Tata Tiago EV: The Cheapest Electric Car with 315 km Range and Premium Tech

By Karanth

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Tata Tiago EV

Overview

The Tata Tiago EV is a game-changer in the Indian electric vehicle market, standing as the most affordable electric hatchback while offering an impressive certified range of up to 315 km. Launched by Tata Motors, this compact urban EV combines stylish design with practical features like multiple charging options, a liquid-cooled battery pack, and modern cabin technology, democratizing electric mobility for the mass market and setting a new benchmark for entry-level electric cars.

Introduction

The electric vehicle (EV) landscape in India has reached a major inflection point, largely due to Tata Motors’ aggressive push to electrify its popular lineup. Taking the lead in this “electric evolution” is the newly launched Tata Tiago EV, which was officially unveiled in late September 2022.

The Tiago EV is not just an electrified version of the popular petrol hatchback; it represents a significant step forward in making EVs truly accessible to the mass-market consumer. As the company’s third major passenger EV, following the Nexon EV and Tigor EV, the Tiago EV has a singular focus: affordability and practicality.

What truly sets this model apart are its special features, especially at its price point. It is the first vehicle in its segment to offer two distinct battery pack options—a Medium Range (MR) and a Long Range (LR)—catering to both city dwellers and those with occasional longer commutes.

Furthermore, it incorporates features previously reserved for premium EVs, such as a water-and-dust resistant IP67-rated battery and motor, multiple regenerative braking modes, and fast charging capability, all packaged into a sleek, compact city car. This combination of range, features, and price has cemented the Tiago EV’s status as a disruptor in the Indian automotive sector. The car promises a smooth, silent driving experience coupled with the benefit of ultra-low running costs, making it a compelling choice for first-time EV buyers and city commuters alike. The success of this model is critical for driving mass adoption of electric mobility in the country.

Exterior and Interior Design

The Tiago EV maintains the familiar, well-regarded silhouette of the standard Tiago hatchback but introduces subtle, futuristic styling cues to highlight its electric identity. The design philosophy is modern, energetic, and urban-focused.

Exterior Highlights

The exterior design is instantly recognizable but receives the signature ‘EV blue’ treatment.

  • Closed-off Grille: The front end features a stylish, closed-off glossy black panel replacing the traditional grille, adorned with the ‘EV’ badge and blue accents. This gives it a cleaner, more modern EV face.
  • Blue Highlights: Blue elements are strategically placed on the fog lamp bezels, the Tata logo, and the tailgate, signifying its electric powertrain and providing an aesthetic link to the Tata EV family.
  • New Wheel Design: Depending on the variant, the car comes with new Hyperstyle wheels or alloy wheels designed to be aerodynamic, which aids in maximizing the driving range by reducing drag.
  • Dual-Tone Options: Top-end variants are available with an attractive dual-tone roof to enhance the car’s sporty appeal and visual presence on the road.
  • Automatic Headlamps: The lights will switch on or off automatically based on the ambient light conditions (e.g., when driving into a tunnel or at dusk). (Available on higher variants)
Automatic Headlamps
  • Follow-Me-Home Headlamps: These lights stay on for a short duration after the car is locked, providing illumination to help the occupants safely reach their destination (e.g., their home door). (Available on higher variants)
  • DLR Design: The DRLs often feature a distinctive and modern design (sometimes incorporating Tata’s signature “Tri-Arrow” elements in the surrounding trim), which visually distinguishes the EV model from its ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) counterpart and gives the car a sharper, more contemporary look.
  • Boot Space: The Tata Tiago EV offers a practical boot space of 240 litres. This 240-litre area is sufficient for daily needs such as grocery shopping, school bags, or fitting a couple of medium-sized cabin bags for a short weekend trip.
Boot Space
  • Available Colors: The car is offered in five vibrant color options, including Teal Blue, Daytona Grey, Pristine White, Midnight Plum, and Tropical Mist, allowing customers a variety of stylish choices.

Interior Features and Comfort

The cabin of the Tiago EV takes a notable leap in terms of features and perceived quality compared to its conventional fuel counterpart. The overall design is spacious for its segment and features a light, airy ambiance.

