KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Creta EV is close to reaching production stage and is set to be launched in Q4 2025.
- A second car based on the Inster EV will take on the Tata Punch EV.
- The Venue and the Grand i10 Nios are also likely to receive EV iterations.
Hyundai India is gearing up to launch more affordable, mass-market EVs in India, and as such, it is not only setting up a charging network across the country, but it has also tied up with Exide Energy for the localization of EV batteries. The Hyundai Creta EV is highly likely to be the first of four EVs planned for India.
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Hyundai India EV Offensive Details
Hyundai Creta EV
The Creta EV will likely be the first mass-market EV from Hyundai, and it is set to take on the likes of the MG ZS EV, the Tata Curvv EV, and the upcoming Maruti eVX, which will also make its debut sometime in 2025.
While details remain scarce for now, according to reports, the Creta EV is likely to receive a 45kWh battery pack. The motor will be placed at the front axle, and this setup should give it output figures comparable to its rivals. Reports suggest 132bhp and 255Nm of torque, which is on par with the current-gen Kona EV that is yet to be launched here. However, the Creta EV will be built on a re-engineered version of the K2 platform, which currently underpins the combustion-powered Creta.
In terms of design, while the Creta EV will obviously bear the familiar design of the standard Creta, bits such as a closed-off grille, revised lights, redesigned bumpers, and EV-specific alloy rims will help buyers differentiate between the two. The interiors of the car will also be similar, with the exception of a few tweaks.
Also read: More Details Of The Skoda Kylaq Before Its Global Reveal!
Inster-based Punch EV Rival
Hyundai is also planning a Punch EV rival based on the Inster EV that was revealed globally not too long ago. While globally the Inster EV comes with 42kWh and 49kWh battery pack options, we can expect them to be downsized slightly for the India-spec model.
Also read: Hyundai Inster EV to Be Priced At Rs 10 Lakh in India? Check Leaked Details
More EVs From Hyundai
The Korean car maker said it has planned three more EVs apart from the Creta EV, two of which we have already spoken about. There are rumours floating around the possibility of all-electric iterations of the Venue and the Grand i10 Nios.
An electric version of the Venue would make sense, considering that the Nexon EV is among the most popular EVs in the country today, and it belongs to the compact SUV segment as well. However, the current-gen Venue is unlikely to appear in an EV guise. The Venue is due for a generational upgrade, which could take place sometime in 2025. We can expect an all-electric Venue to make an appearance shortly after that.
Also read: Next-Gen Hyundai Venue Spotted For the First Time: Details
The Grand i10 Nios could also receive an all-electric version sometime in the future, which could compete against the Tiago EV. The Tata Tiago EV currently enjoys a segment with no direct rivals, and it has also become popular among small families and fleet operators alike.
Similar to how the combustion-powered Grand i10 Nios and the Exter are built on the same platform, the electric Grand i10 Nios and the Inster-based EV could also share a completely new platform.
Verdict
Hyundai has been concentrating on the premium end of EVs for quite a while, but it now looks set to enter the mass-market EV segment. There certainly is a need for more options on the more affordable end of the EV segment, and it will be interesting to see the feedback on Hyundai's electric products.
