This EV will be cheaper than Tiago.EV
The EV scene in India has been evolving rapidly. Electric vehicles now range across segments, price brackets, and body styles. The lower end of the price spectrum has relatively fewer models on sale. Tata Tiago.EV and MG Comet are two of the most affordable electric cars sold here. This may soon change. Renault is working on an all-electric version of the Kwid, expected to undercut these in pricing.
Renault Kwid EV For India: The Context
Renault has long had plans of entering the affordable EV space with the electric Kwid. First reports of this surfaced in 2020. These, unfortunately, never materialised and the plans to roll out a budget EV hatchback were soon trashed. The challenges posed by the country's developing EV ecosystem and high costs were cited as reasons.
In the time that followed, we saw a Kiger-based EV taking shape. Test mules of this were even spotted multiple times. Basing its first EV on the Kiger made much sense. It belonged to a segment that’s more EV-friendly on the pricing front. A successful launch will allow Renault to play the multi-powertrain game and garner more market share. Plus, it will also mean an all-electric version of the Magnite rolling out in the near future. Building volumes of scale would then be fairly easy.
Fast forward to today, and a lot seems to have changed at Renault. A test mule of the new Kwid EV was spotted on test recently. Our sources within the company, who prefer to remain unnamed, have now confirmed that Renault India would soon launch the all-electric Kwid here.
Renault Kwid EV: What Do We Know Yet?
Renault is yet to reveal any real details of the upcoming EV officially. Spy shots confirm that it will undergo a major design overhaul and come with a completely fresh front fascia, new wheels, and a reworked rear. The cabin will see the addition of features like a bigger infotainment touchscreen.
The Kwid EV is already on sale in international markets like Brazil, as the Dacia Spring EV and the Kwid E-Tech. It is thus safe to assume that a similar spec could be brought to our shores as well.
The Kwid E-Tech features a 26.8kWh battery pack, mated to an electric motor that makes 65PS. The electric hatchback comes with selectable drive modes. Choosing ‘Eco’ will bring the power down to 44PS and deliver the maximum range.
The EV accelerates from 0-50 kph in 4.1 seconds. The claimed range is 220 km per charge. Renault, in fact, has larger battery packs as well. These are, however, unlikely to be introduced on the India-spec EV, due to cost constraints.
Renault’s best bet would be to chase the Tiago.EV and Comet with the new EV. The Tiago.EV has a starting price of Rs 7.99 lakh, ex-showroom. The top-spec costs Rs 11.14 lakh, ex-showroom. The MG Comet is slightly more affordable, with its prices in the range of Rs 7.49- 9.99 lakh, ex-showroom. If Renault manages to pull off a lower price tag for the Kwid EV, it could get the perfect start here.
The Kwid EV will be able to slot in as a good alternative to the Tiago.EV. When we look at this segment now, the Tiago. EV and Comet are both appealing products. However, the Comet feels more like a smart city runabout with its quirky proportions and two-door design. The Tiago, on the other hand, is more practical and better-suited for families, with a fairly comfortable rear seat and a bigger battery pack.
If packaged and priced well, the Kwid EV may become a compelling option in this segment. Yes, the (budget) small electric hatchback space may not be as rewarding today as it used to be in the past. General market winds now seem to favour larger vehicles with bigger range figures.
The Larger Picture
If the Kwid EV becomes successful here, we may also get to see Nissan build a rebagded version of it. It hasn’t had a presence in the budget hatchback segment since the Datsun Redi-go was discontinued in 2022. A badge-engineered EV would thus be a lucrative option to explore...