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

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). 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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