Hyundai Creta Electric Is Soon Going To Get BIG Discounts: We Explain Why

The Hyundai Creta Electric, launched with the ambition to electrify India’s compact SUV market, is hitting a speed bump. While Hyundai’s reputation is rock solid and the ICE Creta remains a segment leader, early sales of the EV version are a different story. The numbers paint a picture of underwhelming performance, leading many to expect deep discounts in the months ahead.

Why the Creta EV Is Falling Behind Despite Hyundai’s Strong ICE Legacy

The petrol and diesel variants of the Creta have been on a winning streak, consistently selling 16,000–18,000 units a month. But the Creta Electric? Not quite. Since its launch, it has been averaging just around 600 units monthly-a far cry from what Hyundai might have hoped.

To understand the challenge, it’s important to compare the Creta Electric with direct EV rivals-not ICE/EV hybrids like the Tata Curvv, but full-fledged EV players in the same segment.

• Tata Nexon EV, one of India’s best-known electric SUVs, continues to clock around 3,000-4,000 units per month. It has become the default choice for many first-time EV buyers looking for a balance between range, price, and service support.

• MG Windsor EV, is also doing much better. Its smart pricing - starting from ₹9.99 lakh with a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model - has helped it maintain monthly sales of over 3,000–4,000 units, at times even emerging as India’s highest-selling EV.

By contrast, the Creta EV, priced between ₹17.99 lakh and ₹24.37 lakh (ex-showroom), comes across as an expensive option - especially when buyers look at what they’re getting for the price.

The Range Gap That’s Hard to Ignore

Hyundai claims an ARAI-certified range of 390-473 km for the Creta Electric. But in real-world conditions, that drops to around 300 km. For buyers doing the math, it’s a red flag. Why shell out over ₹20 lakh when Tata offers 450-500 km of range at similar or lower prices?

Take the Tata Curvv EV, for example. It promises 500+ km range and is priced competitively. Even the MG ZS EV, a more established product, offers up to 461 km range and is priced from ₹18.98 lakh. Both are giving Hyundai a run for its money on the value front.

Inventory Pile-Up: A Familiar Hyundai Problem

It’s not just about sales - it’s about supply and demand. After the ICE Creta hit a high of 18,522 units in January 2025, Hyundai seems to have overestimated demand for the EV version and ramped up production. The result: showrooms are now staring at 8–10 months’ worth of unsold Creta EV inventory if things don’t improve.

This isn’t the first time Hyundai has faced this issue. The Kona Electric suffered a similar fate in 2023, eventually requiring discounts of up to ₹3 lakh to clear slow-moving stock.

What Hyundai Might Do Next: A Discount Strategy Is on the Cards

With rising dealer inventory and slow monthly EV sales, Hyundai is expected to roll out a multi-pronged incentive strategy, likely closer to the end of 2025 or around the opening of its Talegaon plant. Expect the following:

• Cash discounts in the range of ₹1.5 - 2 lakh, mirroring what we saw with the Kona.

• Corporate and leasing incentives, especially targeting fleet operators and urban mobility startups.

• Free home charging installation, worth ₹1-1.5 lakh, bundled with new purchases to sweeten the deal.

COO Tarun Garg has already hinted at “aggressive strategies” ahead - a clear signal that the company knows it needs to move quickly if it wants to stay relevant in this price band.

The Road Ahead: Can the Creta Electric Recover?

India’s EV market is growing - but not uniformly. Buyers remain cautious about range, charging infrastructure, and price. Hyundai may have thought the Creta brand name would do the heavy lifting, but the electric variant is proving that brand equity alone isn’t enough.

Tata and MG are showing what Indian EV buyers want: range, affordability, and practicality. If Hyundai wants the Creta Electric to succeed, it must respond with more than just product features - it must price and position the vehicle in line with buyer expectations.

Discounts aren’t just likely. They’re necessary.