Hi, I am planning to buy an EV car between 10 and 15 lakh. I already have a Baleno, so I am looking for a second car. I am confused between the new Tiago EV, Punch EV and 3XO EV, which is slightly above my budget. I will be driving around 100 km daily. Please share your suggestion.

autocar.india

•1d

Pick the Tata Punch EV, provided you can install a home charger for the car too, because at 1500 km a month, your running cost drops sharply and you sidestep any E30 or diesel drama. It is small enough for Jaipur’s traffic and tight parking, but feels tough over broken roads. Coming from an Ather bike, the EV basics will feel natural - smooth drive, strong energy recovery in traffic, and no heat or clutch fatigue after long days. Real-world range is enough for typical city routes; most owners charge every few days rather than nightly. If your company pays a flat per-km rate, the low electricity bill means more money left in your pocket. Just make sure you have a dedicated parking spot with a reliable socket, and think about your longest single-day route. Summer AC and expressway speeds will trim range, and fast chargers outside city limits in Rajasthan are still spaced out, so plan ahead for outstation calls. Tata’s software and service can be a bit inconsistent, though it has improved. If those boxes are ticked, the Punch EV fits your use better than any petrol or diesel right now.

Tata Punch EV

autocar.india

•2d

Go for the Tata Punch EV; at Rs 12 lakh, it is the most complete first EV you can buy. It fits your budget even with the larger battery, so you get a real 300-plus km range in normal city use and the comfort of fast charging for the odd long day. It is a proper 5‑door subcompact SUV with space for a family and a decent boot, so it feels like a normal car, just quieter and far cheaper to run.If you want something cheaper, there's also the Tata Tiago EV, but your money goes a lot further with the Punch as you get better ground clearance, more features, and crucially a larger battery. Do note, with all EVs, long highway trips still need planning and patience at chargers, and it's best to make sure you can install a charger at home. But for a first EV on a Rs 12 lakh budget, nothing else balances range, practicality and ease of ownership this well.

Tata Punch EV

Tata Tiago EV

autocar.india

•3d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Dzire CNG because your 2,500 km a month on highways needs very low running costs, and it stays within Rs. 10 lakh in the sensible mid trims. It sips far less money than petrol on long runs, the 1.2 engine is smooth enough for steady 90-100 km/h cruising, and Maruti’s wide service network helps when you are clocking big miles.There is a catch. CNG cuts boot space. If this is an issue, consider the Tata Tiago CNG. However, make sure your usual routes have reliable CNG pumps. If that is shaky where you drive, consider going electric, but only if you have home charging and your trips have charging stops you trust. The Tata Tiago EV will slash your fuel spend even more, but it needs planning for very long stretches. If you’d rather stick to petrol, expect higher running costs; among those, the Toyota Glanza or Maruti Baleno 1.2 are the most efficient, but they will still cost more per km than CNG.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire

Tata Tiago

Tata Tiago EV

Toyota Glanza

Maruti Suzuki Baleno