Automobile Desk: The trend of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the Indian automobile market has changed rapidly. In the initial days, due to the high price, electric cars which seemed a little out of the reach of common people, are now gradually coming closer to every budget category. Falling battery costs, localisation, and recent new business models such as 'battery-as-a-service' (BaaS) have played a major role in reducing the initial price of EVs. In this sequence, the three major automobile manufacturers of the country—Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Kia—are all set to launch their affordable electric vehicles in the coming time.
Maruti Suzuki's entry-level electric hatchback
The country's largest car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki is now going to play a big bet in the segment of small EVs. The company is working on an extremely compact electric hatchback, which is likely to be introduced during the financial year 2026-27. Its size and shape can be easily estimated from the recently revealed spy pictures. This car will be built on the company's brand new 'K-EV' platform. With a length of approximately 3.39 metres, it will prove to be great to drive in city traffic and park easily. If reports are to be believed, it can be provided with a battery pack of 29kWh capacity, which once fully charged will cover a distance of about 270 kilometers. In terms of price, it can be the most affordable vehicle in Maruti's EV portfolio.
Hyundai's new compact electric SUV
Hyundai Motor India is also in no mood to lag behind in the budget EV segment. The company has confirmed to launch a new compact electric SUV in the Indian market by March 2027. It is believed that this new model will be inspired by the 'Hyundai Instar EV' sold in the global market. Customers can get two battery options (42kWh and 49kWh) in this SUV. With a large battery pack, this car will be capable of giving a range of more than 350 kilometers on a single charge. The cabin of the car will see the latest features like touchscreen infotainment system, digital driver display, over-the-air (OTA) updates, connected car technology and multiple airbags for safety.
Kia's locally made compact EV
Kia India is also rapidly expanding its electrified vehicle portfolio for the Indian market. The company plans to bring four new models to India, including hybrid vehicles along with an all-new compact electric SUV. The most special thing about this upcoming EV of Kia will be that it will be specially designed and assembled keeping in mind the Indian needs. Approximately 4.2 meters long, this SUV will be quite muscular in size. Due to local production, Kia can launch it at a very attractive and competitive price, which will lead to direct competition in the market.