The electric vehicle revolution has begun in India, which in the previous 12-14 month period has witnessed the launch of 4 electric SUV cars – Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV, Tata Nexon EV and Mercedes EQC. However, the next 12-14 month period will see the launch of at least 6 electric SUVs in the Indian market as tempting alternatives to petrol-powered cars.
Our list is a snapshot of the incoming vehicles. Click on the first link in each paragraph to know more about them.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace has already been listed on the brand’s Indian website, and Rohit Suri, the head of Jaguar Land Rover India, has confirmed that the EV is coming in early 2021 with the charging network supported by Tata Power. The i-Pace will be the first of many Jaguar electric cars in India. Available in two variants – I-Pace EV400 and I-Pace EV320 – both have a range of up to 480 km (WLTP cycle) though the latter takes 6.4 seconds to 100km/h as compared to the former’s 4.8 seconds. The I-Pace will be one of the imported electric SUV cars in India with a price north of INR 1 crore (ex-showroom).
| Electric SUV car name | Launch Date | Expected Price (ex-showroom) |
| Jaguar I-Pace | January-March 2021 | Rs. 1 crore+ |
Mahindra eKUV100
Bookings for the Mahindra eKUV100, or the Mahindra eKUV as it can be called, are expected to start in December with its launch likely now in January, as hinted by Dr Pawan Goenka, the MD and CEO of Mahindra, last month. The Mahindra electric car is priced at INR 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi, including FAME-II subsidy). A 15.9 kWh battery pack is expected to deliver a range of 147 km (as claimed during the reveal at the 2020 Auto Expo), though we expect that number to be revised slightly as Mahindra could have made some improvements in this time.
A 53.6 hp electric motor makes 120 Nm of torque, and drives the front wheels. The first of the Mahindra electric SUV cars comes with DC fast charging with 80 percent battery topup available in just one hour. Mahindra Electric is targeting the commercial customer (rentals and cab operators) with the eKUV but said it would also make the electric crossover available to personal car owners. Ride hailing platforms like BluSmart have already evinced interest in adding the eKUV to their fleet.
| Electric SUV car name | Launch Date | Price (ex-showroom) |
| Mahindra eKUV100 | By end of January 2021 | Rs. 8.25 lakh |
Audi e-tron
The Audi e-tron has been confirmed for the Indian market, though ideally, it should have been launched by now. However, owing to the pandemic and to meet new government regulation, the Audi electric car was deferred by a few months. Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon confirmed last month that the booking announcement is just a few weeks away.
One of the premium electric SUV cars, the Audi e-tron was also showcased in India last year during the inauguration of Audi’s Gurugram dealership. With a 95kWh battery, and a motor at each axle, the e-tron has a range of 390km and with a 150kW DC fast charger, the battery can be charged to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
| Electric SUV car name | Expected Launch Date | Expected Price (ex-showroom) |
| Audi e-tron | Early-2021 | Rs. 1 crore+ |
Mahindra eXUV300
Showcased at the Auto Expo 2020 in a production-oriented state, the Mahindra eXUV300 is truly a game changer and one of highly anticipated electric SUV cars in India. Dr. Pawan Goenka, MD & CEO of Mahindra has confirmed the launch of the Mahindra electric car for late 2021 or early 2022 in a virtual media roundtable held in late October. He has also confirmed the Mahindra electric SUV will come in multiple variants.
The entry model is expected with a 200 km range and a long range model with a 375 km range is expected to make up the top end of the variant walk. In the future, an additional performance variant could be launched making it the flagship in the XUV300 series. A bigger touchscreen, semi-digital cockpit and a wireless mobile phone charger are its unique features.
The no-compromise Mahindra electric car is built on the MESMA 350 (Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture 350), while the 350-volt powertrain has been developed completely in-house. It will support a wide range of electric motors from 60 kW to 280 kW, and different configurations including a dual-motor setup, and batteries up to 80 kWh capacities.
| Electric SUV car name | Launch Date | Expected Price (ex-showroom) |
| Mahindra eXUV300 | Late-2021 or Early-2022 | Rs 12 lakh |
Hyundai Kona facelift
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric facelift features a refreshed design that makes it look sportier yet cleaner. Hyundai has smoothened out the Kona EV’s front end and given it a new set of two-tier lights with the facelift. The new Kona Electric has sportier alloy wheels, new bumpers, tweaked tail lights, new reverse lights and rear turn indicators as well.
The 2021 Kona Electric interior looks mostly the same as that of the old Kona Electric. However, there’s a new, fully digital instrument cluster measuring 10.25 inches diagonally. This feature should be offered in the 2021 Kona Electric in India. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system of the old model has been upgraded and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto in the new model. There are several new Bluelink connected car features as well, some of which could be offered in India. The new Kona Electric facelift, unlike the old model, has ambient lighting as well.
In foreign markets, Hyundai offers the old Kona Electric with even a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has carried forward this unit, and it could offer the same in the new model it imports to India. Do note that the bigger and more sophisticated infotainment system, which features GPS navigation as well, has not received wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto compatibility with the electric SUV’s mid-cycle refresh.
The Hyundai Kona EV 2021 has the same outputs and ranges as the old model, as it uses the same powertrains. However, the units of the new model imported to India may return a 5-8% higher range with a change in the tyre specifications. The Kona Electric sold in Europe had received that upgrade in April this year, due to which its range (WLTP) had increased from 289 km to 305 km (39.2 kWh)/449 km to 484 km (64 kWh).
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric in India may have increased localised content to offset the increase in customs duty on knocked-down imports. Expect a retail price of around INR 25 lakh (ex-showroom), with only the 39.2 kWh variant coming to our shores.
| Electric SUV car name | Expected Launch Date | Expected Price (ex-showroom) |
| Hyundai Kona EV 2021 | Second half of 2021 | Rs. 23 lakh |
Volvo XC40 Recharge
Charles Frump, MD Volvo Car India, confirmed the launch of the Volvo XC40 Recharge in the second half of 2021. The Volvo electric car will be assembled in India, and is expected in the price bracket of INR 45-50 lakhs, ex-showroom. With two 150kW motors combining to produce 408 PS, the XC40 Recharge does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds. On the WLTP cycle, the first of the Volvo SUV cars that is 100% electric achieves 400 km of range and features fast charging to 80 percent in 40 minutes.
| Electric SUV car name | Expected Launch Date | Expected Price (ex-showroom) |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge | Second half of 2021 | Rs. 45 lakh |
