Types of Electric Vehicles in India You Need to Know About

electric vehicle

Most consumers in India will consider buying an electric vehicle by 2022, according to a 2020 report by lubricant major Castrol, but most of them also agree that the majority of new cars purchased would not be electric until 2025.

There are also several upcoming electric vehicles in 2021. Take, for example, the Mahindra XUV300 Electric, an all-electric variant powered by a 130-hp electric motor with a 30-kWh battery to provide a single-charge range of over 300 km. Or the BMW i3, which is supposed to be lighter in the segment and to fly on a single charge for a distance of 128-150 km. The Tata Altroz EV will come with a 30 kWh battery that, on a single charge, will give a range of around 300 km. Triton Electric Vehicles, also based in the US, plans to launch its N4 sedan starting at Rs 35 lakh in India.

However, before learning more about the new launching or already launched electric vehicles, let us first understand the types of electric vehicles available in India.

There Three Different Types Of Electric Vehicles Available In India

  1. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs).
  2. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
  3. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).

Also, read| Introduction to Electric Vehicles in India

1- Hybrid Electric Vehicles And Their Examples

HEVs are a mixture of both traditional sources, i.e. petrol & diesel, and renewable sources, i.e. electricity, as the name implies. To recharge the battery, electrical energy is provided by the car’s braking system. ‘Regenerative braking,’ is a mechanism in which the electric motor helps slow the vehicle down and uses some of the energy that the brakes usually convert to heat.

Since there is already a range of electric vehicles on the market, ranging from electric cars, e-bikes, and e-buses to e-rickshaws and more, it is important to distinguish between them according to their nature.
The electric motor starts off the vehicle in HEVs and the petrol engine takes over as the load and speed grow. The engines are both powered by an internal computer.

The electric motor starts off the vehicle in HEVs and the petrol engine takes over as the load and speed grow. Both engines are controlled by an internal computer that guarantees the best economy for driving conditions.

Some examples of HEVs are-

Honda Accord Hybrid

The latest Accord Hybrid has numerous features that make it one of the most desirable cars in 2021. It has features like the hybrid powertrain, power flow monitor, and EV mode.

Price in India – 44,28,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 23.1 kmpl
Engine – 1993 cc
Fuel Type – Hybrid ( Electric+Petrol)

MG Motor ZS EV

The vehicle has a 44.5 kWh battery that delivers a range of approximately 340 km on a single charge. The ZS EV comes with a sky roof and an integrated air purifier. This electric car comes with projector headlamps, daytime running LED lights, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen system, a panoramic sunroof, Android Auto, and the likes of Apple Car Play.

Price in India – 23,58,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 340 km/full charge
Engine – Lithium-ion Battery
Fuel Type – Electric

2- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and their examples:

Both electricity and petrol powers these vehicles and are also known as Extended-range Electric Vehicles (EREVs). PHEV uses two ways to recharge the battery; one by regenerative braking and the other by plugging into an external charging station.

In electric mode, the emission is zero, but in ICE mode it is similar to other internal combustion engines (ICE)-run vehicles. PHEVs are more appropriate for driving around town.

Some examples of PHEVs are-

The Chevrolet Volt

This car has been produced for RHD (Right Hand Drive). A lightweight plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt has been a surprising success for GM. First and foremost, it works like an electric vehicle. In the current century, its range is more than 50 miles on electricity alone, working as a hybrid with a range of more than 300 miles when electrons are exhausted.

Price – 35,00,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 53 miles of EV Range
Engine – 1398 cc
Fuel Type – Electric

Toyota Prius

This is the latest version of the vehicle that became popular in Hollywood. And now, the government of India has pulled a fast one on it too! This is the new iteration of the Toyota Prius, a vehicle that brings hybrids on the global map single-handedly. Today, compared to the standard petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, hybrids are better for the environment because they are more fuel-efficient.

Price – 45,43,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 23.91 kmpl
Engine – 1798 cc
Fuel Type – Hybrid(Electric+Petrol)

3- Battery Electric Vehicles And Their Examples

These are fully electric vehicles that are powered entirely by electricity. Such cars are readily available on the market and are also gaining traction in sales. As they are more generally referred to, BEVs or EVs boast full-size batteries that are charged by plugging in. No toxic emissions and hazards caused by conventional fuel-powered cars are emitted by BEVs.

Some examples of BEVs are-

Mahindra E eVerito

The Mahindra Electric eVerito is an all-electric sedan by Mahindra. The sedan gets the direct-drive single-speed transmission channelizing power to front wheels, powered by a 3-phase 72V induction engine generating 30.5kW of power and 91Nm of torque. The 200Ah Li-ion battery is used to power the AC, headlamps, and music system. Via fast charging technology, the electric sedan can be charged at home and takes about one hour and 45 minutes for one full charge.

Price – 9,46,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 140 km/full charge
Engine – KWh Lithium-ion
Fuel Type – Electric

Hyundai KONA Electric

KONA Electric is the first all-electric SUV in India. It gives an exciting driving experience considering that they provide a very power-packed performance with high acceleration over long distances. Its features include Rear Fog Lamps, High-Speed Alerts, and Electronic Dual Shell Horn among many others.

Price – 25,03,000 Indian Rupees
Mileage – 452 km/full charge
Engine – KWh Lithium-ion Polymer
Fuel Type – Electric

Conclusion

Considering that these vehicles are fuel-saving and thus, reduces environmental impacts, the hype that these vehicles are getting is quite well deserved. Yet people are still hesitant when it comes to replacing their daily cars with electric ones, this is because there are comparatively fewer charging facilities for EVs in India.

However, it is said that by the end of this decade, most people will consider buying an EV instead of a fuel-consuming vehicle. Let’s hope that our country constructs more charging infrastructures in the future so that we can finally Go Green with EVs!

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