India is ready to embrace the electric vehicles as most of the automakers prepare their electric vehicles for our market. Local car manufacturers are also planning to introduce several new electric vehicles in the next few years. Electric vehicles are expected to account for nearly 20 to 30% of all passenger car sales in India by 2030. In this article, we talk about the upcoming electric vehicles from domestic automakers Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors.
Tata Motors presented the electric version of the Altroz premium hatchback model at Auto Expo 2020. It is reported that the Altroz EV could be launched in late 2021 or early 2022. The electric hatch is expected to feature the same powertrain used in the Nexon EV. The Nexon EV has an IP67-certified 30.2 kWh battery with a permanent magnet AC motor.
The Altroz EV’s battery is expected to offer an electric range of between 250 km and 300 km. The battery is charged via a direct current quick charge and a normal socket. It can take approximately 60 minutes to charge DC to 80% with a DC Fast Charge. The EV will likely also get a new ZConnect app for networked vehicle functions.
Tata Motors will introduce the HBX Micro SUV later this year. The micro SUV is only offered as a petrol avatar. However, Tata is also working on the electric version of the small SUV. The electric model is expected to be launched in 2022-23. The mini SUV will likely feature Ziptron EV powertrain technology, which is also offered in the NEXON EV.
The Ziptron EV drive train consists of a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery with a 129 hp electric motor on the front axle. The NEXON EV is said to offer a range of 312 km on a single charge. An updated version of the electric powertrain with a range of over 300 km is expected for the HBX micro SUV.
Mahindra presented the electric version of the compact SUV XUV300 at the 2020 Auto Expo. The eXUV300 electric SUV is expected to hit the market by 2022. The Mahindra eXUV300 will compete directly with the country’s best-selling Tata Nexon EV. Previous reports have said the XUV300 electric will have a range of 375 km on a single charge. It is offered in two versions, with the standard version offering a range of around 200 km. The long-haul variant will have a range of 375 km, which is significantly higher than that of the Tata Nexon EV (claims 312 km on a single charge).
Based on the MESMA 350 (Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture 350) platform, the eXUV300 receives a specially developed 350-volt drive train that supports a wide range of electric motors with an output of 60 kW to 280 kW, twin-motor setups and batteries a capacity of up to 80 kWh.
The Mahindra eKUV100 micro-SUV will be launched in late 2021 or early 2022. He will be positioned against the upcoming Tata HBX EV. The Mahindra eKUV100 is expected to be the most affordable electric SUV in the country. It is powered by a 40 kW electric motor that generates 53 hp and 120 Nm of torque. The mini SUV has a 15.9 kWh lithium-ion battery that offers a range of 120 km when fully charged. Mahindra will offer the vehicle with both standard and quick charge options.
