Electric cars are becoming more and more popular, thanks to the rising fuel prices and the green-credentials associated with electric mobility. However, range anixety, coupled with the limited charging infrastructure across the country, still stops many buyers from opting for EVs.
In such a scenario, there are some cars looking to break the stereotypes of low range associated with EVs. Here, we have compiled a list of five electric cars and SUVs in India that boast of the highest claimed range on a single charge.
5. Audi e-tron/Porsche Taycan
Range: Up to 484km (WLTP-cycle)
The fifth position is a tie between the Audi e-tron SUV and the Porsche Taycan.
The e-tron comes with SUV and Sportback body styles, and in two variants: the 50, which gets two electric motors that produce a combined 313hp and 540Nm, and the 55, which also has a dual-motor layout with more power at 408hp and 664Nm. The 50 comes with a 71kWh battery pack that has a range of 264-379km (WLTP combined). The more powerful 55 comes with a bigger 95kWh battery pack and a WLTP range between 359-384km.
You can read our comprehensive review of the e-tron here.
The Taycan also comes in two body styles – the Taycan sedan and the Taycan Cross Turismo estate – and has seven variants in total. The standard rear-wheel-drive Taycan makes 408hp, while the top-spec Taycan Turbo S generates up to 761hp and 1,050Nm of peak torque, which makes it among the most powerful EVs on sale in India. Claiming the same maximum WLTP range figures as the e-tron, the lower variants of the Taycan pack a 79.2kWh battery as standard, while the larger 93.4kWh battery pack is optional. The higher-spec Turbo and Turbo S variants are available solely with the 93.4kWh unit.
We recently drove the standard RWD Taycan on Indian roads and you can read our impressions here. We also drove the Taycan Turbo S back in 2019. You can check that review here.
4. Audi e-tron GT
Range: 500km (WLTP cycle)
Built on a bespoke electric platform, the e-tron GT comes in two variants. The standard model produces a combined 475hp and 630Nm of torque, with a boost mode taking the power up to 530hp. There’s also the performance-oriented RS version that makes 646hp. It uses a 2-speed transmission with a short first gear for acceleration and a long-ratio second gear for efficiency. Both the models get a 93kWh battery pack, for which Audi claims a range of up to 500km for the standard e-tron GT and 481km for the RS e-tron GT, as per the WLTP cycle.
The Audi e-tron GT’s stunning design, quick performance and keen handling are some of its highlights. You can check out our review here, and for our review of the RS e-tron GT, click here.
3. Kia EV6
Range: 528km (WLTP cycle)
Kia’s first electric model in the Indian market is also the carmaker’s flagship EV. Launched at a starting price of Rs 59.95 lakh, the EV6 is a premium crossover, packing in a sole 77.4kWh battery pack for our market. It is available in a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive guise making 229hp and 350Nm of torque, and in a dual-motor all-wheel-drive guise making 325hp and 605Nm. The maximum range for the EV6 is 528km on the WLTP cycle. The EV6 is based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform, which will also underpin the upcoming Hyundai Ioniq 5.
You can read our review of the Kia EV6 here.
2. Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+
Range: Up to 586km (WLTP cycle)
Mercedes-AMG’s first all-electric model also happens to be the most expensive electric car in India. Priced at Rs 2.45 crore, the EQS 53 has a WLTP certified of up to 586km. Despite the long range, the EQS 53 does not sacrifice performance. The India-spec model, with the Dynamic Plus pack standard, makes 761hp in Race Start mode with boost function activated and the maximum torque stands at 1,020Nm.
Mercedes will also bring the non-AMG EQS 580 in September and sources say that the official range for it would be in excess of 750km. We have driven the EQS 580 and you can check our review here, or watch our video review.
1. BMW i4
Range: 590km (WLTP cycle)
Topping our list of EVs with the highest range is BMW’s second EV for India – the i4. The near-600km is possible due to a large 83.9kWh battery pack which powers the rear-axle-mounted electric motor, producing 340hp and 430Nm of torque. The i4 can sprint from 0-100kph in a claimed 5.7sec and reach an electronically limited top speed of 190kph.
Currently, there are no direct rivals to the i4 in the Indian market. We have driven the i4 on our roads and you can read our review here.
