Upcoming electric cars in India (2021)

The electric vehicle revolution of India is not in the future anymore, it’s here and now. The success of the MG ZS EV & Tata Nexon EV in 2020 chronicled the first chapter of the ‘next-gen’ car in India – one that has weaned off fossil fuels. These cars are a testament that the days are numbered for the tailpipe, and that the argument of range anxiety, uncomfortable cabin, compromised safety and high price are slowly turning invalid. Here are 9 upcoming electric cars in India compiled by ElectricVehicleWeb.in that we think are potential game-changers.


Tesla Model 3

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Tesla CEO Elon Musk finally confirmed the Model 3’s launch in India taking to Twitter a couple of months back. He said that Tesla vehicles would be available in 2021 and that the online configurator would go live around January 2021. We expect deliveries to begin with customers who have pre-ordered the Model 3 and perhaps even offer the Model Y here. The Model 3 cars could be imported from the plant in USA, and it is reported by the media that Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra are in discussion with Tesla for its local operations including a manufacturing plant. The Model 3 has a range up to 580 km range, a 261 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.3 seconds, but it is to be seen which variants are opened to India.

 

Mahindra eKUV100

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When your next Ola or Uber ride is here, don’t be surprised if the pick-up is in a Mahindra eKUV100! Displayed at the Auto Expo this year, the eKUV100 is Mahindra Electric’s next launch, with bookings expected to open in December. It’s not just shared mobility players that Mahindra targets, mind you. The company feels even personal car buyers would be charmed by the electric crossover that could tick all the boxes of a city car or a second vehicle of the household.

The Mahindra eKUV100 is driven by a 40 kW (53.6 hp) electric motor, producing 120 Nm that drives the front wheels. The eKUV100 is claimed to have a range of 147 km and can be charged to 80 per cent in one hour through a DC fast charging outlet. The price of the eKUV100 is Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).

 

Mahindra eXUV300

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Arguably Mahindra’s most exciting electric vehicle launch is the eXUV300 that is set to arrive on the stage in late-2021. The eXUV300 differs from other affordable electric vehicles through its high-voltage platform that gives it a proper car-like range, acceleration and top speed. The 350V system is expected to give it a range of 375 km, making it a formidable option for INR 12 lakh. Expect all the features of the XUV300 on the electric version and on top of it, a wireless charging mat, a larger pop-up style touchscreen, aero-enhanced body and styling differences.

 

Audi e-tron

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Audi’s e-tron has been confirmed by the local subsidiary’s CEO to launch in the coming weeks. To compete with the Mercedes EQC, the e-tron is to be powered by a 95 kWh battery that feeds two electric motors, one on each axle. The output (combined) is 300 kW that enables the e-tron to accelerate to 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.7 seconds and onward to a top speed of 200 km/h. It has a driving range of 436 km (WLTP) and at a 150 kW DC fast-charging station, the electric SUV can be recharged to 80% of its capacity in 30 minutes. The price of the e-tron is expected above Rs.1 crore (ex-showroom).

 

Jaguar I-Pace

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The Jaguar I-Pace is now confirmed to reach Indian dealer showrooms in early 2021 and since its a CBU, expect the ex-showroom price at around INR 1 crore. Jaguar Land Rover India is working in partnership with Tata Power for a basic network of fast chargers in India to give customers the necessary peace of mind. JLR will offer the Jaguar electric vehicle in three trims: S, SE & HSE. Powering the Jaguar electric car is a 90 kWh Lithium-ion battery which is configured to offer a range of 470 kilometers (WLTP). 80% of the battery is capable of being charged in 40 minutes using a 100 kW DC rapid charger while a 7 kW home charger takes just over 10 hours. The Jaguar i-Pace EV400 variant has electric motors on each axle that generate 400 PS and 696 Nm of torque which can launch the I-Pace from 0-100 km/h in 4.8 s.

 

Maruti Wagon R EV

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The first Maruti electric car is to be based on the Indian-spec Wagon R using the Heartect frame. It would be a crossover-styled compact vehicle which would first launch for the commercial buyers before the personal transport segment next year. The release of the Maruti electric car has seen delays due to the lack of a good charging infrastructure, the relatively high battery cost and the impact of the pandemic on the shared mobility segment.

When it eventually comes out, expect the Maruti Wagon R EV with a battery capacity of 18-20 kWh offering a real world travel range of 160-180 km. The car would be DC Fast charging compatible where its battery can be charged to 80% in one hour, and a full charge from a household socket could take about 7 hours.

 

Tata Altroz EV

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The petrol & diesel versions of the Tata Altroz hit the sweet spot of the premium hatch market in 2020, and sales have recovered quickly following the unlock. Tata Motors has another ace up its sleeve in the form of the Tata Altroz EV, a long-range, high-performance electric hatchback that will see the light of day in 2021 and promises to lower the entry price for an EV aspirant in the personal car segment.

Generated on the versatile ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) platform and powered by ZIPTRON tech, the vehicle uses a 300-volt AC motor which uses a single-speed transmission. The ZIPTRON powertrain and the lower weight of the Altroz could increase the range of the car to 250 km range in the real world. The IP67-rated liquid-cooled battery pack can be charged to 80 per cent in 1 hour using a DC fast charger. Expect the Altroz EV to cost between Rs 10-12 lakh (ex-showroom) with variants available to city & long-distance travel customers.

 

2021 Hyundai Kona Electric

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While retaining the same powertrain (that gives it a range of 453 km in the ARAI test) the Kona has received a bunch of cosmetic changes to freshen things up for 2021, globally. The revisions to the exterior include a sharper nose, new lights, wheels and shut-off grille. The refreshed electric SUV features a new 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto and multiple Bluetooth connections, and a brand new 10.25-inch all-digital instrument cluster, along with ambient lighting.

Speaking of the powertrain, the ‘Indian’ Kona is powered by a high-voltage 39.2 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that is paired with a 136 PS permanent-magnet synchronous motor. It puts out a torque of 40.27 kgm that drives the front wheels and can accelerate the electric SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 s. Expect to see the launch of the refreshed Kona in India towards the end of 2021 at about Rs. 23 lakh (ex-showroom).

 

Volvo XC40 Recharge

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Volvo Cars’ Indian CEO Charles Frump has confirmed the launch of Volvo XC40 Recharge. To be available from the second half of next year, Frump has said the company is looking to price the car aggressively vis-à-vis the ICE variant hinting that it could launch it at under Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom).

Based on the regular XC40, the Recharge variant has an all-wheel-drive system with 2 motors and a 78 kWh battery. It offers a driving range of over 400 km (WLTP) in one charge with a power output of 408 hp. The battery charge level hits 80% in just 40 minutes at a DC fast-charger. The XC40 Recharge can go to 100 km/h from a standstill in 4.9 s and onwards to a top speed of 180 km/h.

 

To read more on Electric CarsClick here

 

Also see: DC Avanti successor could go electric sportscar – REPORT

 

GALLERY: Upcoming electric cars in India (2021)