A lot of people want to buy electric cars. However, currently there are only a handful of affordable EVs in the market. As a result, the rate of EV adoption in India is not as high as it could be. So, to solve this problem, a number of major automakers have lined up their new and affordable electric cars for India. So, without any more wastage of your time, here are the details of 7 upcoming affordable EVs.
Currently, the Tata Tiago.ev is one of the most affordable and practical electric hatchbacks in India. However, the Tiago.ev is now in need of a major facelift, and Tata Motors has already started working on the facelifted version of this hatchback. Over the last few months, multiple heavily camouflaged test mules of the updated Tiago.ev have been spotted testing on public roads.
It has now been reported that the biggest update on the new Tiago.ev will be its battery packs. Tata Motors is expected to discontinue the smaller 19 kWh battery pack completely. And the current 24 kWh battery pack will become the new standard option. Meanwhile, a bigger 30 kWh battery pack will be introduced as a longer-range option. This larger battery pack is expected to offer a claimed range of around 366 km on a single charge.
For reference, the current 19 kWh battery offers 223 km range. On the other hand, the 24 kWh battery offers 293 km. Reports have suggested that Tata Motors will use new prismatic battery cells sourced from Gotion. These cells will be more energy-dense compared to the cylindrical cells currently being used.
Apart from the batteries, the updated Tiago.ev is also expected to get Tata’s new 6-in-1 i-drive motor setup, which is already seen on the Punch.ev. This setup combines multiple components into one compact unit. With this new motor, the power figures are expected to increase to around 80 to 88 PS and 140 Nm torque. In comparison, the current Tiago.ev produces between 60 to 74 PS and 110 to 114 Nm torque, depending on the variant.
The facelifted Tiago.ev will also support faster DC charging speeds above 50 kW, helping reduce charging times. On the outside, the EV hatchback is expected to get a redesigned front fascia with slimmer headlamps, a revised bumper, new alloy wheels, and updated LED tail lamps.
On the inside, the updates of the Tiago.ev will include a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, touch-based AC controls, a wireless charger, a 360-degree camera, a sunroof, and rear AC vents. It is also likely to get six airbags, ESC, TPMS, Hill Start Assist, and other safety features.
The Vietnamese electric car manufacturer VinFast is gearing up to launch its most affordable electric offering in India. It will be the VF3 micro SUV-style hatchback. This EV will be aimed at buyers living in congested major cities and first-time EV buyers who want a very practical and affordable city-commuting EV.
In terms of the design, the VinFast VF3 will boast a boxy and upright SUV-inspired design. It will be slightly larger than the MG Comet EV and offer a 191 mm ground clearance. The VF3 will feature a 2-door and 4-seater layout. Coming to the powertrain side of things, internationally, the VF3 is offered with different battery pack options.
Some reports have suggested that the India-spec model could get an 18.64 kWh battery pack, which will offer around 210 km range. There are also larger 29.6 kWh and 37.2 kWh battery packs, which are also available with claimed range going up to 326 km.
The electric motor offered in the internationally sold VF3 produces around 43 bhp and 110 Nm torque. Inside the cabin, the VF3 is expected to offer basic features, including a touchscreen, an air conditioning system, power windows, and some other creature comfort features. VinFast is expected to launch the VF3 in India by the end of this year, with the price in the range of Rs 8 to 10 lakh.
Apart from the VF3, VinFast will also be launching the VF5 electric SUV in India. This model will be positioned above the VF3 and under the VF6. Its main rivals in India will be Tata Nexon.ev and Mahindra XUV 3XO EV. Dimensionally, the VF5 will measure 3,967 mm in length, 1,723 mm in width, and 1,579 mm in height.
It will boast a wheelbase of 2,514 mm and offer a ground clearance of 169 mm. In terms of styling, it will look like a baby version of its larger VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs sold globally. The VF5 will also get the signature V-shaped LED DRLs, flared wheel arches, 17-inch alloy wheels, and a bulbous SUV-like silhouette.
