Tata Punch EV may see a huge response

Tata Motors has been slowly and steadily upping its affordable electric vehicle (EV) range, and now, its popular compact SUV the Punch electric may be launched soon, which could see a phenomenal response in the passenger vehicles market and make the auto giant retain its top slot in India’s EV space by a wide margin, even in the long term.

The Punch EV will be showcased at the Auto Expo 2023, and production could start in June 2023 while the actual roll out may take place around the festive season beginning October 2023.

Tata Punch electric: What would it be like?

The Punch EV is set to be based on a new Sigma architecture, which is actually a heavily-modified version of the ALFA platform.

The Tata Punch EV may be priced just above
the Tiago EV -- Photo: Tata Motors.

It would be unlike any of Tata’s existing EVs that are directly converted from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric.

The ALFA architecture supports the ICE variant of the Tata Punch as well as the Altroz hatchback. It was designed keeping in mind electrification right from the beginning.

The Sigma architecture could witness some changes. These would be like removal of the transmission tunnel along with a modified fuel tank space so that a flat floor is created to accommodate a mega battery pack.

Sigma-based vehicles would be more energy efficient, lighter and also more spacious than any ICE car converted to an EV.

This is because the re-engineered platform has been optimised for electrification.

 

The Punch EV may use the powertrain utilised by Tata’s existing EVs. The permanent magnet synchronous motor is likely to propel the Punch’s front wheels.

The exact battery specifications are not known yet. But it is believed that Tata Motors may give multiple battery pack options, similar to the Nexon, Tiago and Tigor electric cars. This would help the auto giant offer the Punch at various price points.

The Punch EV may come with a slew of cosmetic upgrades such as refurbished bumpers, new wheels and coloured accents to make it different from its ICE counterpart.

Also, the interiors may be spruced up along with some new offerings, like a fresh upholstery, perhaps.

 

Pricing possibility

It is likely that Tata Motors will position the Punch EV in the category of compact SUVs. It could be priced above the Tiago and just below the Tigor EV.

The Punch electric may carry a price tag of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh (Rs 100,000 to Rs 150,000) above the ICE model’s highest variant — the top-end Punch AMT. The price of the EV may start from just below Rs 10 lakh (Rs 10,00,000).

 

Another Tata Punch — a CNG version!

Tata Motors has adopted a multi-powertrain plan to rev up its volumes, which is a commendable move.

We already have the Tiago and Tigor coming in three-fuel options — petrol, CNG and electric — and now, we may also see Tata Punch’s CNG version.

This year itself, Tata Motors unwrapped two electric car concepts – the Curvv and the Avinya. These are likely to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2023.

The Curvv is based on Gen 2 of the Nexon EV platform. On the other hand, the Avinya is underpinned by a ground-up EV skateboard architecture.

The Curvv, Avinya along with Sigma, will form the three concepts from where Tata Motors will see all its EVs roll out until 2030.

 

E-Vroooom’s views

So, the Punch EV will surely keep Tata Motors in the leadership position in India’s electric vehicle space in the long run and if other players fail to bring in affordable electric cars soon, Tata Motors’ sales numbers will leave them far behind.