Cheapest electric car in India in 2024 - Price, features, specifications

Electric cars in India are witnessing a steady growth in sales in recent years. Car manufacturers are attempting to make electric cars more affordable, to offer a viable alternative to petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. Additionally, rising petrol and diesel prices and environmental concerns further bolster the case for a switch towards electric vehicles. While some concerns persist, like higher initial investment and the lack of widespread charging infrastructure in the country, the market trend is bullish. In recent years, India has seen growth in the adoption of EVs. Government initiatives, such as road tax and income tax rebates, have also led to a push towards electric vehicle adoption. We take a deep-dive into the cheapest electric cars in India.

List of cheapest electric cars in India

1. MG Comet EV - ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom)

The MG Comet EV is not your run-of-the-mill electric vehicle. It is MG’s first model in India that is not an SUV. Unabashedly boxy, the MG Comet has a distinctive and complex design that allows for admirably spacious interiors despite being the smallest electric car in India. The designers achieved this by discarding the two-box hatchback shape and instead creating a mono-volume shape (a concept where cabin and cargo areas are part of an uninterrupted space). This pure-electric vehicle is only 2.9 m long, 1.5 m wide, and 1.6 m high, making it easy to manoeuvre in city traffic and confined parking spots. Besides being the smallest, it is also the cheapest electric car in India, with a starting price of ₹6.9 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Quite unconventionally, the 4-seater MG Comet features only two doors, but a nifty flip and slide design on the front seats allows easy access to the rear. A wide array of high-quality LEDs – headlights, taillights, front and rear light bars, and the MG logo – gives the MG Comet a premium appearance. The MG Comet comes with two 10.25 inch high-resolution colour screens, one used for the infotainment touchscreen, while the other works as a driver’s instrument cluster.

The MG Comet uses a 17.3kWh prismatic cell lithium-ion battery pack to claim a range of 230 km on a single charge. The car uses a Type-2 AC fast charger but lacks DC fast charging. It can replenish the batteries from 10 to 80 percent charge in about 5 hours and reach full 100 per-cent charge in 7 hours. Overall, the MG Comet is an offbeat car that defies industry traditions both in looks and build, and has earned a reputation as a compact and cheap EV option.

MG Comet EV key specifications:

MG Comet EV key features:

• 2-door, four seat compact design
• Claims 230 km of range on a single charge
• MG Comet is the smallest EV in India

Also read : Hybrid Car Vs Electric Car : Benefits, Working & Types Explained

2. Tata Tiago EV - ₹7.9 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Tata Tiago EV was the cheapest electric car in India before the launch of the MG Comet EV. With a starting price of ₹7.9 lakh, this is Tata’s third offering, and its first hatchback, in the electric vehicle market after the Nexon and the Tigor sedan. The Tiago EV is available in two versions – the Medium Range (MR) and the Long Range (LR). The MR model is equipped with a 19.2 kWh battery that promises a range of 257 kms. The LR model uses a larger 24 kWh battery and claims a range of 315 kms. 

Both the exterior and interior of the Tiago EV retain some of the designs and features of the ICE version, with several new EV-specific additions like the black front grille displaying the “EV” badge, black and off-white interior themes and new buttons. The Tiago EV offers two drive modes - City and Sport. The City mode limits the torque, providing smooth acceleration and linear throttle response. The more adventurous Sport mode unlocks the full potential of the vehicle, providing a quicker acceleration and a maximum and optimum speed of 120 kmph. The Tiago EV can be charged from 10 per-cent to 80 per-cent in about 9 hours using a 15A charger. With fast DC charging, this could be done in an hour. Overall, the Tiago is an affordable EV, providing a competitive range on a single charge. 

Tata Tiago EV key specifications:

Tata Tiago EV key features:

• Standard 19.2 kWh and long range 24 kWh options
• DC fast charge can replenish battery energy from 10-80 per-cent in one hour
• Top speed of 120 kmph

Also Read : Electric Cars vs Diesel Cars - Which One Should You Choose?

3. Tata Punch EV - ₹10.9 lakh (ex-showroom)

In January 2024, Tata Motors consolidated its dominating presence in India’s EV market with the launch of the Tata Punch EV. Based on the ICE version of Punch, this compact SUV is an attractive option that falls somewhere between the top-ranging Nexon EV and the entry-level Tiago EV. The Tata Punch EV starts at ₹10.9 lakh (ex-showroom) and comes in two battery variants. The 25 kWh version delivers a range of 315 kms while the 35 kWh version has a range of 421 kms. The Punch EV comes with three drive modes -  City, Eco and Sport. 

