Tata Punch.ev Scores 5 Stars In Latest Bharat NCAP Crash Test Results

Tata Motors continues to shine as the maker of the safest cars in the country and this time, it's Bharat NCAP that has given a thumbs up. After scoring a perfect score for the Tata Harrier and Tata Safari in the first round of crash test results for the newly launched Bharat NCAP, it is now time for the company’s electric portfolio to shine. In a first, the Tata Punch.ev has scored a perfect 5-star rating in the latest round, scoring 31.46 points out of a possible 32 points for adult occupant protection, and 45 points out of a total of 49 points for child occupant protection. The model tested by Bharat NCAP is the top-spec Tata Punch.ev Empowered Plus S Long Range trim but the score reflects the entire range.

Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “Safety, once less discussed, is now a top priority for the Indian car buyer. At Tata Motors, safety is engrained in our DNA, which has made us an industry benchmark. We have continued to be the pioneers in driving the safety conversation – ensuring that our commitment reflects in every vehicle we manufacture, regardless of price point.”

As with all such tests, the Punch.ev was tested for frontal offset impact, side impact protection, the mandatory side pole test, and pedestrian protection. There was also stability testing to see how the ESC works. The Punch.ev comes equipped with comprehensive safety features across all variants, including six airbags, ABS and ESC, three-point seat belts for all seats, and ISOFIX mounts.

In Bharat NCAP’s report, the biomechanical readings showed that the adult dummies have only adequate injuries. Here, the Punch.ev secured 15.71 points from a possible 16 for the frontal offset deformable barrier test while in the side movable deformable barrier test, the entry-level EV from Tata scored 15.74 points out of a possible 16.

The Tata Punch.ev has set a new benchmark in child occupancy protection tests, earning 45 out of a possible 49 points. In the dynamic tests, it scored an impressive 23.95 out of 24, received a perfect 12 out of 12 in the CRS (child seat restraint) category, and achieved 9 out of 13 in the vehicle assessment. This makes the Punch.ev BNCAP’s highest-rated car, surpassing the Tata Nexon.ev, Harrier and Safari, all of which also hold 5-star ratings but with slightly lower scores.

In terms of performance, the Punch EV offers two battery options: a 25 kWh battery with a 315 km range (MIDC) and a 35 kWh battery with a 421 km MIDC range. Charging solutions include a 3.3 kW wall box charger and a 7.2 kW fast charger. The Long Range variants are powered by a 120 bhp, 190 Nm motor, while the regular variants feature an 80 bhp, 114 Nm motor.

Pricing for the Punch.ev ranges from ₹10.99 lakh to ₹15.49 lakh (ex-showroom, India). Its main competitor, the Citroen eC3, starts at ₹12.69 lakh but received a 0-star rating from Global NCAP.