The Indian automotive industry witnessed a stronger adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over fiscal year 2020 – 2023. The EV segment registered an average annual growth rate of 26 per cent. The high fuel prices and attractive incentives announced by Indian government are the major reason behind the EV surge. Aiming to cash in the growing market, several car manufacturers have planned new electric cars that will see release in coming months. Here’s a brief on the top 5 upcoming new electric cars, which are ready to hit roads in 2022.
1. Tesla Model 3
The American auto giant, Tesla is ready to enter into Indian market with the Model 3 electric sedan. It’s the most affordable Tesla in the company’s product line. Here, the EV will be imported via CBU route from the carmaker’s Shanghai based Gigafactory and is estimated to cost around Rs 60 lakh. Globally, it’s offered with Single and Dual motor options. Its entry-level Standard Range Plus variant offers a range of 423km and the Long Range AWD model returns a range of 568km on a single charge.
2. Tata Altroz EV
The Tata Altroz EV is certainly one of the much-awaited electric vehicle launches of the next year. The hatchback will feature the brand’s Ziptron electric powertrain that does duty in the Nexon EV. If reports are to be believed, the Altroz’s electric version will have an additional battery pack that’s likely to increase its range by 25-40%. It might offer a range of around 500km. The electric hatch could also be equipped with the new ZConnect app with 35 connected car features.
3. Mahindra e-XUV300
Mahindra & Mahindra confirmed that it will bring in the electric iteration of the XUV300 subcompact SUV in 2022. The model will be offered in Standard and Long Range variants delivering range of around 200k and 375km on a single charge respectively. That means, the electric range of the Mahindra e-XUV300 will be higher than the Tata Nexon. It will be designed on MESMA platform and feature a 350V powertrain with electric motors ranging from 60kW to 280kW output, batteries with capacity of up to 80kWh.
4. Updated Hyundai Kona
Hyundai unveiled the updated Kona electric SUV in November 2020 and its launch is expected to happen early next year. The facelift model receives noticeable changes inside and out along with a few mechanical upgrades. The 2022 Hyundai Kona offers shift-by-wire system and smart adjustable regenerative braking system. Its long range variant comes with a 64kWh battery with 204PS electric motor and the standard model gets a 39.2kWh battery pack with an electric motor. While the former is claimed to deliver a class-leading range of 484km, the latter one offers a range up to 305km.
5. Mercedes EQS
After the EQC, the German luxury automaker will bring in the Mercedes-Benz EQS electric car sometime early next year. While its RWD EQS 450 variant has a rear-mounted asynchronous electric motor (334bhp/458Nm), the top-spec EQS 580 carries a motor on each axle delivering power worth 523bhp against 856Nm. Both models have an electronic speed limit of 210kmph. The smaller capacity variant can do 0 to 100kmph in 6.2 seconds and the bigger capacity model is capable to do the same in 4.3 seconds.
