Tata Punch EV has been confirmed to be under development and expect the launch to happen sometime in the third quarter of 2023
Tata Motors entered the micro SUV segment with the Punch late last year. The five-seater sits below the Nexon in the brand’s domestic SUV portfolio and it has been well-received by customers for its good looks, practicality, high ground clearance, affordability and a decent set of features. Moreover, it is one of the most affordable cars money can buy with a Global NCAP safety rating of five stars.
Over the last year or so, the Tata Punch has found itself regularly finishing within the top ten passenger vehicle monthly sales charts and it has helped in garnering more SUV market share for the brand with the Nexon leading the charge. With Nexon EV being the best-selling EV in the country, Tata commands well over 80 per cent market share in this particular space.
The homegrown manufacturer showcased two electric vehicle concepts this year: the Avinya and the Curvv. Only a few months ago, the Tata Tiago EV made its market debut and is currently the most affordable zero-emission vehicle on sale with a starting price of Rs. 8.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Tata intends to further expand its EV range as new models are waiting in the pipeline.
Before switching to pure EVs based on dedicated skateboard platforms in the future, Tata plans to bring in vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions based on its existing fleet. The ALFA (Agile Light Flexible Advanced) platform underpinning the Punch and Altroz takes the spotlight as it is flexible enough to accommodate electric drivetrain systems already.
A recent report emerged on the internet suggests that the Punch EV will be the next to arrive and it could be launched in the third quarter of next year. Vivek Srivatsa – Head of Marketing, Sales and Service Strategy at Tata Passenger and Electric Mobility Limited confirmed in an interview that the Punch EV is under development.
It will adopt the Ziptron high-voltage architecture and the exterior will likely feature blue accents, new wheels, colour schemes and badges to differentiate itself from the IC-engined model. It will be positioned above the Tiago EV and the features list could comprise multi-mode regen tech and drive modes. Expect the driving range to hover around 350 km.