The sources of ET Now have revealed that Tata Motors and MG Motor are working on affordable electric vehicles for the Indian market. Currently, the most affordable electric vehicle that you can get in the Indian market is the Tata Tigor EV which starts from Rs. 11.99 lakhs ex-showroom. Both the manufacturers are working on launching their electric vehicles around Rs. 8 lakh mark.
Tata Motors is already leading the market when it comes to electric vehicles. They are trying to launch a cost effective electric vehicle that would be priced within Rs. 8 lakh mark. The new upcoming vehicle has been codenamed “Challenger Series”.
ET Now says that it will be a hatchback so it can either be the electric version of the Tiago or the Punch. It does make more sense for Tata Motors to make a Punch EV because everyone has loved the design of the Punch and it is based on the ALFA platform which can be modified to electrified more easily. The manufacturer is expected to launch the new affordable electric hatchback in 2024.
Then there is MG Motor who is also looking to enter the market of affordable electric vehicles. ET Now says that they are also working on launching an electric hatchback. This however, would be an all-new product because MG does not have a hatchback in the Indian market. MG Motor is currently looking for funding options to start working on the new project. As of now, they only have the ZS EV which is quite expensive because it starts at Rs. 21.99 lakhs ex-showroom.
Both the vehicles will be mainly made for city use only. So, it won’t have a very long range but it should be enough for a person to perform its office commutes and daily chores.
Other upcoming Tata’s electric vehicles
Tata Motors is currently testing the long-range version of the Nexon EV. It will come with a 40 kWh battery pack, it will be sold alongside the current 30.2 kWh battery pack. The new version will come with rear disc brakes, adjustable brake regenerations and Electronic Stability Control.
Then there is the Blackbird EV which is a new mid-size SUV that Tata is working on. It will be a Nexon’s coupe version and will be based on X1 platform. The media reports have also revealed that Tata Motors has greenlit Sierra EV. They showcased the Sierra EV Concept at the Auto Expo 2020. The new electric SUV will be based on Sigma platform and will be launched in 2025.
Upcoming MG’s compact SUV
MG is also working on a new electric crossover which will be quite affordable when compared to the ZS EV. It will be a direct competitor to the Tata Nexon EV. MG said, “We have been very pleased with our electric vehicle product performance till now. We intend to launch more electric cars in the future and hopefully, we can look at a car below Rs 20 lakh as our second EV in the future. We are not defining the timelines now due to the COVID situation and shortages of essential materials, especially chips. So hopefully in two years, we can do it.”
Keyword: Tata Motors & MG Motor independently working on affordable electric vehicles: Prices to start from Rs. 8 lakh