With 58 percent market share, the Tata Nexon EV holds the top spot in the list of India’s top-selling electric cars. The automaker sold over 3,600 units of the electric SUV between April and September 2021. In order to challenge its dominance, car manufacturers such as Mahindra, Hyundai, MG and Kia are planning to launch new models in coming years. Here’s a brief on the upcoming Tata Nexon EV rivals.
MG Electric SUV
MG India has confirmed that the company will introduce its second electric car by the next fiscal year. The automaker’s new electric car will be priced between Rs 10 lakh – Rs 15 lakh. In this price range, it will directly take on the Nexon EV that costs from Rs 13.99 lakh – Rs 16.85 lakh (all, ex-showroom). The model will carry crossover-ish stance and underpin a global platform. It will be designed and developed especially for the emerging markets including India. The company aims to use lots of localized components for its upcoming electric car including battery and electric motors.
Mahindra eXUV300
Mahindra & Mahindra showcased the electric version of the XUV300 subcompact SUV at the 2020 Auto Expo. Called the Mahindra eXUV300, the model is reported to hit roads sometime in 2023 (possibly in the second half). It will be the brand’s first production car to underpin the MESMA (Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture) platform. The electric subcompact SUV will come with the 350V and 380V powertrain options. While the standard range variant will take on the Tata Nexon EV, the long-range model will face challenge from the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona EV.
Hyundai Small EV
The South Korean automaker recently announced that it will launch 6 new battery electric vehicles in India by 2028. All these EVs will be based on the brand’s dedicated BEV platform (E-GMP) featuring a flat floor, slim cockpit and a flexible and spacious cabin. The company will make an investment of around Rs 4000 crore for R&D for its EV expansion plan. While there is no official information on the upcoming Hyundai small electric car, it’s likely to be based on the Venue subcompact SUV. Its launch might happen sometime in 2024.
Kia Small EV
Kia is ready to introduce its first electric car in India in 2022 – Kia EV6. The company will further expand its electric vehicle product portfolio with the Kia e-Niro and a Made-in-India small electric SUV. The latter could be based on the Kia Sonet and placed against the Tata Nexon EV. It’s reported to be designed on a low-cost skateboard platform and have small battery packs. The Kia electric SUV range is expected to be around 200km – 220km. The model might see a release sometime in 2024.
