Best electric cars in India

With advancements in Electric Vehicle (EV) technology, India is steadily becoming one of the largest markets for electric cars. Renowned car manufacturers like Tata Motors, Mahindra, Hyundai, and Audi have already launched some of the best electric cars in India. Hence, there are several options available if you are looking for a four-wheeler EV for your everyday commute.

While choosing an electric car, you need to find the right balance between price, features, charging time, and driving range. Therefore, a comparative selection becomes essential to buy an EV best-suited for your driving needs.

Keeping all the necessary factors in mind, this article brings you a list of the best electric vehicles in India.

List of top/best electric cars in India

The following are the top electric sedan/SUV cars in India.

1. Mahindra E Verito

Price: Rs. 10.15 lakhs - Rs. 10.49 lakhs

Exterior

The E Verito is an electric sedan from Mahindra that looks pretty similar to a conventional fuel sedan from the outside. The exterior highlights include alloy wheels and body-coloured bumpers, door handles, ORVMs, and side-body cladding.

Powertrain

This electric sedan runs on a 3-phase 72-volt AC induction motor with a battery capacity of 21.2 kWh. The powertrain is mated to a Front-wheel Drive (FWD) transmission.

Range

The claimed range for the E Verito is 110 km per full charge.

Features

With the E Verito, you get a variety of features for a convenient driving experience. It comes with the REVive feature that allows additional range whenever necessary. The EV also offers an electro-hydraulic power steering system, regenerative braking, and remote vehicle diagnostics technology.

Charging

There are both regular and fast charging options available for this EV. You can charge the vehicle from 0-80% within 90 minutes using a fast-charging source. However, regular charging takes about 11 hours 30 minutes to have a fully charged E Verito. 

2. Tata Tigor EV

Price: Rs. 11.99 lakhs - Rs. 13.14 lakhs

Exterior

Tata Tigor EV is a sedan sharing its visual appeal with the regular fuel Tigor version. But there are highlights that give this car a distinctive look. Some of those features include tri-arrow detailing on the front grille, 14-inch hyper-styled steel wheels, and LED DRLs.

Powertrain

The new Tigor EV has a Ziptron powertrain with a battery pack of 26 kWh. The permanent magnet synchronous motor allows the vehicle to accelerate from 0-60 kmph in 5.7 seconds.

Range

The claimed range for the Tigor EV is 306 km on a full charge.

Features

There is a 7-inch Harman touchscreen system in place with 4 tweeters and 4 speakers inside the car. Other convenient features include electronic boot unlock, driver seat height adjustment, cooled glovebox, reverse parking camera, and automatic ORVMs.

Charging

You can top up your Tigor EV from 0 to 80% charging in 65 minutes using a fast-charging source. However, a regular charging source will require around 9 to 10 hours for 100% charging. 

3. Tata Nexon EV

Price: Rs. 13.99 lakhs - Rs. 16.85 lakhs

Exterior

The Tata Nexon EV is an electric SUV showcasing striking 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels. The all-new LED lights in the rear look astonishing at night. Moreover, blue highlights are all over the exterior to make it look distinctive from the regular fuel Nexon.

Powertrain

Tata Motors has given the Ziptron technology to this EV with a battery pack of 30.2 kWh. The permanent synchronous motor delivers a smooth and silent drive experience. The car is claimed to reach from 0-100 kmph in 9.9 seconds.

Range

The range claimed for the Nexon EV is 312 km on a full charge.

Features

This EV sports a digital instrument cluster to provide information such as battery consumption, driving range, power flow, energy flow, etc. Using the ZConnect application, you can diagnose the health of the car, control door locks, manage temperature and even track or immobilise the car remotely.

Charging

You can use a fast charger to charge the Nexon EV from 0-80% within 60 minutes. However, a regular charger will require around 8-9 hours to recharge the battery from 0-100%. 

4. MG ZS EV

Price: Rs. 20.99 lakhs - Rs. 24.18 lakhs

Exterior

The MG ZS EV looks attractive and kind of similar to a petrol or diesel SUV. However, the exterior of this e-SUV gets stylish and practical elements such as 17-inch windmill-inspired alloy wheels, LED DRLs, and projector headlamps.

Powertrain

The latest MG ZS EV has a battery pack of 44.5 kWh that powers a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The SUV is claimed to speed up from 0-100 kmph in 8.5 seconds.

Range

The MG ZS EV is claimed to run for 419 km on a full charge.

Features

The SUV offers connected car technology with the new iSmart system. The SUV is capable of understanding voice commands in Hinglish (English and Hindi). There are a total of 35 voice commands, such as “FM Chalao” and “Temperature Kum Kardo”, available to ease the control over vehicle features.

Charging

You can charge the ZS EV from 0-80% in 50 minutes with a fast charger. A regular charging source will require 6-8 hours to fully recharge the battery.

5. Hyundai Kona Electric

Price: Rs. 23.79 lakhs - Rs. 23.97 lakhs

Exterior

The Kona Electric is an e-SUV from Hyundai that looks like the stylised version of the regular fuel Kona. The front grille conceals the charging port and the front bumper has redesigned vents for aerodynamics.

Powertrain

The Kona Electric has a battery pack of 39.2 kWh that powers an electric motor of 100 kW. The SUV is capable of accelerating from 0-100 kmph in just 9.3 seconds.

Range

The claimed range for Kona Electric is 452 km on a full charge.

Features

The SUV gets a music system with 6 speakers and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The audio and phone controls are mounted to the steering wheel. Other features include steering reach and tilt adjustment, IRVM with auto-dimming, automatic air-conditioning, etc.

Charging

The fast charging option is available along with regular charging for this EV. A fast charger takes about 57 minutes to provide 80% charging. However, a regular charging source can fully charge the battery in 6 hours 10 minutes. 

