Tata To Launch Electric Version of Nexon SUV in 2020

Indian auto giant Tata Motors has recently confirmed that the popular Nexon sub-4-meter compact SUV will soon be launched in the electric avatar in the country. The new Nexon Electric SUV could possibly be seen on Indian roads before the end of 2020. If the timeline holds, the Nexon will be the first electric SUV in Tata Motor's vehicle line-up. At present, the only electric SUV sold in India is from South Korean carmaker Hyundai in the form of Kona. This landscape, though, is set to change very soon with a flurry of electric car launches scheduled in the coming year. British automaker MG Motor is also planning to launch its electric SUV in India by the end of 2019. Named the eZS, the new electric SUV is expected to be priced under Rs. 20 lakhs, making it cheaper than Venue.

MG has not yet revealed the exact range of the eZS SUV. Meanwhile, Hyundai is also investing heavily to develop a new, affordable high-range electric car for the Indian market and the new EV is likely to be an electric SUV as well. India's largest car seller Maruti Suzuki will also launch the WagonR EV early 2020. The hatchback is likely to have a 150-kilometer range. Another carmaker, Mahindra, is also finalizing preparations to launch an electric variant of the KUV100. Called the eKUV100, the electric SUV could have a range of around 250 kilometers, making it quite a practical vehicle for everyday use. The eKUV100 is expected to be priced close to Rs. 10 lakhs.

Coming to Nexon, Tata is expected arm this SUV with a range of around 250-300 kilometers and could borrow the electric powertrain from the Altroz EV, showcased first at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. The electric Nexon is expected to be priced somewhere between Rs. 10-15 lakhs. Along with the electric powertrain, the compact SUV is also likely to get a mid-life makeover slated to happen in 2020. The mid-life makeover will make Nexon look a lot fresher, with styling cues likely to be borrowed from big brother Harrier.

The Indian Government is betting big on electric vehicles and has announced several measures to promote electric vehicles and dissuade buyers from opting for petrol and diesel engine cars. To ensure this, road taxes and registration charges for electric vehicles have been waived off. At the same time, the government has also increased registration and re-registration charges for petrol and diesel vehicles. The 2019 Union Budget announced a tax rebate on loans taken to purchase electric vehicles. From 2020, a slew of new electric cars are likely to arrive in the Indian market. A lot of action will take place in the electric two-wheeler segments as well.