Here Are Full Details of 4 Electric Car Manufacturers In India

In recent years, the global automobile market shows a significant shift of interest toward the electric vehicle segment. Expected to be the future of transportation, the EVs attract the attention of the world’s largest car manufacturers. In the meanwhile, in India, seeing the importance of EVs from the economic and environmental viewpoint, the central government of India earnestly takes steps in promoting the adoption of hybrid and full-electric vehicles. In response to the government’s initiatives, more and more carmakers are making a plan to penetrate the EV segment. It is expected that in the next few years, the EV market will see a flood of various zero-emission vehicles from the most prominent carmakers in India. By far, there are a few names that have set foot in this segment. In the following part, IndianAuto will list out all the electric car manufacturers in India at the moment.

Mahindra Electric

In the beginning, Mahindra Electric Mobility Limited went under the name Reva Electric Car Company. The Bangalore-based company majored in manufacturing and exporting electric vehicles to other markets. In 2010, Mahindra & Mahindra acquired Reva and changed its name into Mahindra Electric as we know today. Under the new brand name, the EV company introduced its first product – the electric hatchback e20 in 2013. In the following years, Mahindra Electric has expanded its fleet of zero-emission cars with the launches of eVerito sedan, eSupro, and Treo. These vehicles are among the very first India-made EV and Mahindra Electric is one of the very first pioneers of the EV segment in our market.

Mahindra Electric is among the earliest electric car manufacturer in India

Mahindra Electric's valuable experience in India’s electric vehicle market gives it an advantage over other upcoming competitors. At the Auto Expo 2020 hold earlier this year, Mahindra Electric introduced the Mahindra eKUV100 to the public. The eKUV100 receives some design elements that separate this electric car from its ICE sibling, the KUV100. Mahindra eKUV100’s 15.9 kWh battery pack is claimed to feature a range of 147 km. The starting price of this upcoming EV is expected to be around Rs 8 lakh, making it the most affordable electric vehicles offered in India. It will mark a new phrase for the Mahindra Electric in a more competitive context.

Tata Motors

Along with Mahindra Electric, Tata Electric is also among the earliest to enter the EV segment. The company has in hand-on experience in the EV market with Tigor EV or Tiago EV. Earlier this year, Tata Motors also introduced the full-electric version of the Nexon SUV.

Tata Motors has just launched a full-electric version of the Nexon SUV

The new Nexon EV applies Tata’s Ziptrong EV technology. This all-electric car is available with a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery which is claimed to offer the range of 312 km. The range of the Nexon EV has challenged the common perception of low-range India-made electric vehicles. The battery of the Nexon EV can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in one hour. With the domestic electric outlet, it takes 8 hours to go from 20 per cent to 80 per cent. Similarly to the ICE version, the Nexon EV is loaded with features like automatic AC, sunroof, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system along with high-tech connectivity features. Tata Nexon EV is priced from 13.99 lakh to 15.99 lakh.

Hyundai

Compared to Mahindra and Tata, Hyundai is a newer player in the EV space. However, with its well-established preeminence in the market, Hyundai is no doubt a major competitor in the EV segment.

Hyundai is the biggest car manufacturer to join the EV competition

Last year, Hyundai launched its first electric vehicle ever in India, the Hyundai Kona. It is India’s first fully-electric SUV. The India-spec Kona is available with a 39 kWh battery with a 100 kW motor. This zero-emission car is claimed to receive a range of 452 km as per ARAI standard. Using a fast charger, the battery can be charged from 0 to 80 per cent in less than one hour. With the standard household 7.2 kW charger, the charging time is estimated be around 6 hours. Just like other Hyundai cars, the Kona Electric comes with a load of comfort creatures including sunroof, ventilated front seats, rear AC wireless charging, 10-way power-adjustable driver seat as well as cruise control. Hyundai Kona also features a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity along with a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.

At the premium starting price of Rs 23.71 (ex-showroom), the Hyundai Kona is clearly not targeted at the majority of car buyers. However, it is reported that Hyundai is working on an affordable electric vehicle for the Indian market, showing its serious intention to develop a wide fleet of EVs for India customers. Along with expanding the EV line-up, Hyundai also starts building its charging facility across India in partnership with IOCL.

MG Motor

MG Motors is among the latest car brands to enter the India market. Last year, MG Motors has launched its first product in India – the MG Hector. This new SUV has received warm responses from India customers. Following the MG Hector, MG Motors launched the MG ZS which is also its first India-spec electric vehicle. This new electric SUV is positioned as a rival against the Hyundai Kona.

MG ZS is the second car to launched by MG Motor in India

MG’s first electric car is claimed to feature a range of 340 km. It is available with both standard AC charger and fast DC charger. The later allows the ZS to be charged up to 80 per cent in less than an hour. The standard charging takes around 6 to 8 hours to finish.

In addition to the listed car brands above, there are also several car manufacturers eyeing at the EV segment. Among these new faces, Maruti Suzuki is the most notable name. Reportedly, India’s largest car manufacturer has been working on electrifying some of its vehicles. At the Auto Expo 2020, Maruti Suzuki revealed the Futuro-e concept car, indicating at a future launch of a mass-produced electric car. The electric version of the popular Wagon R was supposed to go on sales earlier this year but the launch has been delayed until 2021-2022.  Till then, this full-electric vehicle will undergo further testing.

The electric vehicle segment holds tremendous possibilities for car manufacturers to explore. In a few years’ time, electric vehicles will become an essential part of the automobile market. There is an interesting competition ahead and we will see which car manufacturer can win this important segment.