Autocar India
2d

Hi Autocar, My budget is Rs. 15 lakh on-road. My daily commute is currently around 10 km, but from next year it will increase to around 40 km in Pune. I am considering an EV, and I stay in a rented apartment with EV charging facilities. My current choice is the Tata Punch EV Empowered variant. Would you recommend the Punch EV, or are there any other EVs in this budget that would be a better option for my requirements?

Verified
8m

With a Rs 15 lakh on-road budget, a daily commute that will soon increase to 40km and access to EV charging at your rented apartment, the Tata Punch EV Empowered is a very sensible choice. This Tata car is one of the most affordable EVs in the market, and with a 40km daily commute, the running cost savings over petrol will add up quickly. The car is also compact and easy to drive in city traffic, while still offering a comfortable ride and a decent feature set.

The only thing to consider is your long-term usage pattern. If your commute is mostly city driving and you have reliable charging at home, the Punch EV makes a lot of sense. However, if you expect to do frequent long-distance highway trips, you will need to plan charging stops, and the Punch EV's range will require a bit more planning compared to larger EVs.

Overall, given your budget, usage and charging situation, the Punch EV Empowered is a strong recommendation. If you want to consider an alternative, the Kia Syros EV is worth a look at and will offer you a more spacious interior too, but higher variants will stretch your budget.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Punch EV

12s

I think you should consider the MG Windsor, because it has proven to be reliable as an EV.

More questions on similar cars

1d

Hi everyone, I'm planning to buy my first EV. I was initially considering the Tata Punch EV, but I'm 6'4" tall, and I found the driver's seat and overall driving position a bit cramped for longer drives. I'm open to stretching my budget a little if it means getting a more comfortable car. My requirements are: comfortable for a 6'4" driver, real-world driving range of around 350 km, good value for money, suitable for both city driving and occasional highway trips. What would you recommend? I'd also love to hear from tall owners about their experience with cabin space and driving comfort. Thanks in advance!

Verified
3h

The Tata Punch EV is a great value proposition, but at 6'4", you are already experiencing its biggest limitation: cabin space. The driving position is upright, and the seat does not go low enough, which can become uncomfortable on longer drives. Since you are willing to stretch your budget, the MG Windsor EV is the better fit. It offers a significantly more spacious cabin, a wider and more comfortable seat, and a more relaxed driving position. Range is one aspect where this MG car doesn't really hit the 350km mark. Around 300km is what you can expect in normal driving conditions. Highway trips will have to be planned well. The screen inside dominates the dashboard. It is a more premium product than the Punch EV, but the extra spend is justified by the comfort and space.The other option is the new Kia Syros EV. It might seem compact, but the interior is surprisingly spacious, even for tall adults. The battery is a 51.4kWh unit from the bigger Clavis EV, so 400km in one charge should be possible. The rear seat space is also excellent, and the quality of the cabin, along with the usability of day-to-day functions, makes it a very strong contender.

VehicleTata Punch EV
VehicleMG Windsor
VehicleKia Carens Clavis EV
VehicleKia Syros EV

Popular discussions right now

6d

I currently own a Skoda Kushaq Petrol AT. Everything is fine except the mileage. I am getting only around 10-13kpl with E20 petrol. My daily running is around 100 km. Should I buy a diesel car or an electric car?

Verified
6d

With a daily running of around 100 km, fuel efficiency becomes a major factor in ownership costs. The Skoda Kushaq petrol automatic is a good car, but the 10-13kpl you are seeing is typical for a turbo petrol automatic, especially with E20 petrol. At this usage, a diesel or a strong hybrid makes far more sense.If you do regular highway runs, a diesel is still the most practical and cost-effective solution. The Mahindra XUV 7XO diesel automatic would be the recommendation here. It is a strong highway car, comfortable, spacious and the diesel engine will deliver significantly better fuel efficiency than your Kushaq. Diesel running costs will be far lower over your kind of mileage. If that is out of your budget, something smaller like a Kia Seltos diesel, while not as powerful, is even more efficient.If your usage is mostly city a strong hybrid could be a better solution. The Maruti Suzuki Victoris is the most practical and cost-effective option. It is well priced, has a proven track record and will dramatically reduce your running costs. The strong hybrid is better suited to the city, where it is more likely to run on its electric motor than use the engine and deliver the better mileage.

VehicleSkoda Kushaq
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleMahindra XUV 7XO
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Victoris

Posted on: 4 Aug 2026