5 Affordable Electric SUVs Launching Soon: Tata Sierra.EV To Honda Zero Alpha
Affordable electric SUVs are in good demand in India. Several carmakers are expected to launch new models into this segment in the coming months. Here are five such models- from sub-four metre electric SUVs to seven-seaters.
Tata Motors will launch the much-awaited Sierra.EV in India on June 30th. It will belong to the 4,3-metre electric SUV segment and compete primarily with the Creta Electric and Mahindra BE6.
The electric Sierra will have a recognizable design. Cues like the panoramic rear glass areas, flush-type door handles, and clamshell-type tailgate will all bind the design close to the internal combustion Sierra. The EV will, however, have differentiating design elements like a closed-off grille and aero-optimized wheels. Inside, the Sierra.EV will have a modern design and will use different colours and trims. It will share most of its features with the internal combustion model.
The Sierra.EV will likely be based on the Acti.EV+ platform. This generation 2 architecture is already on use in the Harrier.EV. Tata Motors hasn’t revealed the Sierra.EV’s battery sizes yet. 65kWh-75kWh units are likely. Both single-motor and dual-motor configurations will be available on the electric SUV. Higher trims will feature All Wheel Drive (AWD) system.
Kia is expected to launch the Syros EV in August this year. It will then become Kia’s smallest and most affordable EV here. The electric Syros will be based on the same K1 platform as the internal combustion model. Two battery packs are likely to be on offer- 42kWh and 49kWh. The vehicle is likely to have a front-wheel drive configuration. Further technical details remain under wraps.
On the design front, the Syros EV will stay close to the internal combustion model. It will have the same tall stance and clean exterior styling. An EV-specific front fascia, new bumpers, and aero-optimized wheels are expected on the EV. Inside, the electric version will get different trims and colours. The feature list will largely be shared with the internal combustion version. Additionally, vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging will be offered.
Hyundai is also developing a small electric SUV. Expected to be out in late 2026, this EV will have compact proportions and boxy styling. Internally called HE1i, this product is being developed specifically for the Indian market. It will have a longer wheelbase than the Instead sold overseas. The design will be different as well.
Underpinning this e-SUV will be Hyundai’s E-GMP (K) platform. Two battery packs- 42kWh and 49kWh- will be offered. Both will be locally sourced LFP units. The production-spec HE1i will have a high degree of localisation gone into it. The larger battery version will be capable of making 115hp and 147Nm.
Honda will launch the Zero Alpha (0 α) electric SUV in India in early 2027. It will be produced at Honda’s Tapukara plant in Rajasthan. The Zero Alpha has been designed and developed ground up, and is based on Honda’s new EV architecture. It is likely to be offered with two battery packs- 65kWh and 75kWh. The real-world range figures could be around 450km and 500km respectively.
The Zero Alpha e-SUV will have a unique exterior styling. It will come with connected LED DRLs, 19-inch wheels, connected LED tail lamps and more. Inside, it will have a flat floor cabin, hexagonal steering wheel and a slew of other features. Ex-showroom prices are likely to fall between Rs 17 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
Tata Motors is working on an electric version of the Safari. Expected around the festive season this year, it will be based on the same Acti.EV+ platform as the Harrier.EV. It will likely use the same battery packs as well- 65kWh and 75kWh. The Safari.EV will be Tata’s first ever three-row electric SUV and will compete primarily with the Mahindra XEV 9S.