With fuel prices rising and people preferring to “Go Green”, there is an increase in demand for electric vehicles. The push for electric vehicles is motivated by the global climate agenda established by the Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions in order to limit global warming (EVs).

Governments providing subsidies on electric vehicles make them more affordable to the general public, hence encouraging them to shift to a greener alternative.

Electric vehicles use electric motors to drive them, which are powered by rechargeable batteries which makes their use environmentally benign as there are no emissions. They become even more sustainable and eco-friendly when powered by renewable energy sources like solar panels.

Additionally, electric vehicles make no noise, are easy to drive, have low running costs and have zero exhaust emission.

Here are the Top 9 Affordable Electric cars in India

1. Tata Tiago EV

If you favour electric cars with respectable gas mileage and reasonable up-front expenditures, Tata’s Tiago EV is one of the more popular models.

The price for the Tata Tiago EV ranges from 8.49 lakh to 11.79 lakh (Avg. ex-showroom). There are 7 variations of the Tiago EV. The cost of the Tiago EV base model in electric is 8.49 Lakh. While the starting price for the Tiago EV automatic version is Rs. 8.49 lakh.

Specifications:

• 3-phase induction motor
• 130kms of driving range
• 90 minutes of charging time

2. Mahindra eKUV100

Mahindra eKUV100 is another “Made In India” electric vehicle to be launched at an affordable price ofRs.8.25 Lakh. What is notable is the upgraded motor’s increased horsepower and the quick charging time of only 55 minutes.

Specifications:

• Induction motor
• 9 lakh rupees is the price ceiling
• 140kms of driving range
• Normal charging takes up to 8 hours

3. Tata Altroz EV

If you can stretch your budget, Tata Altroz EV is a good option because it is anticipated to cost between 11 and 13 lakhs. Tata has revealed the third electric vehicle, the Tata Altroz, following the Nexon EV and TIGOR EV. This car will look like a hatchback and have a similar powertrain to the Nexon EV.

Specifications:

• 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery
• 1 hour to charge from 0% to 80% with DC fast charging
• 250-300 Km/charge

4. Renault KWID EV

The entry-level Renault Kwid hatchback will soon be offered exclusively in electric form. When it is released, the EV Kwid will face competition from vehicles like the planned Tata Tiago EV. Renault’s first electric vehicle for the Indian market will be the Kwid EV in 2022. Style-wise, the Electric Kwid won’t look all that different from the current-generation vehicle. Expect only minor cosmetic adjustments to the bodyshell to distinguish it as an electric vehicle. The running current-generation model’s chassis and design will be used again for the Kwid EV. The sleek and small design of this electric car under 10 lakh rupees in India is its most encouraging feature.

Specifications:

• Mileage of almost 370kms per charge, depending on usage
• 4 hours of AC charging time
• 40 minutes of DC charging time via fast charging
• Synchronous motor is included

5. KIA Soul EV

The Kia Soul EV, the company’s first electric vehicle, debuted at the 2020 Auto Expo and is slated to go on sale in India. One of the most well-liked Kia vehicles, particularly in the North American market, is the Soul. Speaking of its electric form, the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Soul EV have similar foundations, making it simpler to introduce the vehicle to the Indian market. The front of the Kia Soul EV, which sports a boxy design and Kia’s distinctive tiger-nose grille, also holds the charging outlet. Additionally, the front has dual-barrel projector headlamps that are upswept and wrapped around. It is expected to launch with a price tag of Rs. 10 lakh.

Specifications:

• 75 minutes of charging time
• 350kms of range
• Features one synchronous motor

6. Haima Bird EV1

Chinese automaker Haima Motors has already displayed three of its forthcoming vehicles at an Auto Expo 2020 event. The Haima EV1 EV, which is marketed as the Aishang EV 360 in China, is the most pertinent among them and is intended to be a cost-effective, long-range electric car. The Haima EV1’s basic design with its upright stance and straight lines makes it seem archaic, but Bird Electric, the carmaker’s partner in India, has promised that the model made specifically for that country will look very different. The tallboy form of Haima’s EV1 tiny city car helps to release the most inside space within a constrained physical footprint.On Indian roads, this hatchback will cost Rs. 10 lakh.

Specifications:

• 75 minutes of charging time
• 200 km/Charge
• 30KW/ 95N.m/150N.m of torque
• Charging time is 9-11 hrs

 7. Mahindra E20 nxt

With slight aesthetic changes and extra equipment promised, the Mahindra e20 NXT is essentially a facelifted version of the Mahindra e20 EV. Mahindra debuted the e2o NXT at the 2018 Auto Expo. Later in 2022, the electric vehicle will be made available. It is anticipated that the e20 NXT would sport a hatchback body type. Mahindra will retain the four-door design of the current model, thus outward alterations will be minimal. Mahindra e20 NXT is anticipated to cost between 7 and 10 lakh.

Specifications:

• 0-80% in around 90 minutes with a fast charger.
• 140 Km/Charge
• Top speed of 80 km/h.
• Torque of 91Nm at 2,000rpm 

8. ORA R1

The R1 electric vehicle is built on the ME pure-electric platform from the business. Powered with a 33kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 33kW electric motor, it is built on the same neo-retro city vehicle platform as the Honda e.

Prices for the R1 begin at CNY 59,800 in China (Rs 6.15 lakh). Although Great Wall Motor has previously declared it will take over General Motors’ Talegaon facility for its India operations, it is unclear how the Chinese automaker plans to make the R1 as affordable in the Indian market.

Specifications:

• 28.5kWh battery pack
• 300 Km/Charge
• Develops 48PS of power and 125Nm of torque.

9. Tata Tigor EV

One of the cost-effective electric sedans in India is the Tata Tigor EV. With a 4-Star GNCAP rating, quick charging, a large range, and other features, it is the safest electric sedan available. The Tigor EV is also more reasonably priced than the Nexon EV, with pricing ranging from Rs 12.5 lakh to little over Rs 13 lakh. And it would take some time before we could see an EV that was smaller and more inexpensive than this on Indian roads.

Specifications:

• 60 minutes (Fast Charging)
• 306 kms/charge
• Permanent magnet synchronous motor
• 26kWh lithium-ion battery pack produces 75hp and 170Nm torque

Now that you have gone through the list of vehicles that are available in the Indian market. Here is the comparison of all the cars in terms of range, top speed and expected price to help you make an effective decision.

S.No	Car Name	Riding Range	Top Speed	Expected Price
1	Tata Tiago EV	100-130 kms	135 kmph	Rs. 10.0-15.0 lakhs
2	Mahindra eKUV100	120-140 kms	75 kmph	Rs. 8.0-9.0 lakhs
3	Tata Altroz EV	250-300 kms	120 kmph	Rs. 12.0-15.0 lakhs
4	Renault Kwid EV	250-370 kms	105 kmph	Rs. 5.0-7.0 lakhs
5	Kia Soul EV	250-350 kms	145 kmph	Rs. 12.0-15.0 lakhs
6	Haima Bird EV1	200-300 kms	120 kmph	Rs. 9.0-12.0 lakhs
7	Mahindra E20 nxt	140kms	80kmph	Rs. 7.0-10 lakhs
8	Ora R1 Electric Car	300-350 kms	102 kmph	Rs. 6.3-8.5 lakhs
9	Tata Tigor EV 2021	306 kms	120 kmph	Rs. 11.99-13.14 lakhs

Happy Motoring!