India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market
India, like many other countries, is well positioned to benefit from the shift to zero-tailpipe emission electric driving. Road transportation is a major contributor to air pollution (over 30%), choking our towns, cities and villages across India. Diesel vehicles, in particular, diesel trucks and diesel buses, are significant sources for tailpipe emissions. But given the rise in the standard of living, since liberalisation, the demand for privately owned passenger cars has increased at an unprecedented pace, further worsening the air quality. India has more than 3 crores (30 million) cars releasing tailpipe emissions on its roads!
Though we have seen some improvements in air quality during the ongoing pandemic (as a result of lower vehicle traffic), India’s shift to electric driving will be key in achieving long-term higher air quality. Of course, apart from EVs, the continued development of green and renewable energy infrastructure will be key in achieving lower long-term air pollution. India has already demonstrated global leadership in regards to large-scale solar and wind projects! Hopefully, India will replicate the success with zero-emission electric vehicles.
Despite recent announcements and support from local and national government agencies in India, the EV market is still at a nascent stage, well, at least in terms of electric cars and electric vans. Two-wheel electric scooters and three-wheel electric rickshaws (e-rickshaws) have demonstrated a strong uptake, and India is poised to become a global leader in electric scooters and electric rickshaws (e-tuk). In fact, the ubiquitous e-rickshaw commands an impressive 83% of the Indian electric vehicle market. India currently has over 15 lakhs (1.5 million) e-rickshaws, with each EV playing a role in reducing tailpipe emissions on our roads in India.
Sales of passenger electric cars is still at an early stage. In FY2021, though the market witnessed a growth of nearly 110% from the previous year, the absolute volume of cars sold was only 5,905 electric cars. Currently there are less that 15 pure electric car models available on sale in India.
Tata Motors, the biggest automotive manufacturer in India has launched the Tata Nexon electric SUV. Mahindra Electric, another leading Indian automotive manufacturer, has also launched a number of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), to include, the Mahindra eVerito electric car, Mahindra eSupro electric van and Mahindra e2o Plus compact electric car. International manufacturers, like UK based MG Motors, have also launched the MG ZS electric SUV in India. Also available are the all-electric Jaguar I-PACE SUV and the Hyundai Kona electric SUV.
For those keen on an overview of the types of electric vehicles (EVs), simply scroll down to the end of the article.
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Volkswagen Golf 8 PHEV Hatchback
Volkswagen AG, the Germany automotive group is one of the leading automotive companies in the global electric vehicle (EV) industry. Volkswagen has committed to an investment up to Euro 30 billion by 2023. It aims to sell 3 million electric vehicles by 2025 and launch up to 70 new EV models over the next 10 years. The VW EVs include:
- The all-electric ID.3
- The all-electric ID.4
- The all-electric ID.4 GTX
- The all-electric e-up!
- Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid Saloon
- Passat GTE Plug-In Hybrid Estate
- Touareg R Plug-In Hybrid
- Golf Plug-In Hybrid
The Volkswagen Golf 8 (Mk8) hatchback is the eight generation of the iconic VW Golf hatchback series. VW Golf cars have been sold since 1974. The Golf has won a number of prestigious motoring accolades over the past 6 decades. The latest iteration of this best-selling vehicle, the Golf 8, was launched in 2019 in Germany. The VW Golf plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is built on the Volkswagen MQB platform.
The Volkswagen Golf PHEV is worth considering for those keen on a more affordable entry into plug-in hybrid electric driving. The VW Golf EV has much to offer in terms of practicality and financial savings. The VW plug-in electric car competes in a very competitive segment i.e. small-sized family cars. Despite the intense competition, the PHEV is well placed relative to the competition.
The VW plug-in electric car has a 13 kWh onboard EV battery with a pure electric range up to 42 miles (certified WLTP). The higher performance VW Golf GTE PHEV has a claimed emission-free electric range up to 37 miles. Though the real-world EV range will be lower, possibly between 32 – 35 miles, the EV still offers a longer EV range compared to competitors in its segment.
The VW PHEV is not DC charging compatible (most PHEVs are not) and has a 3.6 kW onboard charger. Quite typical for a PHEV in this price segment. We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging and encourage charging via a dedicated home EV charger. The PHEV can be fully charged in 3 hours and 40 minutes. Using a domestic 3-PIN plug will take up to 5 hours to achieve a full charge.
