Cheapest Electric Car in India in 2024 - Price, Features, Specifications

Petrol and diesel are the most commonly used fuel in a car, but what was once called a paradigm shift is finally happening, and it is bringing along a host of new electric cars in the Indian market. The push from the government to promote sustainable mobility is one reason, the other is the cheaper running cost.

However, factors like range anxiety and scarcity of chargers are the friction in the adoption of EVs. Also, electric cars are slightly more expensive in comparison to their ICE counterparts. While there’s not much we can do about range anxiety and the charging ecosystem, we can certainly help in finding out the cheapest electric cars in India that will be on sale in 2024.

So, tighten up your belts, dock up your phones, and read to find out what are the most affordable electric cars in India that you can buy today. 

Cheapest Electric Cars in India:

1. MG Comet EV

The MG Comet EV is a vehicle of distinctive and unorthodox nature. It is currently the cheapest electric car in India with a starting price of ₹6.99 lakh, ex-showroom. However, all doesn’t come to an end here. Making it every bit eye-catching is its boxy design. Ideal for the city, the MG Comet EV is palm-sized, not really though. It is indeed super compact, measuring only 2.9 meters in length. Now don’t question its capacity to fit four full-size adults, it can do the job easily. Powering the Comet EV is a permanent synchronous motor that develops a peak power output of 44 bhp. The motor gets its juice from a 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that aids it with a range of 230 km. The feature list on the Comet EV is long and intuitive. It includes two 10.25-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment unit.

Starting Price: ₹6.99 lakh

MG Comet EV Key Specifications:

MG Comet EV Key Features:

What’s Good:

• Compact dimensions
• Spacious interior
• Feature-loaded

What’s Not Good:

• Misses out on fast-charging compatibility
• Minuscule road presence

2. Tata Tiago EV

Before the arrival of the MG Comet EV, the Tata Tiago EV held the title of the most affordable electric car in India. Upon its arrival, it made headlines for the very reason. Yes, it did come as a surprise to everyone, as the starting price was super-competitive at only ₹7.99 lakh, ex-showroom. No, Tata Motors didn’t cut corners in the name of cost-cutting. The Tiago EV houses a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that sits underneath the floor. Beneath the bonnet sits a 74 bhp electric motor, and this combination delivers a claimed range of 315 km. The Tiago EV comes with all the features that are offered by its ICE counterpart.

Starting Price: ₹7.99 lakh

Tata Tiago EV Key Specifications:

Tata Tiago EV Key Features:

What’s Good:

• Affordability
• Practical range
• Is a proper 5-door hatchback

What’s Not Good:

• Small touchscreen infotainment unit
• Scratchy plastics on the inside

3. Tata Punch EV

A more practical option on the list is the Tata Punch EV that has just gone on sale in the county at a starting price of ₹10.99 lakh, ex-showroom. It is offered with two battery choices: 25 kWh and 35 kWh delivering claimed ranges of 315 km and 421 km, respectively. The long-range version boasts 121 bhp of peak power and 190 Nm of max torque. The 25 kWh battery, on the other hand, is paired with an 80 bhp motor. The Punch EV sports futuristic design elements, in contrast to its petrol version. It doesn’t disappoint in terms of features either.

Starting Price: ₹10.99 lakh

Tata Punch Key Specifications:

Tata Punch Key Features:

What’s Good:

• Futuristic styling
• Premium dashboard layout
• All-digital cabin

What’s Not Good:

• The touchscreen is laggy

4. Citroen eC3

With the demand for low-cost, viable, and capable electric cars increasing in India, Citroen gave it a shot in the form of eC3. Priced from ₹11.69 lakh onward, the Citroen eC3 is a rather chic looking product on this list of cheap electric cars in India. Sporting a vertically split headlamp design, black body cladding, and funky dual-tone paint job, the Citroen eC3 manages to impress with its aesthetics. The claimed range for the eC3 is 320 km, courtesy of a 29.2 kWh battery pack. It can be charged through a fast charger in only 57 minutes, making it a compelling purchase in its segment. However, the feature list of the Citroen eC3 is scarce and can be a deal-breaker for many.

Starting Price: ₹11.69 lakh

Citroen eC3 Key Specifications:

Citroen eC3 Key Features:

What’s Good:

• Competitively Priced
• Extremely spacious cabin
• Practical range

What’s Not Good:

• Lethargic performance
• Feels cheap on the inside

5. Tata Tigor EV

Following the Tata Tiago EV hot on its heels on this list of cheapest electric cars in India is its sibling — the Tata Tigor EV. The Tigor EV is an interesting proposition in this segment as it is the only electric sedan in existence on the list. It carries a starting price of ₹12.49 lakh. The powertrain comprises a 26 kWh battery pack that runs a 73.7 bhp electric motor. While the Tiago EV is an ideal compact city car, the Tigor EV extends the practicality with its substantially larger boot space of 316 litres.

Starting Price: ₹12.49 lakh

Tata Tiago Key Specifications:

Tata Tigor EV Key Features:

What’s Good:

• Larger 316 litres of boot volume
• Practical range of 315 km

What’s Not Good:

• Small touchscreen infotainment unit
• Scratchy plastics on the inside

Electric Car Manufacturers in India:

• Hyundai
• Tata Motors
• Kia
• BYD
• MG
• Citroen
• Mercedes-Benz
• BMW
• Audi
• Jaguar
• Volvo

Electric Car Sales in India

In summation, there are a slew of electric on sale in the Indian market now. Starting from the super-affordable MG Comet to the uber-luxurious Rolls-Royce Spectre EV. Since the major chunk of demands sits around the entry-level segment, we have listed out the most affordable electric cars you can buy in India that will also keep you happy in terms of overall ownership experience.

If you wish to spend more and get home a product that offers more features and looks gorgeous, we’d advise you to wait for products like the Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra BE.05, and Tata Harrier EV. Between March 2023 and February 2024, a total of 94,485 electric cars were sold in the Indian market. The market registered sales of 7,118 electric cars in February 2024, posting a 50 per cent YoY hike, as only 4,760 electric cars were sold in India, in the corresponding month of last year.

FAQs

Q. Which is the best cheapest electric car in India?

Currently, the MG Comet EV is the cheapest electric car you can buy that will set you back by ₹6.99 lakh, ex-showroom.

Q. Which electric car is under 5 lakh?

There are no electric cars on sale in India, which cost less than ₹5 lakh.

Q. What is the cheapest luxury EV in India?

Luxury EVs are in plenty in India. The cheapest remains the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a starting price of ₹45.95 lakh.

Q. Is EV better than petrol?

The electric car ecosystem is still in its nascant stage, and thus, it is difficult to conclude if they are better than petrol cars or not. Ideally, if your runabouts are restricted to just urban environments and limited to 100 km daily, electric cars do make a lot of sense, subject to the availability of a charger at your residence.