The Auto Episode
- Sep 24, 2021
- 6 min read

Race for the EV Crown

The EV war in India is being fought in three segments with their own competitors uninterested about other segments.

In the Lower segment, it is Tata vs Mahindra

In the Mid segment, it is MG vs Hyundai

In the top end segment, it is Audi, Mercedes Benz, BMW vs Jaguar - the usual suspects

Let's go through each EV’s strengths and evaluate who gets the crown in the segment.

The Lower Segment

Coming with two models in the EV segment,

we have Tata Motors with Tata Tigor & Tata Nexon

Competing with Tata Motors, we have Mahindra’s eVerito

Tata Tigor EV

Starting at 11.99 lakhs ex-showroom, Tata’s Tigor is 3,993 x 1,677 x 1,537 (LxWxH) powered by Ziptron technology, it can achieve 0-60 km/hr in 5.7 seconds with a 306 km range in a single charge.

Charging from 0-80% in 60 minutes, it is offered in four models. With projector headlamps and DRLs, Tigor EV comes with a 8 year/1,60,000 kms warranty.

Tata Nexon EV

Starting at 13.99 lakhs ex-showroom, Tata’s Nexon is 3,993 x 1,811 x 1,606 (LxWxH) powered by Ziptron technology, it can achieve 0-100 km/hr in 9.9 seconds with a 312 km range in a single charge.

Charging from 0-80% in 60 minutes, it is offered in three models plus two models under dark edition. With sunroof, rain sensing vipers, auto headlamps, DRLs and infotainment by Harman, Tata has given the car everything with a 8 year/1,60,000 kms warranty.

Mahindra eVerito

Starting at 10.11 lakhs ex-showroom, Mahindra’s eVerito is 4,247 x 1,740 x 1,540 (LxWxH) and can achieve 0-60 km/hr in 11.2 seconds with a 181 km range in a single charge.

Charging from 0-80% in 1 hour 30 minutes, it is offered in D2 & D6 variant. Priding on the first EV Sedan in India, it comes with a warranty of 3 years or 1,25,000 kms.

The EV crown for the Lower Segment

With 312 kms, Tata Nexon has the maximum range.

Charging 0-80%, Tata Nexon & Tata Tigor tie up.

From 0-100 in 9.9 seconds, Tata Nexon is the fastest.

With a warranty of 8 years/1,60,000 kms, Tata Nexon and Tata Tigor tie up again.

Competing with its own models, and loaded with features Tata Nexon EV wins the crown in the lower segment.

The Mid Segment

In the Mid Segment, we have MG’s ZS EV with its 44kWh battery and Internet Inside.

Competing with MG’s ZS EV, we have Hyundai’s Kona with its 39.2 kWh 327 V lithium polymer battery.

MG ZS EV

Starting at 20.99 lakhs, MG ZS EV changes the game in affordable electric vehicles. Measuring 4,314 x 1,809 x 1,644 (LxWxH), it reaches 0-100 km/hr in 8.5 seconds producing a power of 142.57 PS. With a driving range of 419 kms, the MG ZS EV introduces luxury to EVs.

It brings a PM 2.5 air filter with first in segment rain sensing wipers and dual pane panoramic sunroof. From electronic gearshift knob to Kinetic Energy Recovery System, the MG ZS EV comes fully loaded.

The car comes with a breathable glow MG logo, LED DRLs, projector headlamps and R17 dual toned alloys. With a silver finish on the roof, the car stands out.

Charging from 0-80% in 40 minutes, it is offered in Exclusive & Excite variant. With internet inside, it comes with a warranty of 5 years with no limit on kms.

Hyundai Kona

Starting at 23.8 lakhs, Hyundai Kona is India’s first all-electric SUV measuring 4,180 x 1,800 x 1,570 (LxWxH) producing a power of 134.14 bhp reaching 0-100 km/hr in 9.7 seconds all while giving a driving range of 452 kms in a single charge.

Shift-by-wire automatic transmission, electronic parking brake, front ventilated seats, driver-only air conditioning and sunroof, the Hyundai Kona has them all bringing new features in the world of EVs.

With a closed front grille, LED DRLs and split type LED headlamps paired with R17 alloys, Hyundai Kona mixes up bold with sleek.

Charging from 0-80% in 54 minutes, it is offered in Premium & Premium Dual Tone variant. With metal pedals and a 7” touchscreen, Hyundai Kona comes with a warranty of 8 years or 1,60,000 kms.

