KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The Seagull electric hatchback will be BYDs fourth offering in India after the e6 MPV, Atto3 crossover, and Seal sedan.
- Leapmotor is an all-new brand that has confirmed its debut in India under Stellantis, with TO3 set to be its most affordable product for India.
- The BYD Seagull and Leapmotor TO3, two affordable electric cars, are expected to be priced between Rs 8-12 lakh.
While the entry-level category is where most of the volumes for electric vehicles reside, the segment is currently restricted to two choices Tata Tiago.EV and MG Comet EV. Between these two affordable electric cars, the Tiago.EV has done wonders for its parent carmaker in sales numbers. This growth potential of compact entry-level electric hatchbacks encourages many carmakers to venture into this space. Among those carmakers are Chinese brands BYD and Leapmotor, which have confirmed to launch their affordable compact electric vehicles in India, which are as follows. Before we move further, don't forget to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group for the latest automotive updates.
BYD Seagull
BYD India has already gained popularity with the Atto3 crossover and Seal sedan in India's premium electric vehicle segment. However, the Chinese carmaker intends to increase its volumes in India by entering into the entry-level electric hatchback segment by launching the Seagull EV. Expected to be priced similarly to the Tata Tiago.EV, the BYD Seagull, is a four-door sub-four meter electric hatchback.
BYD first showcased the Seagull electric hatchback at the 2023 Shanghai Motor Show, and since then, it has gone on sale in Chinese and European car markets. Set to become BYD's most affordable electric vehicle in India, the Seagull is a modern-looking hatchback with a sleek design. The BYD Seagull will have several new-age features like LED headlamps, LED tail lamps with a connected LED light bar, a 5-inch full-TFT instrument console, and a 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Globally, the new BYD Seagull is on sale with two battery pack options a 30kWh battery with a 305 km range and a 38kWh battery with a 405 km range, in addition to a standard 100 bhp electric motor. The Indian car market will get the BYD Seagull with either of these two battery pack options in the coming months, in an expected price range of Rs 8-12 lakh.
Leapmotor TO3
The second of the two affordable electric cars that will compete with the Tata Tiago.EV and MG Comet EV in the entry-level EV category is the Leapmotor TO3. Stellantis Group has confirmed that it will launch the Leapmotor EV brand from China towards the end of 2024 in India. For now, two of the Leapmotor EVs the TO3 hatchback and C10 mid-size SUV have been confirmed for the Indian car market.
Among these two vehicles, the Leapmotor TO3 belongs to the entry-level category, with its dimensions in the ballpark of Tata Tiago.EV. With a funky design inside and out, the Leapmotor TO3 is a youthful-looking hatchback with modern features like an 8-inch TFT instrument console, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a colour-coded dashboard.
Currently on sale in China, the Leapmotor TO3 has a front-mounted 55kW electric motor with a maximum torque output of 155 Nm and a 36.5kWh battery with a maximum range of 403 km (NEDC-certified). For the Indian car market, the TO3 is expected to retain the motor and battery in the same ratings and possibly go on sale in multiple variants.
Verdict
The EV landscape is set for a make-over in India. The next 12 months will witness more than a dozen new electric cars, including affordable ones!
