Much to the woe of true gearheads and the pleasure of environmental activists out there, the automobile industry is going electric. Whether you are a fan of the idea or not, the growth of EVs is inevitable. So let’s see what the industry has to offer before completely discounting the idea, because although they don't sound like a roaring V12, they may just be the reason the world lasts a couple more decades. And honestly, that’s enough reason to celebrate, so this World EV Day, let's take a deep dive into what the present and future of the Indian EV market have to offer.
World EV Day: Exploring the EVs of India
It’s time to charge forward toward the future of motion
Best EV cars you can buy right now
Let's start off with the cars because although there is a fair share of EVs emerging, these ones are some of the most iconic and recognisable EVs on the street.
Tata Nexon EV Prime
This one is probably one of the more iconic EVs on the streets today. Priced starting at ₹14.99 lakh (ex-showroom), this rebranded Nexon EV offers additional features with a higher price tag.
The new features include multi-mode regen (four levels) with automatic brake lamp activation, cruise control, and tyre pressure monitoring via the smartphone app in addition to a host of smartwatch connectivity features. Like the Nexon EV, the Nexon EV Prime is powered by a 30.2kWh battery pack, giving you 129hp and an anxiety-free range of over 312km.
Kia EV6
The new EV6 is definitely higher-end, starting at ₹59.95 lakh. The car is available in two powertrain options– a 58kWh battery pack and the larger 77.4kWh unit, but the Indian-spec model is only available with the 77.4kWh battery pack. It gives an impressive range of approximately 528km and comes with rear-wheel-drive, single-motor, and all-wheel-drive, dual-motor layouts.
The bigger battery pack enables the Indian rear-wheel-drive model to produce 229hp and 350Nm, while the all-wheel-drive variant produces 325hp and 605Nm of peak torque. The EV6 supports up to 350kW DC charging, which can juice up the battery from 10-80% in just 18 minutes. With a 50kW fast charger, it takes about 73 minutes.
Kia has definitely given it their all with features like ventilated front seats, wireless chargers, rain-sensing wipers, to a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) on this car.
Jaguar I-Pace
The 2022 Jaguar I-Pace is a fascinating all-electric crossover that boasts a range of 480km in addition to fast-charging capability and instantaneous acceleration. It's closer to a sports car than a five-seat crossover (after all, it is a Jag). It has a sleek design, ample passenger space, and several features. The beast of a machine can do 0-100kph in just 4.8 seconds and produces 400hp and 696Nm torque.
You can charge it at home with a 15amp socket but it can take up to 48 hours, but the 7kW AC wall charger provided with the car brings charging time down to 14 hours. If you use the DC fast charging at 25kW juices up the battery pack from 0-80% in 3.5 hours, while a 50kW DC fast charger reduces charging time to 1.5 hours. The Jaguar I Pace prices start at ₹1.06 crore for the S version, while the top-spec HSE featured here comes in at ₹1.12 crore (ex-showroom, India)
Best EV two-wheelers you can buy right now
Cars are great, but we can't forget about the two-wheelers out there. There are quite a few. Here are some of the more powerful and affordable ones for practical use…
Ather 450X Gen 3
The new Ather 450X Gen 3 is an affordable automotive solution that does its bit for the environment too. Priced at ₹1.55 lakh (ex-showroom), it brings an improved true range of 105km (certified range of 146km), with a top speed of 80kph, 26 Nm torque and peak power of 6.2 kW. While it takes just 10 mins to get a 10% charge, the two-wheeler can go from 0-40km/h in 3.3 seconds.
Additional tech features include the 7in TFT LED-backlit touchscreen that looks absolutely crisp and to the point, running on a 1.3GHz Snapdragon 212 quad-core chipset. With an increased 2GB RAM capacity, you get a smoother and less buggy experience. You will also receive a 16GB storage update, which has been introduced for future features such as offline maps. The screen connects to your phone, making it safer and easier to look at maps and decline calls while riding.
Revolt Motors RV 400
The Revolt RV 400 is another electric bike that offers its fair share of features. Packing in a 3.4kWh lithium-ion battery, this bike offers three modes – Eco, Normal and Sport. With a max torque of 170 Nm, the bike is capable of a top speed of 85 kph. You get a decent mileage of about 150kph (in Eco Mode). The battery takes about 4.5 hours to charge from 0-100%.
This electric two-wheeler is priced starting at ₹1.24 lakh (ex-showroom).
TVS iQube Electric
The TVS iQube Electric uses a 44000W BLDC Motor and is equipped with a 3.04 kWh battery. Priced at ₹1.61 lakh, the scooter gives you about 145km of range per charge in Eco mode and about 110 km in Sports Mode. The scooter can do 0-40kph in 4.2s and has a top speed of 82 kph. It has a digital console and LED brake lights. You can connect your phone too, using the Bluetooth feature.
Additional features include Parking Assist, Live Location Status, Crash & Fall Alert, GSM Connectivity, Parking Brake Lever, BMS-Controlled Protection System and Spike Protection.
Home-brewed EV brands
That’s cool, but you know what’s better than being environmentally conscious? Being environmentally conscious AND supporting local businesses. Because who doesn't love some quality made-in-India goods? Adding to this list are…
Kinetic Green-Zing
Priced at ₹85,000(ex-showroom) the Zing High-Speed Scooter (HSS) is an electric scooter introduced to reduce the woes of your daily commute, without doing too much damage to your bank account.