The Tata Punch EV is the first EV to be built on Tata’s new re-engineered Acti.ev architecture. It has 190 mm of ground clearance, making it well-suited to both urban and rough roads. The Tata Punch EV comes with an exceptionally comfortable cabin, well-fitted with premium materials and an advanced infotainment system. 

Coming to charging, the Punch EV has an industry standard, single CCS2 charging port. It can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent within an hour using a DC fast charger.  

Tata Punch EV key specifications:

Tata Punch EV key features:

• Claims up to 421 kms of range on a single charge
• Offers three driving modes: City, Eco and Sport
• Has a ground clearance of 190 mm

Also Read : Top Benefits of Electric Cars You Should Know Of

4. Citroen E-C3 - ₹11.7 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Citroen E-C3 is quite identical in style to its ICE counterpart, the C3, both externally and internally. With a starting price of ₹11.7 lakh, the E-C3 is one of the cheapest electric cars in India. The EV comes with a 29.2 kWh battery and claims a range of 320 kms on a single charge. With a 15A charger, it takes about 10.5 hours to go from 10 percent to full charge, which is relatively slow. But with a DC fast charger, it can be fully charged within an hour. The car is also fitted with a large 10.2 inch touchscreen, four speakers and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An elegant exterior and a well-crafted spacious cabin makes the Citroen E-C3 an attractive and affordable option for Indians. 

Citroen E-C3 key specifications:

Citroen E-C3 key features:

•  29.2 kWh battery offers 320 kms of range
• Interior has a large 10.2 inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DC fast charge from 10-80 per-cent takes one hour

Also Read : Pros and Cons of Electric Cars

5. Tata Tigor EV - ₹12.5 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Tata Tigor EV is the only electric sedan that makes it to the list of cheapest electric cars in India. It has recently undergone a facelift and now comes with a 350V Ziptron EV system. The Tigor EV carries a 26kWh battery pack and has a claimed range of 315 kms. With a standard 15A charger, it takes 8 hours and 45 minutes to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent. However, with a fast DC charger, this can be achieved in an hour. 

The car is designed to be driven in the city, so it offers only a measured rate of acceleration. The Tata Tigor features a spacious cabin with enough headroom and legroom. One highlight of this car is that it retains the 4-star Global NCAP crash rating of its ICE version.

Tata Tigor EV key specifications:

Tata Tigor EV key features:

• 26kWh battery offers up to 315 kms of range
• 4-Star Global NCAP safety rating
• Takes one hour to charge from 10-80 per-cent with a DC fast charger

Electric car manufacturers in India:

• Hyundai
• Tata Motors
• Kia
• BYD
• MG
• Citroen
• Mercedes-Benz
• BMW
• Audi
• Jaguar
• Volvo

Electric car sales in India

The Indian EV industry is booming, and there are major players vying for a space in it. The market offers a plethora of choices to customers ranging from compact affordable EVs like the MG Comet to ultra-swanky rides like the Rolls-Royce Spectre EV. Tata Motors dominates the electric car market In India with a 67 per-cent share, with the Tata Punch EV being the best-selling electric car of Q1 2024.

An impressive cumulative total of 16,78,905 electric vehicles were sold between April 2023 and March 2024, with a record sales of 2,12,502 EVs in March alone. Over 94,000 electric cars were sold between March 2023 and February 2024. February 2024 recorded a sale of 7,118 electric cars, almost twice the number of cars sold in February 2023, showing an upward trend in EV adoption among the public. The total sale of electric cars is estimated to reach 4,30,603 by 2030. 

Conclusion

Indian customers are spoilt for choice when it comes to budget EVs. Besides our list of cheapest electric cars in India, there are more existing and upcoming electric vehicles available today. Sure, there are challenges, like developing charging infrastructure in the country. However, the increase in adoption of EV cars is an encouraging sign. Top Indian manufacturers like Tata Motors, MG Motor, Hyundai and Mahindra are leading this transition with their innovations to produce greener and more affordable electric cars. 

FAQ

Q. Which electric car in India is the best and cheapest?

The Tata Tiago EV held the title for the cheapest EV till the launch of MG Comet in India, which is currently the cheapest, starting at ₹6.9 lakh. 

Q. Which is the cheapest luxury electric car in India?

Currently, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the most affordable luxury electric car, starting at ₹45.9 lakh. 

Q. Is there any electric car in India which is under ₹5 lakh?
Currently, there are no electric vehicles on sale below ₹5 lakh in India. The cheapest EV is the MG Comet, starting at ₹6.9 lakh.

Q. Is EV better than petrol?

EVs have lower operating and maintenance costs, and even benefit the environment with lower tailpipe emissions. But they have limited range and charging infrastructure, require a longer time to charge, and also cost higher than their petrol counterparts. With further technological advancements, there is hope that these drawbacks will be minimised in the future.