2020 Tata Tigor EV (facelift) spotted on test, will retain the Electra powertrain

Tata Motors launched facelifts of ICE-powered Tigor and Tiago in January 2020 along with other models and later this year, the Tigor EV is set to gain updates. The Tigor Electric facelift has been spied testing under camouflage by Youtube channel ‘Tech with AMG.’ The variant is identified by the lack of an exhaust tip and no detectable engine sound.

Though the Tigor EV has been made available to personal buyers since October 2019 with extended range (213 km) and new features, the Tigor Electric hasn’t been given the facelift its IC engine brothers received a couple of months ago.

The Tigor facelift brought with it projector headlamps, LED daytime running lights, new grille in the Y-Shaped pattern flanked by a full-width chrome strip, new alloy wheels, flat-bottom steering wheel, digital instrument cluster and Harman touchscreen infotainment system. We expect more or less the same features on the 2020 Tigor EV.

Powering the Tigor EV is a powertrain sourced from Indian company Electra EV (Electrodrive Powertrain Solutions Private Limited) and the facelift would continue to do so. Mr Shailesh Chandra, President, Electric Mobility Business & Corporate Strategy, Tata Motors has confirmed in our interview that the Tigor EV will not be receiving the Ziptron technology from the Nexon EV.

Electra Solutions is serving very well in the fleet segment and their service has made the Tigor EV the largest selling electric car last month. Now it is selling in huge numbers after the introduction of the 213 km range version. The car makes tremendous sense to fleet operators as they are able to save Rs 6000 to Rs 7000 per month when compared to a diesel vehicle. The fleet segment has a certain set of requirements which is very different than the personal segment. And Electra Solutions is working very well. We would like to continue in the fleet segment with this and Ziptron technology will service the personal segment primarily, because it is more performance-driven.

Shailesh Chandra, President, Electric Mobility Business & Corporate Strategy, Tata Motors, talking to ElectricVehicleWeb.in at the Auto Expo.

The Tigor EV is equipped with a 21.5 kWh battery and a 3-phase 30 kW AC induction motor, offering a range of 213 km (certified full charge range, as per the ARAI test). The battery can be charged to its full capacity in 11.5 hours with a regular AC charger and to 80 per cent in just two hours with a 15 kW DC fast charger.

Last month, Tata Motors delivered the first batch of the Tata Tigor EV to Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd. (UGVCL) as a part of its agreement with EESL. These Tigor EVs will be deployed in Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, as a part of its tender with EESL.

The Tigor EV will face stiff competition in the form of the Mahindra eKUV100 that will come out in the April-June 2020 quarter at a price of Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Though the range of the KUV is far lower than the Tigor, the fancy price and the space on offer will no doubt attract attention towards it from fleet buyers.