Tata Punch EV: Electric vehicles in India have certainly come a long way. Quirky and impractical has gone mainstream. And in the thick of this electric revolution there’s the Tata Punch EV—a compact, urban-friendly SUV that doesn’t just offer you a clean conscience.
Already the Punch was in demand in the petrol guise. And now, with the EV badge and all-electric powertrain, it has soared a level higher. It’s just as compact and sleek, but silent, efficient and future-proofed as can be.
So let’s delve a little bit deeper into what makes this tiny young electric SUV tick — and where it still has room to grow.
Design Small S.U.V., Large Presence
Tata Punch EV Sprint Blue Punch EV retains some of the styles of its petrol sibling but it with a touch of futuristic flair added.
EV-specific touches are easy to spot—the slim line of LED DRLs, air-slicing closed grille, resculpted bumper, a smattering of blue accents that scream “electric” without throwing the party of color that is hot pink.
It remains boxy and high off the ground, which makes the compact vehicle feel somewhat SUV-like. On road, or rougher off-road terrain, the Punch EV looks like it can handle anything you throw at it.
Interior: More of the Same, Tweaked
Inside it, things will seem kind of familiar if you have been in a plain old Punch – but there’s a twist of premium. The 10.25-inch touchscreen (on higher trims), fully digital instrument cluster and touch-based HVAC controls all make the cabin appear futuristic.
Tata has also worked on the fit and finish, and one can see that the interior looks more upmarket.
There’s good room up front and even in back, with good headroom and legroom, for a car in this category. And thanks to the EV architecture, rear passengers enjoy a flat floor (and a little more comfort). The twelve-adrift boot is also pretty handy for town use.
Performance: Zippy and Quiet
The Punch EV is available in two trims- Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR). The MR comes with a 25 kWh battery, the LR 35 kWh.
The figures aren’t as bad as being somewhat respectable— around 315 km for the MR and as far as 421 km for LR, according to MIDC.
In real-world driving, you’ll see a little bit less, but still enough for most people commuting during the week and hitting the road for long weekend trips.
Performance is lively. It’s about as far from a rocket as you can get, but the instant torque delivery makes passing and threading through traffic a breeze.
The drive modes — Eco, City and Sport — let you adjust the driving experience to better suit your preference for how to drive, and your desire to conserve power.
Ride Quality & Handling:
Urban-Comfortable The Wrangler has come a long way from its roots as a military and work truck.
The Punch EV behaves like a champion on city roads. And the suspension is well metered, for even in a fractured surface you feel comfortable.
The steering is light at low speeds — great for squeezing into tight parking spots, and firms up well as the speed rises. Its smallish size also works well in tight urban traffic jams.
Regenerative braking is another thoughtful feature — it helps the car recover the energy used to slow down and you can adjust it to one of the four intensity levels too. It’s subtle but it all helps with efficiency over time.
Features and Tech
Tata hasn’t held back here. 360-degree cameras, connected car tech (ZConnect), auto headlamps, wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, fast charging support – as a modern, feature-rich 400V EV, the Punch EV feels well-prepped.
And in the higher trims, other than supporting vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging—a handy if not essential feature in emergencies.
Pros
SUV styling, with upgrades for the EV market
Innovative real-world ranges (up to 421 km)
Immediate and smooth power in the city
Filled with features and dude tech
Safest car in its category for an EV (anticipated 5-star safety rating)
Cons
Top-end versions can verge on the expensive side for a subcompact EV
No sunroof even in top trim
In many cities, chargers are still proliferating
No ventilated seats
Little battery drain AC in reignous traffic syndromes
Tata Punch EV: Final Verdict
The Tata Punch EV is more than another electric car – it’s a sign of how much Indian EVs have progressed. It’s a car that is useable, cool, feature-rich and fun to drive.
If you want something to pop your EV cherry, if you like SUVs, and if you need something super reliable and city smart, I think this little fighter is your game right here.
It’s electric, but it doesn’t seem completely out of reach — and that’s what makes it a game-changer.