New Mercedes EQA EV Costs Rs 35 Lakh Abroad - Is Tata Nexon EV At Rs 14 Lakh Better Deal?

Mercedes has officially unveiled its smallest EV, the EQA compact SUV globally. Instead of being built on a unique EV architecture, it is based on the current GLA but the platform gets multiple changes to accommodate the electric powertrain. Initially, the EQA will only be available in a single 250 variant, which will be front-wheel-drive with a single electric motor mounted on the front axle.  The motor is powered by a 66.5 kWh battery, which gives the EQA a WLTP certified mileage of 426 km. The EQA has ben priced upwards of Rs 35 lakh globally, and it may launch sometime next year. However, there is a much cheaper alternative to the Mercedes with decent mileage on a full charge, The Tata Nexon EV.

Prices for the Tata Nexon EV start from under Rs 14 lakh, a gap of over Rs 20 lakh when compared to the Mercedes EQA.  The Nexon EV comes with a much smaller battery with a size of 30.2 kWh but claimed mileage is still upwards of 300 kms. So for over Rs 20 lakh more, you only get a 100 kms or so more mileage from the EQA. And even though it may deliver longer range, EV range anxiety is still a big factor in India as vehicle charging infrastructure is still quite weak.

The battery in the Tata Nexon EV powers a motor on the front axle which makes 129 PS of peak power and it takes 6-8 hours to fully charge the EV from a home outlet. If you have access to a public charge or you have installed a fast charger, you can get 80% charge in just 50 minutes. The Mercedes EQA’s motor makes peak power and torque figures of 190 PS and 375 Nm. On a regular 11 kW charger, it takes 6 hours to fully charge the battery while you can 80% charge in just 30 minutes with a fast charger.

For Rs 14 lakh, the Tata Nexon EV comes loaded a with features like an electric sunroof, six airbags, Hill Hold And Descent Control, rear parking camera, rear parking sensors, braking regeneration, drive modes, automatic headlamps, and a digital speedometer. The Mercedes EQA’s headline feature is two 10.25 inch displays that will handle the instrument console and infotainment system for the top models. Mercedes will most probably bring only one variant, the top one when it launches the EQA in India.