After revealing the Nexon EV on December 20, 2019, and opening bookings for it a day later, Tata Motors has now launched its second, all-electric model in India. The subcompact, zero-emissions SUV arrives in three trim levels – XM, XZ+ and XZ+ Luxury. Their introductory prices, in the same order, are Rs 13.99 lakh, Rs 14.99 lakh and Rs 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom India). In India, it officially becomes the third pure-electric SUV. To begin with, Tata Motors will sell the Nexon EV in 23 locations. Given below is the list:

For the record, that list is much longer than where Hyundai offers the Kona Electric (11) and MG Motor India currently sells the ZS EV (5). As time passes by, more cities will join the list for all those models. Coming back to the Nexon EV, it is also the least expensive of the three. And with ARAI-certified range of 312km, it isn’t too far away from what MG’s EV has to offer (340km). With 452km range on a single charge, it is the South Korean product that remains the undisputed king in this regard.

The newcomer boasts a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 127bhp/245Nm and a single-speed transmission. The power-plant gets its juices from a 30.2 kWh battery which, along with the electric motor, comes with a warranty of 8 years/1,60,000km. For the rest of the car, the standard warranty is 3 years/125,000km. Those who like to plant the pedal to the metal, the Nexon EV can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 9.9 seconds.

Like its competitors, the Nexon EV also supports charging via AC and DC feeds. Using a recommended charger and a DC feed, the SUV can replenish its battery from zero to 80 per cent in about an hour. Another way to charge the battery is to find a regular 15amp socket and plug the car in. As per Tata Motors, the Nexon EV could take nearly 8 hours to reach an 80 per cent charge level from 20 per cent. In case the SUV runs out of juice before reaching a charging station, there’s on-demand mobile charging on offer. Currently, that’s available in five cities only – Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Apart from offering an emissions-free way of moving about, the Nexon EV also packs loads of kit. As standard, it comes with stuff like automatic climate control, dual airbags, two drive modes, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, 35 connected car features through ZConnect app and push-button start. The mid-level trim, XZ+, ropes in gizmos like a 7.0-inch infotainment system, fog lamps with cornering ability, a rear-view camera and 16-inch alloy wheels. If you want features like an electric sunroof, auto headlamps and wipers, and leatherette seat upholstery, the range-topper XZ+ Luxury is for you.

The Nexon EV is quite a package, considering how it compares with the competition in terms of price. Also, it is available in more than twice the number of locations as the second-placed electric SUV. What do you think of the Nexon EV? Will it click with customers to quicken-up the transition process (ICE to EVs)?