  • Premium Upholstery: The seats come with new leatherette upholstery and a distinctive Y-shaped pattern, adding a touch of premium feel and comfort for occupants.
Premium Upholstery
  • Blue Interior Accents: Consistent with the exterior, blue accents are found around the air-conditioning vents, instrument cluster, and gear selector rotary knob, reinforcing the EV theme and giving the cabin a youthful, high-tech look.
  • Driver Comfort: The steering wheel is a flat-bottom unit (in top variants), which is both modern and practical. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable, allowing for a comfortable driving position, and the inclusion of a fully automatic transmission simplifies city driving.
Driver Comfort
  • Climate Control: The car features automatic climate control, a key comfort feature for a car in this segment, ensuring quick and efficient cooling.
  • Build Quality: Tata Motors is known for its sturdy build quality, and the Tiago EV continues this legacy. The use of high-quality, durable plastics is evident, and the fit-and-finish are competitive, lending a solid feel to the cabin. Furthermore, the battery packaging ensures that the interior space is largely uncompromised, maintaining the practicality of the original hatchback.
Build Quality

Battery and Performance

The Tiago EV’s powertrain is its biggest highlight, offering a rare choice between two different battery packs to suit varying budgets and needs, both utilizing the reliable Ziptron technology.

Battery Capacity and Range

The car is available with two different lithium-ion battery packs, both of which are IP67-rated for superior resistance to dust and water ingress, ensuring reliability even in harsh weather conditions.

  1. Medium Range (MR): Equipped with a 19.2 kWh battery, it offers an ARAI-certified driving range of 250 km. This variant is perfectly suited for daily city commuting.
  2. Long Range (LR): Equipped with a larger 24 kWh battery, it boasts an ARAI-certified driving range of 315 km. This range provides greater peace of mind for longer weekend trips and inter-city travel.

Motor Power and Acceleration

The electric motor delivers instant torque, making the car nimble and quick in city traffic.

  • Medium Range (MR) Power: The MR version generates 61 PS (45 kW) of power and 110 Nm of peak torque.
  • Long Range (LR) Power: The LR version generates more power at 75 PS (55 kW) and 114 Nm of peak torque, providing a more energetic driving experience.
  • Acceleration: The LR variant can sprint from 0 to 60 km/h in a swift 5.7 seconds. This instant pickup is a hallmark of EV driving and makes the Tiago EV highly responsive.

Charging Times

The Tiago EV offers versatility in charging, supporting four different charging methods.

Charging
  • DC Fast Charging: The most convenient option is the DC fast charger (using the CCS2 standard), which can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in just 58 minutes for both the MR and LR batteries.
  • 7.2 kW AC Charger: This option (available with higher-end variants for home installation) fully charges the LR battery (10% to 100%) in approximately 3.6 hours.
  • 3.3 kW AC Charger: Using the standard wall box charger, the LR battery takes about 6.9 hours for a full 10% to 100% charge, ideal for overnight charging at home.
  • 15A Plug Point: Charging via a regular home plug point takes the longest, requiring around 8.7 hours for the MR battery and 12 hours for the LR battery (10% to 100%).

Table: Battery & Performance

FeatureMedium Range (MR) SpecificationLong Range (LR) Specification
Battery Capacity19.2 kWh24 kWh
ARAI Claimed Range250 km315 km
Motor Power61 PS (45 kW)75 PS (55 kW)
Peak Torque110 Nm114 Nm
0-60 km/h (LR)N/A5.7 seconds
DC Fast Charge (10%-80%)58 minutes58 minutes
7.2 kW AC Charging (10%-100%)Approx. 3.2 hoursApprox. 3.6 hours

Variants and Price

The Tata Tiago EV is strategically offered in multiple trims across both battery sizes, ensuring there is a variant for every budget. The starting price immediately made it the most affordable passenger EV in India at the time of its launch. All prices listed below are introductory ex-showroom prices and are subject to change based on state subsidies and current tax structures.

Table: Variants & Price

VariantBattery (kWh)Range (ARAI)Ex-Showroom Price (Approx.)
XE19.2 (MR)250 km₹8.69 Lakh
XT19.2 (MR)250 km₹9.29 Lakh
XT24 (LR)315 km₹10.24 Lakh
XZ+24 (LR)315 km₹10.84 Lakh
XZ+ Tech Lux24 (LR)315 km₹11.24 Lakh
XZ+ Tech Lux (7.2kW AC)24 (LR)315 km₹11.79 Lakh

Note: Prices are based on the initial introductory offer and serve as a reference point. Please check official website only.

Safety and Technology

In line with Tata Motors’ strong focus on occupant protection, the Tiago EV is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and technology features, making it a well-rounded package.

Safety Features

The car adheres to high safety standards, incorporating both passive and active safety systems.

  • Standard Airbags: Dual front airbags are standard across all variants, providing essential protection for the driver and co-passenger in the event of a collision.
Standard Airbags
  • Braking Systems: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) ensures controlled and effective braking, especially under hard-braking scenarios or on slippery surfaces.
  • Structural Integrity: The Tiago platform is known for its solid build quality, which has contributed to high safety ratings for the ICE version. The EV version benefits from this structural strength, with the battery pack also providing additional structural rigidity to the chassis.
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Available in the top-end trims, TPMS provides real-time monitoring of tire pressure. This not only increases safety by preventing blowouts but also helps in maintaining optimal efficiency and range.
  • IP67 Rating: The motor and battery pack are both IP67-rated, protecting them from dust and water damage. This makes the car safe to drive even through heavy rains or flooded streets.