The real-world 32 miles (plus) electric range is sufficient for most of our daily needs. In fact, the majority of motorists drive at an average 30 miles per day. So for all the shorter commutes to the school, high street, grocery store etc, driving on e-mode is a perfect fit! Even, for those that drive to work, driving on electric mode works well, as the electric car can be charged at home and at work (workplace EV charging)! For those weekend getaways, the petrol engine can be utilised for the longer drives.
Bottom-line, if you are not driving electric, you are not saving money. Moreover, driving in e-mode also further improves the efficiency of the electric vehicle. Volkswagen claims the PHEV has a fuel economy up to 313.9 mpg for the Style variant and up to 235.4 mpg for the GTE. Real-world economy will certainly be lower, but substantially better compared to the conventional internal combustion (ICE) variant (36.7 mpg).
In terms of performance, the VW Golf PHEV delivers a decent experience. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine is paired with an electric motor (80 kW). The front-wheel drive plug-in electric car can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds for the GTE. The top speed of the EV is 140 mph. The total system performance for the GTE is 245 PS and 250 Nm torque. Certainly suitable for city and motorway driving. Of course, do keep in mind that the EV also benefits from instant torque.
Though the boot space (273 L) has been reduced in size to accommodate the onboard EV battery, the PHEV is family-friendly in terms of practicality, offering adequate interior space, legroom and headroom. The EV has a good level of equipment and safety features. Depending on the variant, the following come as standard: lane assist, traffic jam assist, emergency assist, lane change system side assist, rear traffic alert and exit warning system, multifunction front facing camera for distance control, “Discover Media” navigation system, digital cockpit pro – 10.25″ high resolution and more.
The EV has claimed tailpipe emissions up to 25g CO2/km. Again, substantially lower than the emissions of the conventional combustion engine variant. The Volkswagen Golf plug-in hybrid is not available in India.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| A practical and spacious family hatchback that is environment-friendly | Boot size impacted by onboard EV battery |
| Hot-hatchback power | Cheaper plug-in hybrid alternatives |
| Decent zero-emission electric range | Onboard charger limited to 3.6 kW |
Gallery
The Volkswagen Golf 8 PHEV (credit: VW)
Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is cheaper than driving a petrol or diesel vehicle. As an example, in India, filling a full tank of fuel for the internal combustion engine (ICE) Tata Nexon SUV will cost up to Rs 5,000 (assuming an average cost per litre of Rs 100. The Tata Nexon has a fuel tank capacity of 44 L).
In comparison, the Tata Nexon Pure Electric SUV will cost less than Rs 300 for a full EV battery charge (EV Battery size: 30.2 kWh). In India, the average cost for residential electricity is between Rs 5 to Rs 10 per kWh(unit). Therefore the cost to drive per km (or mile) in a pure electric vehicle is substantially lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle.
At an average one can expect a cost per km of Rs 1 for a zero-emission EV, while for an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle, the cost per km could be up to Rs 7 per km. The annual cost savings achieved by switching to electric driving is significant!
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Vehicle Type: | Hatchback |
| Engine: | Petrol/Electric |
| Available In India: | No |
| Trim (2 Options) |
|---|
| Style |
| GTE |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 13.0 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100% SOC: 3 hrs and 40 mins) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 21 – 25g (CO2/km) |
| Battery Warranty: | 3 years or 60,000 miles |
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging DC (50 kW+): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+): | 0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW): | 0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1482 |
| Width (mm): | 1789 |
| Length (mm): | 4284 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2629 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 10.9 |
| Boot capacity (L): | 273 |
| Golf 8 Style 1.4 TSI eHybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 13.0 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 42 miles |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 313.9 (combined) |
| EV Operation Efficiency (Wh/km): | 137.07 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100% SOC: 3 hrs and 40 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 137 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 7.4 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
| Max Power (PS): | 204 |
| Torque (Nm): | 250 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,590 |
| Colours: | 10 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
| Golf 8 GTE 1.4 TSI eHybrid | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 13.0 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 37 miles |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 235.4 (combined) |
| EV Operation Efficiency (Wh/km): | 144.65 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger 3.6 kW AC (0% – 100% SOC: 3 hrs and 40 mins) |
| Top Speed: | 140 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 6.7 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Electric Motor (kW): | 80 |
| Max Power (PS): | 245 |
| Torque (Nm): | 250 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Unladen Weight (kg): | 1,624 |
| Colours: | 8 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)
“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:
- BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
- PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
- MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
- FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)
The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.
Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.
BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.
On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine. With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres. No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.
PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars. MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.
The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.
FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.
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