The Mid Segment Crown

With a range of 452 kms, Hyundai Kona drives further.

Generating more power at 142.57 bhp, MG ZS EV is stronger.

From 0-100 km/hr in 8.5 seconds, MG ZS EV is faster.

Charging from 0-80% in 40 minutes, MG wins again.

With Hyundai Kona offering warranty of 8 years but with a limitation of 1,60,000 kms while MG ZS EV offering 5 years and no limit on kms, they have their own perks depending on personal usage.

All in all, MG ZS EV beats Kona with a strong margin forcing Hyundai to stop producing Kona for the domestic market and shifting its focus on Ioniq 5 EVs for the Indian market.

The Top End Segment

We have the usual suspects in the Luxury segment

Mercedes with its EQC

Audi with its e-tron

Jaguar with its

I-PACE

BMW with its i3

Mercedes-Benz EQC

Priced at 99.30 lakhs, the Mercedes-Benz EQC defines luxury to electric. Being the most premium electric SUV in the market, packed up with the comforts of a Mercedes, this EV attracts those going for EV and also, those who just want a Mercedes least caring about it being green.

Electric, Now has a Mercedes

The SUV is 4,762 x 1,884 x 1,624 (LxWxH), with all luxuries the name Mercedes carries with eye catching LED luminescent band in the front as well as rear, a gorgeous widescreen cockpit, a 360 degree parking camera with the support of PARKTRONIC, MULTIBEAM LED paired with BURMESTER sound system, AR navigation and personalised arrangeable display settings among other things.

With a range of 414 kms from its 80 kWh 405 V lithium-ion battery, producing 408 bhp reaches 0-100 km/hr in 5.1 seconds all the while remaining almost silent. It charges from 0-80% in almost 30 minutes.

Audi etron

Starting at 99.99 lakhs, the Audi etron does not disappoint. Bringing luxury to the EV sector, Audi etron makes heads turn.

Help to shape the future

Audi etron

Charging 80% in 30 mins, it houses a 95 kWh battery with a driving range of 484 kms and generating 408 bhp achieving 0-100 km/hr in 5.7 seconds. The etron is indeed elegantly electric.

Audi’s first purely electric SUV is 4,901 x 1,935 x 1,616 (LxWxH) with a state of the art cockpit and the air suspension that adjust the height of the vehicle according to speed and the driver’s request. With digital matrix LED headlights to panoramic sunroof, the etron has them all. It comes with front and back external acoustic speakers to keep the pedestrians safe as it is completely silent.

Jaguar I-PACE

The Jaguar I-PACE brings all the features of Jaguar into its EV world. Setting the benchmark for future EVs in JLR, Jaguar EV comes fully loaded.

Time to change.

Time to remain resolutely Jaguar.

Jaguar’s first electric SUV is 4,682 x 1,895 x 1,566 (LxWxH) loaded with a panoramic sun roof, floating centre console and acoustic laminated glass. With sports designed seats, Jaguar merges the worlds of sports, luxury and electric.

I-PACE’s 90 kWh 388 V Lithium ion battery charges from 0-80% in 1 hour 15 minutes producing a power of 294 kW achieving 0-100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds with a range of 470 kms in a single charge.

BMW i3

BMW discontinued its i8 in India to make room to compete with the other usual suspects with its i3. Although, the i8 has not been launched yet in India, the estimated price is expected to be 1 crore (ex-showroom).

Electrifying Inspiration

The BMW i3 has all the usual features that are expected with the name including connected eDrive with remote services, heated/ventilated seats, keyless entry with handsfree trunk opening, rain sensing vipers, tyre pressure monitor etc. What stands out is Advanced Vehicle & Key Memory remembers most recently used climate-control temperature, air-distribution settings, exterior mirror settings, audio tone settings and radio presets along with central-locking preferences.

The Luxury EV crown

With, 0-100 km/hr in 4.8 seconds, Jaguar is fastest

With a 408 bhp each, we have the EQC and etron

With a 484 kms range, the etron has the maximum range.

Charging in 0-80% 30 mins, the i3, EQC and etron stand tied.

Conclusion : While all of them excel in something or the other, providing a variety of luxury features, suspensions, entertainment systems and technologies, the Audi etron wins the maximum categories beating the others with a very close margin.