[2143]

> EVs are definitely going to remain a first-world item for my lifetime at least.

In India there are some relatively cheap EVs on sale, and they're all picking up stream.

By cheap, this is what I mean: the price of Tata Nexon EV is slightly over the price of Hyundai Accent (called "Verna" over here) and maybe equivalent to the price of a Kia Seltos. The Nexon EV is now a fairly common sight in Indian cities.

Then there's the slightly more expensive MG ZS EV, which at this point I'm seeing on the roads fairly frequently.

Haven't seen too many Hyundai Kona on the road. Tesla is unfortunately not in India yet. There are some super-expensive EV models from Mercedes and the likes, but those are very expensive.

(Disclaimer: I'm NOT affiliated in any way with any of the brands I mentioned).

[King-Aaron]

While they are starting to sell more EVs in India, as soon as you travel even half an hour outside of a major city the infrastructure gets... rather average. While people who live in New Delhi will be able to charge their car, that's not the case in the majority of the country.

[theshrike79]

It's way easier to charge your EV in rural areas using local small scale wind/solar/hydro than it is to lug around immense amounts of liquid fuel to said remote areas.

You don't need hectares of panels to charge an electric rickshaw or a scooter.

[spaceman_2020]

You have to keep in mind that India’s best selling cars are usually under the 8 lakh price barrier. EVs are not there yet, but its only a matter of time before they go under that mark.

[kumarvvr]

Tata is releasing Tiago EV in 2023, starting at 8.5 lakhs.

[vel0city]

Tesla will have cars capable of driving across the country 100% autonomously by 2018.

Maybe The Tiago EV will ship for 8.5 lakhs, but I'll believe it once I actually see meaningful shipments at that price. Cool if they do though, don't get me wrong. But plenty of promises in the car industry get left at just promises.

[kumarvvr]

I don't think you know how India works.

Tata has awesome reputation. Also, they have a 23000 USD Car, 17000 USD car and now they are taking bookings for this.

Also, the said car already has a gas version. This EV version is modified version of that, the exact thing they did with the other 2 EV cars (Both have gas versions)

Check out their website. Its not a concept car. It has actual production facilities and will be modified for EV versions.

[vel0city]

I don't doubt the car will exist. I just wonder what the price will be when it ships in volume. Prices seem extremely variable these days.

I guess it would have been better to show the Model 3's $35k price point as example. Or the massive hikes the Mach E has had. Keeping car prices low has been challenging, especially EVs.

Good on them if they can keep those prices low for a while though!

[fragmede]

Different countries entirely. Tata's vehicles may undergo some price inflation, but they're not suddenly going to become $50k vehicles intended for the US market. As for Tesla, why on Earth would they bother selling a $35k car when they're having trouble keeping the $45k one in stock? Same with the Mach-E and the F150 lightning.

[imposter]

And it's a no brainer from that point onwards. No need of being stuck at CNG pumps, no clutch, fully smooth automatic. Adoption is gonna happen fast.

[spaceman_2020]

The no clutch and better performance is a huge plus, and I don’t think Indians truly realize it because most haven’t driven decent automatic cars.

There are absolutely NO good cars with CVT or DCT transmission under 10 lakh. There used to be one model, Maruti Baleno, but that’s now switched to AMT instead.

If I can get CVT-like performance (or really, much better) for under 10L, I’ll take it. The EV is just the cherry on top.

[kumarvvr]

In cities, Nexon EV has become a common sight. And Tata has made good effort to ensure EV and Non-EV look and feel the same.