As for the battery pack options, internationally, it is offered with two battery packs. The first is a 29.6 kWh unit with 268 km range, and the other is a 37.23 kWh battery with 326 km range. Both versions are expected to come to India.
It will also come loaded with features, including a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a PM 2.5 air filter, keyless entry, auto headlights, voice commands, and a sunroof. VinFast is expected to launch the VF5 in India by late 2026 or early 2027, with pricing in the range of Rs 10 to 15 lakh.
Citroen is also preparing to reintroduce the base-spec Live variant of the eC3 electric hatchback in India. The biggest reason behind Citroen’s decision to bring back this variant is Tata Motors’ Battery-as-a-Service model for the Punch.ev. Tata Motors, with BaaS, has reduced the upfront price of the Punch.ev, which has reduced the sales of eC3.
So, instead of adopting the battery subscription model, Citroen has decided to bring back the entry-level variant to reduce costs. The eC3 Live variant is expected to be priced around Rs 10.30 lakh and will sit below the current Feel variant.
The base-spec model will feature 15-inch steel wheels, body-coloured ORVMs, front power windows, a digital instrument cluster, reverse parking sensors, a regen indicator, and connected car features. Mechanically, it will continue to offer the same 29.2 kWh air-cooled LFP battery pack paired with a 57 bhp and 143 Nm electric motor. Citroen is also expected to update the higher Feel and Shine variants to bring them in line with the ICE C3X design updates.
JSW MG Motor is gearing up to introduce the Wuling Binguo EV-based hatchback in India. Once launched, it will directly rival the Tata Tiago.ev. The Binguo EV hatchback will boast a premium dual-tone design with rounded styling elements. It will feature Tesla-like LED headlamps, a black roof, and premium-looking wheel covers.
On the inside, its cabin layout is modern and minimalistic, with a floating touchscreen infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster. Internationally, this hatchback is available with multiple battery and motor options. The base version gets a 17.3 kWh battery pack with a 30 kW motor offering a 203 km range. Meanwhile, higher variants get a 31.9 kWh battery with 333 km range, and a 37.9 kWh battery offers up to 410 km range. The Binguo EV hatchback is expected to be priced between Rs 8 to 11 lakh in India and will be launched by the end of this year or by early 2027.
The last affordable EV on this list is Hyundai's upcoming mystery SUV. Over the last few months, a number of test mules of this new Hyundai EV SUV have been spotted testing on public roads. This SUV will be inspired by the Hyundai Inster EV sold internationally. In India, it is expected to rival the Tata Punch.ev and Citroen eC3.
The upcoming Hyundai EV SUV will feature a boxy and upright design with large windows, roof rails, and a closed-off grille. Its spy shots have also revealed a Morse-code-inspired four-dot lighting element on the front, along with Inster-inspired LED DRLs and low-mounted headlamps. The rear will also get dotted LED tail lamps connected by a light bar.
The cabin is expected to come loaded with features and premium materials, including leatherette upholstery, a large touchscreen infotainment system, a digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, a powered driver seat, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera, and Level 2 ADAS.
Hyundai is expected to offer this SUV with two battery pack options, namely 42 kWh and 49 kWh. The larger battery pack is expected to deliver around 400 km range. It will also support DC fast charging. The launch is expected sometime in late 2026 or early 2027, and it will be priced in the range of Rs 10 to 15 lakh.
THe Chinese EV maker BYD is also gearing up to the launch of its compact electric hatchback the Dolphin EV in India. This entry level model is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 10 to 12 lakh. It will be built on the e-Platform 3.0 and will come powered by BYD's Blade Battery technology.
It is believed that the BYD Dolphin in India will be offered with 32 kWh to 45 kWh battery pack options with a maximum range of 420 km. In terms of features it is expected to get a rotatable touchscreen console, a digital instrument cluster, ADAS Level 2, 360-degree camera and many others.