From Tata Tiago EV to Nexon EV: Compare India's best budget electric cars by price, range & features

Electric cars are no longer just premium vehicles. Today, Indian buyers can choose from several affordable EVs starting at around ₹7 lakh, with claimed ranges of up to 489 km. They offer lower running and maintenance costs than petrol or diesel cars, making them an attractive option for daily commuting and family use. Whether you're looking for a compact city car, a practical family vehicle, or an SUV for longer trips, there's an EV to suit your budget. Here, we compare six popular budget EVs in India, highlighting their price, specifications, charging time, power, pros, cons,and ideal buyers.

The Tata Tiago EV is available in four variants. The Smart (19.2 kWh) is the entry-level model with an approximate on-road price of ₹7.4–7.8 lakh. The Pure Plus (19.2 kWh) costs around ₹8.9–9.4 lakh and adds more features. If you want a longer driving range, the Pure Plus (24 kWh) is priced at ₹9.9–10.5 lakh, while the top-end Creative Plus (24 kWh) costs around ₹10.5–11 lakh and offers the most premium features. (On-road prices may vary by city.)

Specifications

• 19.2 kWh battery (Smart & Pure Plus): 61 PS power, claimed range of up to 223 km, 5 seats, 240-litre boot. DC fast charging is available on the Pure Plus variant.
• 24 kWh battery (Pure Plus & Creative Plus): 75 PS power, claimed range of up to 293 km, DC fast charging (10–80% in about 58 minutes), 5 seats, and a 240-litre boot.

Pros

• Most affordable electric hatchback in India
• Low running and maintenance costs
• Easy to drive in city traffic
• Larger battery option offers a better driving range

Cons

• 19.2 kWh variants are better suited for city driving than long highway trips
• Boot space is smaller than some rivals

Best For

• First-time EV buyers
• Daily office commuters
• Small families
• Buyers looking for an affordable electric car

The MG Comet EV is available in multiple variants with two battery choices. The Executive variant is the entry-level model with an approximate on-road price of ₹7.5–8.2 lakh. The Excite variant costs around ₹8.3–9 lakh and adds more convenience features. The Excite Fast Charge variant is priced at approximately ₹8.8–9.5 lakh and supports DC fast charging. The Exclusive and Exclusive Fast Charge variants are available at around ₹9.4–10.3 lakh, while the top-end Blackstorm Edition costs about ₹10–10.8 lakh and offers a sportier appearance with premium features. (On-road prices may vary by city.)
Specifications

• 17.3 kWh battery (All variants):
• 42 PS power
• 110 Nm torque
• Claimed driving range of up to 230 km
• 4 seats
• 350-litre boot space (with rear seats folded)
• AC home charging (0–100%) in about 7 hours
• DC fast charging is available on Fast Charge variants (10–80% in about 35 minutes)

Pros

• One of the most affordable electric cars in India
• Extremely compact and easy to park in crowded cities
• Low running and maintenance costs
• Modern connected features with dual digital displays
• Fast-charging option available on select variants

Cons

• Four-seat layout may not suit larger families
• Best suited for city use rather than long highway journeys
• Limited driving range compared to larger EVs

Best For

• City commuters
• First-time EV buyers
• Young professionals
• Families looking for a second car
• Buyers who want a compact, easy-to-drive electric vehicle for daily urban travel

The Citroën eC3 is available in multiple variants with a single battery option. The Live variant is the entry-level model with an approximate on-road price of ₹12.5–13.2 lakh. The Feel variant costs around ₹13.2–13.8 lakh and adds more comfort and convenience features. The top-end Shine variant is priced at approximately ₹13.8–14.5 lakh and comes with the most premium equipment. (On-road prices may vary by city.)
Specifications
29.2 kWh battery (All variants):

• 57 PS power
• Claimed driving range of up to 320 km
• 5 seats
• 315-litre boot space
• DC fast charging (10–80%) in about 57 minutes
• AC home charging (10–100%) in about 10.5 hours

Pros

• Comfortable ride quality, especially on rough roads
• Spacious cabin with good headroom and legroom
• Practical boot space for family use
• Low running and maintenance costs
• Suitable for both city commutes and occasional highway trips

Cons

• Interior quality feels basic compared to some rivals
• Fewer premium features than similarly priced competitors
• DC fast charging is available only on selected variants

Best For

• Small families
• Daily office commuters
• Buyers prioritizing ride comfort
• First-time EV buyers looking for a practical hatchback
• Users seeking a spacious and comfortable electric car for everyday driving

The Tata Tigor EV is available in multiple variants with a single battery option. The XE variant is the entry-level model with an approximate on-road price of ₹13–13.7 lakh. The XT variant costs around ₹13.8–14.5 lakh and adds more convenience features. The XZ Plus variant is priced at approximately ₹14.6–15.3 lakh, while the top-end XZ Plus Lux variant costs around ₹15.3–16 lakh and offers the most premium features. (On-road prices may vary by city.)

Specifications
26 kWh battery (All variants):

• 75 PS power
• Claimed driving range of up to 315 km
• 5 seats
• 316-litre boot space
• DC fast charging (10–80%) in about 59 minutes
• AC home charging (0–100%) in about 9.5 hours

Pros

• One of the most affordable electric sedans in India
• Comfortable ride with a practical sedan design
• Low running and maintenance costs
• Decent driving range for daily commuting
• Good boot space for luggage and family use

Cons

• Cabin design feels dated compared to newer EVs
• Performance is adequate but not very sporty
• Real-world range is lower than the claimed figure

Best For

• Buyers looking for an affordable electric sedan
• Daily office commuters
• Small families
• Fleet and taxi operators
• Those who prefer a sedan over a hatchback or SUV for everyday driving

The Tata Nexon EV is available in multiple variants with two battery options. The Creative (30 kWh) is the entry-level model with an approximate on-road price of ₹14–15 lakh. The Fearless and Fearless Plus variants are priced between ₹15–16 lakh and offer additional premium features. If you want the maximum driving range, the Empowered (45 kWh) and Empowered Plus (45 kWh) variants are available at around ₹17–18.8 lakh. The top-end Red Dark Edition is priced at approximately ₹19–20 lakh and comes with exclusive styling and premium equipment. (On-road prices may vary by city.)
Specifications
30 kWh battery (Creative & Fearless variants):

• 129 PS power
• Claimed driving range of up to 275 km
• 5 seats
• 350-litre boot space
• DC fast charging (10–80%) in about 56 minutes
  
  45 kWh battery (Empowered & Empowered Plus variants):
• 145 PS power
• Claimed driving range of up to 489 km
• 5 seats
• 350-litre boot space
• DC fast charging (10–80%) in about 40 minutes

Pros

• One of the longest driving ranges in its segment
• Spacious cabin with a practical SUV design
• Feature-rich interior with dual digital displays and connected technology
• Excellent balance of city comfort and highway performance
• Strong safety package with multiple advanced features

Cons

• Long-range variants are considerably more expensive
• Real-world range is lower than the claimed figure
• Some premium features are limited to higher variants

Best For

• Families looking for a long-range electric SUV
• Buyers who frequently travel on highways
• Daily office commuters with longer driving needs
• First-time EV buyers seeking a feature-rich SUV
• Anyone looking for an all-round electric vehicle with strong range and performance

From affordable hatchbacks to long-range SUVs, India's EV market now offers options for every budget and lifestyle.
Choose the model that best matches your driving needs, budget, and preferred features for the best ownership experience.