Equipped with several features including the multi-speed mode and the part failure indicator, the scooter boasts a range of 125km per charge and a 60kph top speed. It has been safety tested too, so you can put your mind a little at ease while zipping around the city (if that's a viable possibility). Under the hood, the scooter packs in a 3.4 KwH lithium-ion battery and comes with a 3-step adjustable suspension, alongside the regenerative braking system to provide a smoother ride.
Oben EV Rorr
Priced at ₹1 lakh, the Oben EV Rorr is an electric two-wheeler equipped with a range of 200km on a single charge. While even the Eco mode, where the top speed is capped at 50kph, manages to squeeze out a 150km range, courtesy of the 10kW peak output of its permanent magnet motor.
It offers three modes – Havoc, City and Eco mode, that offer different capabilities and top speeds for different scenarios, including a top speed of 100kph in the Havoc mode. All this is achieved thanks to the non-removable 4.4kWh battery pack that it packs in.
The battery uses a 15A plug-point for charging and the company will set up a 15A socket at your house for free, and provide three years of roadside assistance. You even get a coloured negative LCD display that provides basic information, along with an eSIM and app connectivity. Lastly, it packs in an anti-theft system and LED lighting all around.
Bounce Infinity E1
Bounce Infinity E1 is an Indian-made electric scooter. Generating 1500 W power from its motor, the scooter packs in both front and rear disc brakes, to keep you safe on the horrendous roads. The unique thing over here is that the scooter comes with a swappable battery. This e-scooter is available with a unique ‘battery-as-a-service’ subscription plan. You can either buy the scooter with a battery and charger or without a battery. If you choose to be the latter, you will have to opt for the battery-as-a-service plan in which they can use Bounce’s battery swapping network for running the scooter.
It is propelled by a BLDC motor that produces 83Nm of torque, with a 65kph top speed. It can go from 0-40kph in 8 seconds and has two modes – Eco and Power. The battery is a 48V 39Ah unit that can be charged using regular electric sockets. Charging takes around four to five hours and gives an 85km range.
The price of the Infinity E1 with a battery is Rs 68,999 and without a battery is Rs 45,099 (both prices are ex-showroom, Delhi).
Switch Mobility- Double-decker Bus
This is a more specific local gem since Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, has decided to reimagine and renovate Mumbai’s iconic double-decker BEST bus.
The 200 buses in question will pack on massive 231kWh Nickel, Manganese and Cobalt batteries and come with a 250km range (depending on a lot of external factors). The battery is equipped with four layers of safety systems and an eight-year warranty to help them withstand the test of time. The electric buses will have reduced running costs from ₹41 per km to just ₹ 2.40 per km as compared to their diesel counterpart.
The new double deckers are fully air-conditioned and feature remote intervention as well, which enables Switch to monitor data like battery temperature and health remotely, providing real-time safety measures.
Keep it luxurious but make it electric
If you happen to be the more bougie sort and aren't looking to hold back on your budget, don't worry we’ve got you covered too.
Audi e-Tron 55 Quattro
Priced at ₹1.1Cr, this luxurious car is on par with a similarly priced ICE-powered SUV. Offering over 350kms of range, this vehicle is powered by a 95 kWh, Lithium Ion Battery. With a top speed of 200kph and capable of producing 402 bhp and 664 Nm of torque, this car claims to do 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds.
You get 11kW AC fast charging as standard (with the option of 22kW), and the car can be charged at DC fast chargers of up to 150kW, too.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche’s first all-electric car is as high-end and power-packed as you’d expect from the company’s ₹1.5Cr (starting price, ex-showroom) vehicle. Sporting a single 326hp motor that provides only rear-wheel drive, you get a maximum of 408hp in ‘overboost’ when you use launch control.
The Taycan has a magnet synchronous motor and runs a 600A pulse inverter alongside a 2-speed gearbox. The Porsche claims to do 0-100kph in 5.4sec, and 0-200 in around 17.6 seconds.
The Performance Battery has a 79.2kWh capacity and can charge at up to 225kW. The larger optional Performance Battery Plus which weighs about 77kg more, provides a 93.54kWh capacity and can charge at up to 270kW. With the bigger battery, the motor can produce up to 469hp. On the charging front, an 11kW AC current charger will charge the car from 0-100% in eight hours, while a 50kW DC charger can take the battery from 5-80% in one-and-a-half hours.
Superchargers around the country to keep your vehicle juiced
What’s the point of these cars, if there is nowhere to charge them? A few companies are out to create a vast, well-connected network of chargers across the nation. These are some of the fastest ones out there.
Kia Charging Station Kochi
Kia has launched the country’s first 240kWh charger for EV passenger vehicles. This DC fast charger has been installed in Incheon Kia Kochi and will provide more than adequate fast charging capabilities to the Kia EV6 (taking it from 10% to 80 % in about 18 minutes) as well as all other commercial EV vehicles. You will have to pay per use.
Kia Charging Station Gurgaon
Kia has also installed a 150kW charging station at Dhingra Kia Gurgaon in Haryana. The company is out to install 15 such superfast electric vehicle chargers across 12 Indian cities. With a capacity of 150 kW, this DC EV charger is capable of juicing up the Kia EV6 from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 42 minutes.
The Tata Power Network
Tata has installed a vast array of over 150 power stations across the country offering anywhere between 25kW to 50kW chargers, so you are unlikely to get stranded in any part of the country!