World EV Day 2023: Budget EVs You Can Buy Under Rs 20 Lakh

The push for EVs in India has been unprecedented for the past couple of years. Infact, in the first 6 months of 2023, the total EV sales in the country were already up by 73 per cent when compared to CY2023. According to the data provided by Vahan, the total sales of EVs in India half into CY2023 stood at an astonishing 721,971 units. On the occasion of World EV day, we’ve compiled a list of the top budget electric cars one can buy in India.

• MG Comet EV

The first on the list is the most affordable EV in the country - MG Comet EV. This tiny 3-door electric car’s price ranges between Rs 7.98 lakh to Rs 9.98 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes in 3 variants - Pace, Play and Plush - and MG Motor India has equipped the Comet EV with a 17.3 kWh battery pack. It has an ARAI-certified figure of 230 km and comes with a 3.3 kW charger as standard. The Comet EV is powered by a single-motor which churns out 41 bhp and 110 Nm of torque. If you want to know more, don’t forget to head over to our review of the MG Comet EV.

• Tata Tiago EV

Next on the list is Tata's most affordable EV on sale in India - Tiago EV. The Tata Tiago EV’s price ranges between Rs 8.69 lakh and Rs 12.04 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in 4 trim levels - XE, XT, XZ+ and XZ+ Tech Lux. The Tiago EV can be had with two battery pack options - 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh. The former has a MIDC claimed range of 250 km while the latter has a claimed MIDC range of 315 Km. The power figures for the 19.2 kWH battery pack stand at 60 bhp and 110 Nm of torque, while the 24 kWh version puts out 72 bhp and 114 Nm of torque.

• Tata Tigor EV

The Tigor EV’s price ranges between Rs 12.49 lakh and Rs 13.75 lakh (ex-showroom). It comes packed with a 26 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is good for a claimed range of 315 km. Its electric motor churns out 73 bhp and 170 Nm of peak torque. The Tigor EV comes in 4 variants - XE, XT, XZ+ and XZ+ Lux. Furthermore, it comes with a 8 year/1,60,000 km warranty on the electric battery and motor.

• Citroen eC3

Then there’s the Citroen eC3, which is priced between Rs 11.50 lakh and Rs 12.43 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in 4 variants - Live, Feel and Feel (Vibe Pack) and Feel Dual-Tone. The eC3 comes packed with a 29.2 kWH battery pack which is good for a claimed ARAI figure of 320 km. Its front-axle mounted electric motor puts out 55 bhp and 143 Nm of torque. Furthermore, the eC3 comes with two driving modes - Eco and Standard.

• Tata Nexon EV

Tata Motors will soon be launching the heavily updated version of the Nexon EV, which was unveiled on September 7, 2023. The Nexon EV will not adorn the Prime and Max suffixes anymore and will now use Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR) instead. The Nexon EV MR will come with the same 30 kWh battery, while the LR will come with the larger 40.5kWh battery. The claimed ARAI range for the MR now stands at 325 km, while the claimed range for the LR version stands at 465 km. The updated Nexon EV will go on sale on September 14, but if you want to know more, just head to our unveil story.

• Mahindra XUV400

Last but certainly not least is Mahindra’s XUV400. Its price ranges between Rs 15.99 lakh and Rs 18.99 lakh (ex-showroom). It is available in 3 variants - EC(3.3 kW), EC (7.2 kW) and EL (7.2 kW) and gets 2 battery pack options - 34.5 kWh and 39.4 kWh. The XUV400 is powered by a front axle mounted electric motor which churns out 147 bhp and 310 Nm of peak torque. Furthermore it gets 3 driving modes - Fun, Fast and Fearless. The claimed MIDC range for the 34.5 kWh version stands at 375 km, while the 39.4 kWh is said to deliver a claimed MIDC range of 456 km.

That’s our list! However, there is expected to be a new entrant into this list very soon in the form of the Tata Punch EV, which is slated to launch before the end of 2023. It should get similar specifications to the Tigor EV and Tiago EV, in terms of pricing and battery pack options. One thing’s for certain though, the surge of EVs in India is on the rise and it only seems to be getting stronger and stronger.