I am looking to buy an EV. My monthly usage ranges from 500 km to 1,000 km, and my budget is under Rs. 15 lakh. Could you please suggest the best EV options for my requirements?

autocar.india

•8h

You won’t face issues in the NA + torque-converter Grand Vitara/Victoris in normal use, but the extra weight and the auto do blunt response, so with five on board or on steep hills it will feel lazy. The 1.5 petrol makes its torque higher up the revs, and the torque converter slips a bit at low speed, so the car needs a downshift and revs to move smartly. That is why city crawl and gentle cruising are smooth, but sudden gaps or uphill overtakes need a heavier right foot and some patience.Front-wheel drive is not a problem on tarmac. It will climb most ghats fine, but expect frequent downshifts and more engine noise when loaded or at altitude. Use the manual mode or S/L on climbs to hold a lower gear, and it feels stronger.The engine is built to take the load and will not show any abnormal signs of wear, in case that's a concern for you.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

autocar.india

•10h

Buy the Maruti Suzuki Fronx AMT Delta Plus for your mix of Bangalore traffic and quick getaways. It is easy to live with, fuel-efficient, and has a bigger boot than most small cars, so weekend bags fit with relative ease. The Fronx also sits a bit higher than conventional hatchbacks, and the extra ground clearance counts for a lot on speed breakers, potholes and bad patches.There are a few quirks. The AMT gets the job done in city driving, but does not offer the smoothest automatic gearbox experience. Also, Delta Plus skips a few nice-to-haves; if budget allows, the Zeta makes the cabin feel more complete.If you want a city-first alternative under Rs. 10 lakh, look at the Hyundai Exter AMT. It is smaller outside, just as easy in traffic, and generally feels smoother at low speeds while offering strong feature value at this price. You give up some rear-seat width and boot space, and it feels busier at 90-100 kph than the Fronx.

Maruti Suzuki Fronx

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•4d

Despite the mixed opinions surrounding electric cars in general, the Tata Punch EV has emerged as one of the most popular electric cars in the country and feels more sorted than many of Tata's other products. It offers strong performance, good space for a small SUV and low running costs.The reality is that at Rs 10-12 lakh, Tata is effectively your only choice if you want a mainstream EV, and the products themselves are fundamentally good. The bigger question is whether you're comfortable with the ownership experience and service network, which is where opinions tend to vary more than the cars themselves.If you're open to petrol power, the Skoda Kylaq Signature AT deserves serious consideration. It is a genuine driver's car with a smooth torque-converter automatic, strong safety credentials and enough space for a family of four. It also benefits from Skoda's improving service experience and avoids any uncertainty around charging infrastructure or battery technology.

Tata Punch EV

Skoda Kylaq