Tata Tiago.EV Is Now Cheaper Than The Maruti WagonR: We Explain
The Tiago.EV is currently one of the most affordable and practical electric cars in India, especially with the ongoing massive discounts. With dealers offering up to ₹2.5 lakh off on the long-range model, it is now available at an on-road price of around ₹8 lakh in Bengaluru. This makes it cheaper than even a top-spec WagonR. It makes for a perfect buy for people looking for a budget-friendly electric car for use primarily in the city.
Other Discounts On Tiago.EV
The base medium-range variants of the EV now offer discounts of up to 1.5 lakh. This revision brings their prices down to about Rs. 7 lakh, on-road Bengaluru- a step closer to achieving price parity between the EV and ICE versions. Some variants of the Tiago.EV are currently selling at prices lower than a corresponding ICE offering. We recommend you to check with your nearest Tata dealership for more information on ongoing discounts on the Taigo.EV.
Why Tiago.EV Over Wagon R?
Tiago.EV is a fun car to drive. Powered by a single electric motor and two battery options, it offers smooth, effortless driving and decent acceleration/ performance. Compared to a Wagon R (or the petrol Tiago itself), the EV is smoother, more cost-effective to operate and offers better performance.
The electric Tiago caters to several use cases. It is an excellent second car for families who already own a larger SUV or sedan for highway commutes but are in need of a compact and hassle-free EV for city use. For those who primarily rely on public transportation for long-distance travel but require a personal vehicle for short commutes too, this hatchback would fit the bill perfectly. Operating one is fairly convenient as you can use a 15 Amp plug point to charge.
Limitations And Known Issues
The Tiago.EV is not without its limitations. Its real-world range of 180-200 km may prove inconvenient for frequent highway travellers, as it requires regular charging stops, significantly extending travel times. Buyers should also consider the availability of reliable charging infrastructure before making a purchase. If you don’t have access to a dedicated charging point at home or at work, the reliance on public charging stations can be inconvenient. Furthermore, the resale value of electric cars remains uncertain, as the market is still evaluating long-term battery replacement costs.
Another issue prospective buyers should be aware of is the “High Voltage (HV) Alert,” which has been reported by a small percentage of Tiago.EV owners. This causes the car to enter limp mode, requiring service intervention to reset the error code. Additionally, inconsistent build quality and minor niggles have also been noted, although these are not deal-breakers for most users. For peace of mind, it is highly recommended to opt for the extended warranty package, which extends the standard 3-year warranty to 6 years, while the battery warranty remains at 8 years or 160,000 km.
Competition
In terms of competition, the MG Comet is the closest rival to the Tiago.EV. Priced at ₹4.99 lakh under the Battery-as-a-Service (BAAS) scheme, the Comet is more or less a two-seat city car with a real-world range of about 150 km. While it is cheaper and more compact, the Comet lacks the space and practicality of the Tiago.EV, which can comfortably accommodate five passengers. Unlike the electric Tiago that has support for DC fast charging, the Comet offers just AC charging. It is ideal for buyers seeking a highly compact car for short urban commutes but for families or those needing more range and versatility, the Tiago.EV is the better choice.