one to consider if you want SUV space, a longer range, and are willing to spend a little more to get there.