6. Audi e-tron

Price: Rs. 99.99 lakhs - Rs. 1.17 crores

Exterior

Audi’s e-tron features 20-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels, a single-frame grille, as well as LED headlights and tail lights. The car is available in three variants based on the Sportback and SUV body styles. You can choose between e-tron Sportback 55, e-tron 55, and e-tron 50.

Powertrain

The e-tron 50 is powered by a battery pack of 71 kWh, while the e-tron 55 is powered by a battery pack of 95 kWh. As per the manufacturer, the car takes only 5.7 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 kmph.

Range

Depending on the variant and battery pack, the range of the e-tron can vary between 379 km to 484 km per full charge.

Features

The e-tron features a virtual cockpit, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, 4-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and 4-spoke steering wheel.

Charging

You can use the fast charging source to charge this EV from 0-80% in 30 minutes. If charged using a regular charger, the battery pack takes about 9 hours to obtain 100% charge. 

7. Jaguar I-Pace

Price: Rs. 1.05 crores - Rs. 1.12 crores

Exterior

The Jaguar I-Pace is an SUV with an impressive aerodynamic design that supports the claim of efficient stability and range. The design looks sleek, especially due to the rear haunches, flowing front-to-back lines and bonnet scoop.

Powertrain

The I-Pace gets a 90 kWh battery pack with two electric motors on the front as well as rear axles. The dual motors allow the vehicle to accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 4.8 seconds.

Range

On a full charge, the Jaguar I-Pace is claimed to run for 470 km.

Features

The highlighting features of this SUV include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, Meridian music system, automatic climate control, 3D surround camera, etc.

Charging

You can charge up the I-Pace from 0-80% using a fast charger in 40 minutes. When using a regular charger, 0-80% charging takes about 10 hours. 

8. Mercedes-Benz EQC

Price: Rs. 1.06 crores

Exterior

The Mercedes-Benz EQC is an electric SUV that impresses with a practical yet luxurious exterior. The roofline offers a dynamic coupe design, giving it a sleek look from front to back. The wheel design is specific to the Mercedes EQ and comes with optional blue detailing.

Powertrain

The vehicle runs on dual motors, one for each axle, with a battery pack of 80 kWh. The acceleration from 0-100 kmph takes 5.1 seconds only.

Range

The claimed range for the Mercedes-Benz EQC is 471 km on a full charge.

Features

Mercedes offers some of the most advanced features in this EV for convenience and comfort. The top features include the MBUX multimedia system, MBUX Augmented Reality (AR) navigation and climate control. There is an AIR-Balance package available to manage the fragrance inside the cabin as per your mood and preference.

Charging

The regular charging time for the Mercedes-Benz is pretty impressive. On a regular charger, the car takes around 7.5 hours to charge fully. Then, a fast-charging option allows you to recharge up to 80% in 30 minutes only. 

List of upcoming electric cars in India in 2021 and beyond

A little waiting period can open more EV options for you with various upcoming electric cars in India in 2021 and beyond. Here is a list of upcoming electric cars you can keep an eye on.

• Mahindra eKUV100

• Tata Tiago EV 

• Tata Sierra EV

• Nissan Leaf

• Tata Altroz EV

• Renault K-ZE

• Mahindra XUV300 Electric

Note: All prices mentioned in this article are ex-showroom, Delhi and the driving range is based on the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) rating.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best mileage electric car in India?

When shortlisting an electric vehicle, you should compare the range with pricing to select cost-effective options. Following electric cars offer a good mileage at budget-friendly prices.

• Tata Tigor EV (range - 306 km per full charge)

• Tata Nexon EV (range - 312 km per full charge)

• MG ZS EV (range - 416 km per full charge)

Keeping the price aside, the best mileage EVs in India include:

• Mercedes-Benz EQC (471 km per full charge)

• Jaguar I-Pace (470 km per full charge)

• Audi i-tron (484 km per full charge)

Can I buy an electric car with a budget of under Rs. 20 lakhs?

Right now, the EV segment has three good vehicle options under Rs. 20 lakhs in India: Mahindra E Verito, Tata Tigor EV, and Tata Nexon EV.

What is a good charging time for an electric car?

The charging time can vary for electric vehicles depending on their battery size and charging source. A DC charger (fast-charger) can recharge batteries within 30-60 minutes. However, a regular AC charging source usually takes about 8-12 hours to recharge EV batteries. Hence, it would be good to ensure that you buy an EV with a fast-charging option.

What are the fastest electric cars I can find in India?

Some of the fastest electric cars in India are:

• Jaguar I-Pace (top speed - 200 kmph)

• Mercedes-Benz EQC (top speed - 180 kmph) 

• Hyundai Kona Electric (top speed - 167 kmph)

• MG ZS EV (top speed - 140 kmph)

• Audi e-tron (top speed - 120 kmph)

How much money will I have to spend on maintaining an electric car?

While the maintenance cost of an electric car depends on its brand and model, it will be way lesser than conventional cars. The absence of an internal combustion engine makes EVs easier to maintain, and the service costs reduce significantly as well.

Will I have to recharge the battery of my electric vehicle every night?

The frequency of recharging your electric vehicle will depend on your everyday commute and vehicle’s range. You can choose to put the vehicle on recharge overnight whenever required.  If your EV has a range between 200-400 km per full charge, then you won’t have to recharge it every night. But make sure you check the battery charge before and after long journeys to avoid any inconvenience.

Explore More:

• Best Selling Cars in India

• Subsidy on Electric Vehicles

• Cheap Electric Cars in India

• Low Maintenance Cars

• Best CNG Cars

• Best Indian Cars for Long Drives