In France in recent months auto news on affordable electric. Whereas Renault has its own R5 E-Tech and Volkswagen with its own ID.2 always tempting us, Citroën was the first to launch its versatile electric city car for under €25,000: the new ë-C3 starts at €23,300! Yes, “universal”, because the current Dacia Spring and Renault Twingo E-Tech are, of course, cheaper, smaller; Renault Zoé goes into production; AND The Volkswagen e-Up is too expensive to be called “affordable.” So the Citroën ë-C3 is sailing alone for now, but the competition won’t last long. In addition to the brands mentioned above, there will also be Asian brands: Hyundai, MG, BYD and Geely in particular… But it is not only in Europe that manufacturers are paying close attention to this small category of the market. Things are also picking up… in India.

Tata, MG, Mahindra and Citroën: The Indian race

The new El Dorado car, the country has been slow to launch electric cars compared to big rival China. For the first eleven months of 2023 74,290 electric cars were sold to individuals in the countrycompared to just over 38,000 years earlier: things are moving! The undisputed leader is Tata Motorsselling 54,491 units of Nexon EV, Tigor EV and Tiago EV. MG Motor India is well behind, with 8,420 ZS EV and Comet EV sales in the first eleven months of the year.

In third position, Mahindra&Mahindra, sold 3,510 units of its XUV400 and eVerito. But according to Autocar (where these numbers come from), the Indian surprise comes from Citroënwhich managed to overtake the Chinese BYD in the country in a few months, with its only model his new ë-C3 that made 1,884 people happy.

Tata Punch, counter attack

In this booming Indian electricity market, everyone wants to succeed. To maintain an advantage, Tata Motors today introduces a new model: the Punch EV. The Punch has been around since 2021 crossover mini-segment A (Renault Kwid, Suzuki Alto, etc.), which until now was limited to a thermal engine. Tata has made it electric with two battery options: 25kWh or 35kWh, enough to offer from 315 to 421 km of autonomy.

If it looks a little dated aesthetically, especially compared to the much more modern ë-C3, it offers state-of-the-art equipment such as 360° camera10.25-inch central screen, adaptive regulator, and ventilated front seats. Also, with a call price of Rs 10.99 lakh, can be exchanged for only €12,000 in the country! The Citroën ë-C3, about €800 more expensive, now has a new competitor, and a significant one at that, given Tata’s dismal popularity with the Indian public.

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