Quickest mass market EVs as tested

Due to the nature of an electric motor, EVs have all their torque available from 0rpm, which gives electric cars a great initial burst of acceleration. In fact, mass-market EVs are usually more powerful and quicker than their ICE counterparts. Here, we list out every mass-market EV Autocar India has tested to see which is the quickest.

MG Comet

0-100kph: 23.87s

The MG Comet sits at the last spot, with a 0-100kph time of 23.87 seconds. However, its 0-60kph time of 7.6 seconds is closer to others on this list, showcasing that the smallest four-wheeler EV in India can keep up with urban traffic with ease. The Comet comes with a 17.3kWh battery that powers a 42hp and 110Nm rear axle-mounted motor. The MG Comet EV is priced from Rs 7.36 lakh to Rs 9.86 lakh.

Tata Tiago EV

24kWh 0-100kph: 14.5s

The Tata Tiago EV is available with two battery pack options, and we’ve tested the long-range version with the 24kWh battery. The Tiago EV LR gets a 75hp, 114Nm motor mounted on the front axle, and is priced between Rs 10.14 lakh and 11.14 lakh. Our tests saw the Long Range Tiago EV post a 0-60kph time of 5.93 seconds (quite close to Tata’s claimed time of 5.7 seconds), and a 0-100kph time of 14.5 seconds.

MG Windsor

38kWh 0-100kph: 9.79s

The MG Windsor with the smaller 38kWh battery (pro versions get a larger 52.9kWh battery) is the first EV here to record a sub-10-second 0-100kph time. It comes with a 136hp, 200Nm rear motor, which enables a 0-60kph time of 4.48 seconds and a 0-100kph time of 9.79 seconds. The Windsor with the 38kWh battery is priced between Rs 14 lakh and Rs 16.30 lakh.

Tata Nexon EV

45kWh 0-100kph: 9.77s

As is usually the case, we have tested the larger 45kWh battery version of the Tata Nexon EV; it is also available with a 30.2kWh battery, and is called the ‘MR’. The Nexon EV 45, named for the 45kWh battery, comes with a front axle-mounted 144hp, 215Nm motor, with Tata claiming a 0-100kph time of 8.9 seconds. However, our tests saw the Nexon EV 45 record a 0-100kph time of 9.77 seconds, 0.87 seconds slower than the claimed time. Prices for the Nexon EV 45 range between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 17.19 lakh, including the Red Dark variants.

Tata Punch EV

35kWh 0-100kph: 9.45s

Like every Tata EV tested, the Punch EV also comes with two battery options, and we’ve tested the larger 35kWh version. The Tata Punch EV LR gets a front-mounted motor developing 122hp and 190Nm of peak torque, which enables the compact e-SUV to accelerate from 0-60kph in 5 seconds flat and from 0-100kph in 9.45 seconds; our tested time is actually 0.05 seconds quicker than Tata’s claimed 0-100kph time of 9.5 seconds. The Punch EV LR’s price range is Rs 12.84 lakh-14.44 lakh.

Tata Curvv EV

55kWh 0-100kph: 9.25s

Like the rest of the Tata EVs, the Curvv EV also gets two battery pack options, and we’ve tested the larger of the 55kWh battery version, which gets a front axle-mounted 167hp, 215Nm motor. Tata claims a 0-100kph time of 8.6 seconds, though our tests show the Curvv EV 55 sprints from 0-100kph in 9.25 seconds. Tata Curvv EV 55 prices currently range between Rs 19.25 lakh and Rs 22.24 lakh, including the Dark variants.

Mahindra XUV400

0-100kph: 8.93s

While the Mahindra XUV400 was available with two battery options, it is only the larger 39.5kWh option that is now available. The XUV400 is priced at Rs 17.49 lakh, and comes with a 150hp, 310Nm front motor, which enables a claimed 0-100kph time of 8.3 seconds, though our tests showed it recorded a time of 8.93 seconds, just 0.63 seconds short of Mahindra’s claim.

MG ZS EV

0-100kph: 8.42s

The MG ZS EV is the most powerful all-electric car from the British brand currently available. The ZS EV gets a 50.3kWh battery, which powers a front axle-mounted motor that produces 177hp and 280Nm of torque. Our real-world performance tests showed the ZS EV reaching 60kph from standstill in 4.37 seconds, while the 0-100kph sprint took 8.42 seconds. The MG ZS EV is currently priced between Rs 17.99 lakh and Rs 20.50 lakh.

Hyundai Creta Electric 

51.4kWh 0-100kph: 8.04 seconds 

Up next is the most quintessential midsize electric SUV, the Hyundai Creta Electric. The Creta Electric is offered with two battery pack options – 42kWh and 51.4kWh – and it’s the latter version that we’ve tested. The battery powers a front-axle electric motor producing 171hp and 255Nm, and in Sport mode, the Creta Electric sprints from 0-100kph in 8.04 seconds, just 0.14 seconds shy of Hyundai’s claimed time. The top-spec Creta Electric in Excellence LR guise is priced at 24.38 lakh (ex-showroom).

Mahindra XEV 9e

79kWh 0-100kph: 7.45s

Mahindra’s current flagship EV has two battery pack options – 59kWh and 79kWh – and we’ve managed to test the larger battery version. The top-spec XEV 9e Pack Three – only available with the 79kWh battery – has a 286hp, 380Nm rear motor, with Mahindra claiming a 0-100kph time of 6.8 seconds. However, our performance tests showed the Mahindra XEV 9e 79kWh version sprints to 60kph in 4.14 seconds and to 100kph in 7.45 seconds; 0.65 seconds slower than Mahindra’s claim. The XEV 9e Pack Three costs Rs 30.50 lakh.

Mahindra BE 6

79kWh 0-100kph: 7.1s

Mahindra’s answer to the Hyundai Creta Electric shares its battery options and motor with the larger XEV 9e. Naturally, the smaller Mahindra BE 6 is quicker than the coupe-SUV, with a claimed 0-100kph time of 6.7 seconds. In our tests, the BE 6 Pack Three recorded a 0-60kph time of 4 seconds and a 0-100kph time of 7.1 seconds (0.4 seconds short of the claimed time). The Mahindra BE 6 Pack Three is priced from Rs 26.90 lakh.

Tata Harrier EV

75kWh AWD 0-100kph: 6.74 seconds

The Tata Harrier EV is the quickest EV to 100kph that we have tested so far, and it is unique in a couple of ways. It is the only vehicle here with an all-wheel-drive setup, courtesy of dual electric motors (one on each axle), and even gets a Boost function. We tested the larger 75kWh battery variant, which produces a combined 313hp and 504Nm from the two electric motors, making it the most powerful on this list. Naturally, the sprint to 100kph was also rapid in just 6.74 seconds in Boost Mode, quite commendable for Harrier EV AWD’s portly 2.3-tonne kerb weight. It’s also not too far from Tata’s claimed time of 6.3 seconds. The top-spec Harrier EV AWD is priced at Rs 28.99 lakh.