We rank electric cars and SUVs based on their claimed range figures as per the WLTP cycle.
Published On Mar 22, 2024 04:26:00 PM
It’s safe to say that the EV scene in India is no longer in its nascency. Charging infrastructure has been growing steadily, EVs themselves have become a lot more affordable and accessible, and there’s growing acceptance among car buyers too – thanks to rising fuel prices and green credentials associated with electric mobility. However, range anxiety continues to stop many buyers from opting for EVs.
There are quite a few EVs in India now which provide sufficient range on a single charge, enough even for highway runs. We compile a list of 10 electric cars and SUVs that boast the longest claimed range on a single charge. Do note that this list has been ranked based on cars tested on the stringent WLTP cycle, and not ARAI, which is a more relaxed testing cycle. So naturally, the list focuses on the premium end of the EV range in India.
10. Kia EV6 – 528km
Price – Rs 60.95 lakh-Rs 65.95 lakh
Kia’s first electric model in India is also the carmaker’s flagship EV. The EV6 is based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform, which means it is a sibling to the Ioniq 5. However, both models have slightly different specifications and unlike the Hyundai, the EV6 comes to India as a full import, which is why it is pricier. Packing in a sole 77.4kWh battery pack, it is available in a single-motor, rear- wheel-drive guise making 229hp and 350Nm of torque, and in a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive guise making 325hp and 605Nm. The maximum range for the EV6 is 528km on the WLTP cycle.
The EV6 is a premium crossover that looks like nothing else on the road, and is quite a performer too. You can read our review of the Kia EV6 here, or watch our video here.
9. Rolls Royce Spectre – 530km
Price – Rs 7.5 crore
The Spectre is the first ever EV from Roll Royce and the most expensive passenger electric vehicle on sale in India with prices starting at Rs 7.5 crore before options. The ultra luxury vehicle gets an interior that is similar to other Rolls Royce models present on sale.
The Spectre is equipped with a 102kWh battery pack that has a claimed range of 530km as per the WLTP cycle. The battery can be charged from 10-80 percent in just 34 minutes using a 195kW charger.It gets a two electric motor setup – one on each axle- that makes total power output of 585hp and 900Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds.
8. Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV – 550km
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Price- Rs 1.39 crore
The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV was launched in India last year and the all-wheel-drive electric SUV has a WLTP certified range of 550km, with a 90.56kWh battery pack. It’s available only in a single trim, and gets features such as ADAS, a 15-speaker Burmester sound system and massage functions for the front seats, to name a few. The dual motor setup puts out 408hp and 858Nm, which allows the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV to accelerate from 0-100 kph in a claimed time of 4.9 seconds.
7. BYD Seal – 570 km
Price – Rs 41 lakh – Rs 53 lakh
BYD’s latest product for the India market is the Seal. The electric sedan is available with multiple powertrain and battery pack options. There’s a base variant that has a single motor, rear-wheel drive setup and a 61.44kWh battery pack. There’s also a larger 82.56kWh battery pack that’s available on two more variants, one with an all-wheel-drive setup and another with RWD. Combination of the bigger battery pack and RWD only gives the mid-spec Premium variant a WLTP certified range of 570km. We had a chance to review this electric sedan on Indian roads, click here to read our review.
6. Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic+ – 586km
Price – Rs 2.45 crore
The Mercedes-AMG EQS is the brand’s flagship EV on sale in India. The powerful electric sedan gets a dual electric motor setup that puts out 761hp in Race Start mode, and with boost function activated, the maximum torque produced stands at 1020Nm. The brand claims that the EQS 53 can go from 0-100 in 3.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250kph. The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4Matic gets a 107.8 kWh battery that supports DC fast charging of speeds up to 200kW and has a WLTP certified range of 586km.
5. BMW i4 – 590km
Price – Rs 73.90 lakh-Rs 77.50 lakh
The i4 was BMW’s second EV for India, however, unlike the iX, it’s not a born EV – it’s an all-electric derivative of the 4 Series Gran Coupe (not sold in India), which itself is a four-door coupe based on the 3 Series we’re familiar with. India gets the i4 in eDrive40 guise with a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels. The motor produces 340hp and 430Nm, drawing power from an 83.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows for a WLTP range of 590km.
The biggest pull comes courtesy of a tempting price tag. The i4 is in the same price band as the sporty M340i and larger 5 Series, and you still get a rewarding driving experience with a fantastic range that’s not being offered by any other luxury EV maker at this price. You can read our review of the i4 here, or watch our video review here.
4. Porsche Macan Turbo – 591km WLTP
Price – Rs 1.65 crore
At the beginning of this year, Porsche unveiled an electric version of the Macan SUV. Its built on the brand’s new PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform, which is also shared with the Audi Q6 e-tron and the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV. The Macan Turbo is powered by two electric motors that produce a total of 639hp and up to 1,130Nm for short periods of overboost. This enables the electric SUV to go from 0-100kph in 3.3sec and reach a top speed of 260kph. The electric Macan uses a 95kWh battery that can be charged at speeds of up to 270kW
3. Lotus Eletre / Audi Q8 e-tron sportback – 600km WLTP
Lotus Eletre price – Rs 2.55 crore – Rs 2.99 crore
Audi Q8 e-tron price – Rs 1.14 crore – Rs 1.30 crore
Tied in third position are 2 luxury SUVs from Lotus and Audi. The Lotus Eletre and Eletre S get a 603hp dual-motor system that allows them to sprint from 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds. They’re available with a 112kWh battery, giving them a claimed range of 600km as per the WLTP cycle.
The Audi Q8 e-tron was launched in India last year, and while it’s available in 2 variants and 2 body styles, it’s the Q8 e-tron Sportback 55 variant that has the highest range of the lot with a WLTP certified range of 600km. The electric SUV gets a 114kWh battery and two electric motors that produce 340hp and 408hp in the 50 and 55 variants, respectively.
2. BMW i7 – 625km
Price – Rs 1.95 crore
The i7 is an all-electric derivative of the 7 Series, where the only visual differentiators are subtle blue accents on the exterior, and an “i” badge on the gargantuan front grille. Even the interior is identical on both models. Based on a modified CLAR architecture that’s shared with the regular 7 Series, BMW says, “The electric i7 is a 7 Series regardless of the drivetrain.”
Speaking of which, the i7 comes to India in an xDrive 60 variant that produces 544hp and 745Nm from its two electric motors, mounted on each axle. It packs a 101.7kWh lithium-ion battery that has a range between 591km-625km on the WLTP cycle.
The new i7 has everything that it takes to be among the best, most luxurious cars in the world, right alongside its ICE sibling. Earlier this year, we had the opportunity to drive the magnificent 7 in California, and you can read about it here or watch the video here.
1. Mercedes-Benz EQS – 677km
Price – Rs 1.55 crore-Rs 2.45 crore
Speaking of best cars in the world, we have arrived at the electric alternative of the Mercedes S-Class, the EQS. The sporty electric four-door ‘coupe’ has a WLTP range of 677km, therefore topping our list, while the EQS 53 has a WLTP range of 586km. It’s powered by a 107.8kWh battery with a dual motor set-up that produces 523hp and 855Nm.
It’s also worth mentioning that the EQS 580 has an even higher ARAI-claimed range of a massive 857km, while the EQS 53 is the most expensive EV on sale in India. You can read more about the the EQS 580’s driving experience here.
All prices ex-showroom, India.
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