by Indian automaker Tata Motors has introduced an updated electric version of the Punch model just two years after its debut. In the world of small electric cars, development is happening very quickly, so the company did not wait and made a number of important changes.
Updated Design and Equipment
The exterior of the electric Punch received an updated front end with a cleaner bumper design, although the split headlight layout remains the same. The car also received new 16-inch alloy wheels and full-width LED rear lights, echoing the design of the recently updated gasoline version.
The interior remained virtually unchanged. Higher trim levels feature two 10.25-inch displays, wireless charging, ventilated seats, voice-controlled sunroof, and a 360-degree camera. Six airbags are standard for all versions, although the base trim does without a multimedia screen.
More Power and Longer Range
The most important changes are hidden under the body. The Punch EV received larger battery packs with capacities of 30 kWh and 40 kWh, each being 5 kWh larger than the previous versions.
According to the manufacturer, the real-world range can reach up to 355 km, which is 75 km more than the previous model. Charging speed has also improved. The updated Punch EV now supports 65 kW DC fast charging, instead of the previous 50 kW. This allows charging the battery from 20% to 80% in 26 minutes.
The power of the electric motor has also increased slightly – by 6 hp. The version with the medium-capacity battery develops 85 hp, and the long-range model – 127 hp. According to Tata, the latter accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9 seconds, which is 0.5 seconds faster than the previous result.
Pricing Strategy
Despite the additional equipment, Tata lowered the car’s starting price. The attractive mark of ₹6.49 lakh ($7,150) is achieved thanks to the BaaS scheme, where the battery is leased separately at a rate of ₹2.6 per km.
You buy the car, but lease the battery separately for ₹2.6 per km.
If you buy the car together with the battery, prices start from ₹9.69 lakh ($10,700) and go up to ₹12.59 lakh ($13,900) depending on the trim. Even these prices are lower than the pre-facelift model, making the updated Punch EV even more attractive in terms of value for money.
With an annual mileage of 12,000 km, battery lease will cost approximately $348 per year. Over five years and such mileage, the total lease amount will be about $2,175. Adding it to the initial car price, the total cost will be about $9,325, which is still less than the starting price of the version with the battery owned. The more you drive, the smaller the price difference between the two schemes becomes.
For comparison, prices for the gasoline version of the Tata Punch start from ₹5.59 lakh ($6,200).
Such a rapid update cycle for the electric version of the model indicates the high priority that Tata Motors places on developing its electric car in one of the world’s most competitive markets. The scheme of separate ownership of the car and the battery is an interesting experiment aimed at overcoming one of the main obstacles for buyers – the high initial cost of electric vehicles. The success of this strategy could influence the approaches of other manufacturers, especially in developing markets where price affordability is often a decisive factor. The increased range and power, coupled with lower prices, make the updated Punch EV a serious player in the segment of affordable electric vehicles.
