Tata Punch EV in the works

When it launches on the 20th of this month, the Tata Punch will have just one engine option – a 1.2-litre petrol motor. However, other powertrains are under active consideration, including an all-electric version.

• Punch’s ALFA platform can accommodate EV powertrain
• Will be powered by Ziptron tech

Tata Punch: EV and other powertrains

While our sources indicate the turbo version of the petrol motor is all but confirmed, in an interview with Autocar India, Shailesh Chandra, president, passenger vehicles business unit, Tata Motors, said "We have been contemplating different options (for the Punch) whether it's diesel or EVs. We are thinking about all these options."

The Punch is based on Tata’s new ALFA platform, which is designed to accommodate an electric powertrain, among others. And the Punch EV will most certainly arrive with the company’s Ziptron high-voltage architecture, given that the Punch is squarely aimed at the private segment. Though, it will still be some time before it hits showrooms floors. “We are working towards the EV, it's a work in progress, but it will take some time," said Chandra.

Coming to the diesel Punch, as we have already seen with the Altroz, the ALFA platform can house the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine. However, our sources tell us that the Punch is packaged with a focus on a larger passenger cabin and, consequentially, a smaller engine bay, thus fitting the four-cylinder diesel is likely to be a challenge. Additionally, with the advent of the BS6 norms, Tata no longer has smaller capacity diesel engines in its passenger vehicle line-up that it could use instead. Thus, a diesel Punch could take a while, with Tata possibly having to re-introduce the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder diesel motor that it had in the Tiago and Tigor. 

Tata Punch EV: rivals

At present, the Punch EV wouldn’t have any direct rivals, as there are no electric compact SUVs in the market, apart from the Nexon EV. Additionally, given its positioning, the Punch EV would replace the Tigor EV as the most affordable EV in India. The petrol powered Punch, on the other hand, will compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ignis and lower variants of the Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger compact SUVs.