Mumbai:
In a move that could make petrol pumps slightly nervous and electricity meters slightly busier, Tata EV has launched the updated Punch.ev, aiming to accelerate mainstream electric-vehicle adoption in India’s entry-level SUV space.
Priced from ₹9.69 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the new Punch.ev targets first-time EV buyers as well as households looking for an affordable primary electric car. The company has also introduced a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option, allowing customers to buy the vehicle from ₹6.49 lakh plus battery usage at ₹2.6/km, lowering the initial purchase barrier.
Built to Solve India’s “EV Doubts List”
Tata EV says the new Punch.ev directly addresses the four big EV concerns — price, range, charging convenience and battery longevity.
According to Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility:
“With meaningful real-world range, fast charging capability, lifetime battery warranty and accessible pricing, the new Punch.ev resolves the key concerns that hold customers back from choosing an entry-level EV.”
In simpler terms: Tata wants buyers to spend less time worrying about charging stations and more time deciding where to go for chai.
Real-World Range Designed for Daily Use + Weekend Trips
Built on Tata’s dedicated acti.ev architecture, the Punch.ev now offers:
- 40 kWh LFP battery option
- ~355 km real-world C75 range
- 468 km ARAI-certified range
- Additional 30 kWh battery pack option
This positioning makes it suitable for both daily urban commutes and short intercity drives — something increasingly important as Indian families expect one car to handle everything from office runs to wedding road trips.
Fast Charging That Matches Your Tea Break
Charging performance has also been upgraded:
- 20% to 80% charge in 26 minutes
- 135 km range added in just 15 minutes
Which means the car could be ready before your roadside samosa order arrives — assuming the vendor isn’t too popular.
Lifetime Battery Warranty for Peace of Mind
One of the headline features is a Lifetime High-Voltage Battery Warranty with unlimited kilometres, aimed at reassuring first-time EV buyers concerned about long-term battery replacement costs.
The Punch.ev will be offered in three personas:
- Smart
- Adventure
- Empowered
Expanding Charging Ecosystem Across India
TATA.ev’s charging network now includes:
- 2.3 lakh+ charging points across 1,500 cities
- 30,000+ public chargers via 30+ operators
- 2,500+ “.ev Verified” reliable fast chargers
- 450+ superfast chargers across 130+ highway hubs
- Target: 800 highway chargers by FY26
Drivers can locate and pay for charging using the IRA.ev app, enabling real-time charger status tracking.
Why This Launch Matters
The Punch already holds a strong reputation in India’s compact SUV segment. With the updated electric version, Tata is attempting something bigger — pushing EV ownership from “future experiment” to “daily family reality”.
If successful, the Punch.ev could do for affordable EVs what the original Punch did for compact SUVs: make them feel normal.
And in the EV world, normal is the new revolutionary.