Technology and Infotainment

The Tiago EV offers a modern, connected experience that rivals vehicles in a higher price bracket, adding significant value for the tech-savvy consumer.

  • Infotainment Screen: Higher variants feature a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system by Harman, a highly-regarded audio brand. The system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring seamless smartphone connectivity.
Infotainment Screen
  • Connected Car Tech (ZConnect): The car is equipped with Tata’s ZConnect connected car technology, offering over 45 features. These include remote AC on/off, location-based services, remote vehicle diagnostics, charge status monitoring, and geo-fencing safety alerts, all accessible via a smartphone app.
  • Cruise Control: A highly sought-after feature, cruise control is available on the Long Range variants, greatly enhancing comfort during long-distance or highway driving by maintaining a constant speed automatically.
  • Regenerative Braking: A key EV technology, the Tiago EV features four levels of regenerative braking (Regen 0 to 3), which can be toggled via paddle shifters. This allows the driver to efficiently recapture kinetic energy and store it back in the battery, thereby maximizing the driving range, especially in stop-and-go city traffic.

Warranty and After-Sales Support

Tata Motors offers robust warranty packages for the Tiago EV, providing long-term peace of mind to buyers transitioning to electric mobility.

Vehicle and Battery Warranty

ComponentWarranty Period
Vehicle (Standard)3 years or 1,25,000 km (whichever is earlier)
Battery Pack & Motor8 years or 1,60,000 km (whichever is earlier)

The 8-year warranty on the battery and motor is a clear indicator of Tata Motors’ confidence in its Ziptron powertrain technology and is standard across all variants, helping to alleviate long-term battery concerns for new EV owners.

After-Sales Service

Tata Motors has been diligently expanding its service network to handle its growing EV portfolio. They have dedicated EV service centers across major cities, providing specialized maintenance and repair services for electric components. The company’s widespread dealership and service network ensures that after-sales support remains easily accessible to owners, mitigating potential range and service anxiety. Furthermore, the company offers a robust 24×7 roadside assistance service specifically tailored for its EV lineup.

Launch Details

The Tata Tiago EV was initially launched in the final week of September 2022.

  • Booking and Launch: Bookings commenced shortly after the launch, with the company receiving an overwhelming initial response, prompting them to cap the introductory pricing period for the first 20,000 customers.
  • Delivery Timelines: Vehicle deliveries started shortly after the first batch of bookings closed, with priority given to customers who had placed early orders.
  • Availability: The Tiago EV is available across the country, with sales and service concentrated in the major metropolitan cities and state capitals where the EV charging infrastructure is most established. Tata Motors is actively working to ensure that the vehicle is available in all regions served by its standard passenger vehicle network.

Official Company Website

For the most up-to-date information on prices, offers, and booking, please visit the manufacturer’s official EV portal: Tata EV Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the price range of the Tata Tiago EV?

The introductory ex-showroom price of the Tata Tiago EV starts from approximately ₹8.69 Lakh for the base Medium Range (MR) variant and goes up to around ₹11.79 Lakh for the top-end Long Range (LR) variant with the 7.2 kW AC fast charger option

What is the driving range of the Tata Tiago EV?

The driving range varies based on the battery pack chosen: the Medium Range (MR) variant has an ARAI-certified range of 250 km, while the Long Range (LR) variant has a higher ARAI-certified range of 315 km per full charge.

How long does charging take for the Tata Tiago EV?

Using a DC fast charger (CCS2), the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 58 minutes for both battery options. Using the dedicated 3.3 kW AC wall box charger, the Long Range battery takes about 6.9 hours (10% to 100%).

Is the Tata Tiago EV available across India?

Yes, the Tata Tiago EV is available for purchase and service across India. However, initial sales and service infrastructure are concentrated in major cities and areas where the Tata Motors EV service network and charging stations have been established.

Does the Tiago EV offer a frunk (front trunk)?

No, unlike some other EVs, the Tata Tiago EV does not feature a frunk (storage space under the bonnet). The space is utilized by the car’s electronic and motor components.

Which safety rating does the Tata Tiago EV have?

While the Tiago EV’s specific Global NCAP crash test rating is yet to be announced, the ICE-powered Tata Tiago has a 4-star safety rating. The EV version is built on the same strong platform and comes with standard dual airbags and ABS with EBD.

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