I have a budget of ₹18 lakh and an average daily commute of around 75 km. I am planning to buy an electric car - what are the best EV options available in this price range?

Autocar India

•1d

Of the models on sale today, Rs 20 lakh and 300km are an intersection that very few electric cars meet. Your two strongest options are the MG Windsor Pro and the Tata Curvv EV LR, both of which have their pros and cons.The MG Windsor offers a more spacious and airy interior, with soft and plush rear seats and easy ingress and egress, which should be beneficial for your parents. It's also got a very smooth and refined powertrain, although downsides include a slightly firm suspension and the fact that MG's network isn't quite as wide as other brands.The Tata Curvv's swooping roof and high ground clearance mean getting in and out is not as easy, but once you're in the car, space is ample. Quality is not as good as in the MG, and though silent and strong, the powertrain is not as smooth. It has better ride quality and a longer list of features than the MG, though, while it has a wider service network, it doesn't have the best reputation for its after-sales quality. Test drive both, ideally with your parents, and see which one they prefer to sit in the back of.If you can stretch your budget by 2-3 lakh, two even better options are the Hyundai Creta Electric and Kia Carens Clavis EV. Their range is comfortably more than the Windsor Pro or Curvv EV, and they offer far better ride quality and rear seat comfort. The Kia, being an MPV, also offers easier entry and exit for the elderly.While VW-Skoda will eventually bring out EVs for India, likely in 2027, they will be far above this budget, positioned in the Rs 50 lakh plus range. Honda's EV is due to go on sale later this year and will be a rival to the EVs we have highlighted above. If you don't mind waiting, it could be an interesting proposition, though little is known about its specifications or price at this time.

Tata Curvv EV

MG Windsor

Hyundai Creta Electric

Kia Carens Clavis EV

Autocar India

•2d

Pick the Tata Nexon EV 45kWh. For a Chennai city car, it rides over broken roads better than most, slips into tight parking spaces, and still delivers over 300km on a single charge. You already have the Ciaz for highway duties, so the Nexon EV’s size, light steering and good visibility make daily client visits and airport runs stress-free.For long-term ownership, Tata’s EV footprint is the widest in India today, with parts and service support across most cities, and the 8-year/1.6 lakh km battery warranty aligns well with your 7-9 year ownership plan. The battery chemistry also handles heat well, which matters in Chennai. Running costs remain low, and strong demand should help resale values compared to many other EVs.The Punch EV and Tiago EV are good options too, but they will fall well short of your requirement of 300km-plus on a single charge. The MG Windsor EV is worth considering if you want a more spacious cabin, though its real-world range is not as strong as the Nexon EV’s.One honest niggle: Tata’s service quality can be inconsistent, so make sure you choose a good dealer with a strong reputation.

Tata Nexon EV

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV

MG Windsor

Autocar India

•2h

Pick the Tata Sierra petrol. Your daily 20 km and rare highway runs do not justify the extra price and charging fuss of an electric car, and you already flagged rear space as a concern. The Sierra feels roomier and comfier in the back than the Renault Duster you tried.You enjoyed the Duster’s drive, and rightly so, as it feels more eager and easier to throw around. But for quarterly highway trips and family comfort, the Sierra’s wider cabin and more relaxed ride suit your upgrade better. With 8,000 km a year, the fuel savings from an EV will take a long time to catch up; unless you have easy home charging and plan to keep it for many years, petrol is the simpler, lower‑risk choice.One trade-off is that the Sierra will cost more and won’t feel as engaging to drive as the Duster. If you mostly drive with just one passenger and love that driving feel, the Duster still tempts, but for space and ease, the Sierra wins.

Tata Sierra

Renault Duster