As Tata Motors works towards the electric offensive, the Tata Punch EV aims squarely at urban consumers seeking compact and practical solutions for everyday use. Building on the Punch’s reputation as a practical urban SUV, the electric variant seeks to enhance the experience through the electric shove and an imposing personality as a sub-compact.
Design & Practicality
Honing its butch SUV stance, the Punch EV has prominent exterior elements including sleek auto LED projector headlamps, sequential front-side indicators, and front charging access for convenience. That front charging access could use better plastics though, since it’ll be used a lot.
The ‘Frunk’ (front trunk, because ‘Froot” front boot would’ve been funny) further enhances utility, adding extra storage space for when you have filled up the 366 litre boot. The diamond-cut R16 alloy wheels look sturdy, and auto-fold electric ORVMs are great for tight urban environments. The rear of the Punch EV is definitely its stronger-looking angle. It looks great.
Cabin & Tech
The EV interior is a mix of blacks and whites, which is futuristic to behold. Then there’s the large 10.2-inch infotainment sitting on top of the dash, driver information display, a screen with the illuminated Tata logo and even a screen on the drive mode selector, but funny enough not a separate screen for the climate control yet. The ventilated front seats and a cooled glove box are definitely superb for a car this size. Especially with summers knocking on the door, high-time cooled seats should just become standard fitment now.
The big central HD infotainment system from Arcade.ev has been developed in partnership with HARMAN. This system provides wireless connectivity for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with multiple voice assistant integrations including 'Hey Tata,' Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. The JBL surround sound system is a boon amplifying the in-car entertainment experience. The white coloured seat upholstery is to be kept clean diligently
Drivability
You can choose between two motor variants with the Punch EV, a 60 kW motor with 114 Nm torque designed for city driving and efficiency, and a more powerful 90 kW motor delivering 190 Nm torque, capable of accelerating from 0-100 kmph in just 9.5 seconds. No prizes for guessing that the 90 kW has the better driving characteristics overall.
Battery choices include liquid-cooled 25 kWh and 35 kWh packs, supporting multiple driving modes—Eco, City, and Sport—ensuring adaptability across diverse driving conditions. Ohh and a definite no no to the rotary drive mode selector. It is slow to respond, and just does not feel intuitive for driving, though it may look fancy with a bejewelled dial and a screen. Flashy is not practical.
Notably, the multi-level regenerative braking system, controlled by paddle shifters, enables drivers to enhance efficiency by customising energy recovery during deceleration, better used as an engine braking characteristic to add some fun to your driving.
Punch EV strongly emphasises safety, securing a BNCAP 5-star rating for adult and child occupants. It gets six airbags as standard, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), ISOFIX anchor points, and a 360-degree camera system. Additionally, features like blind-spot monitoring and hill-hold assist add another layer of safety.
Charging & Battery
The 7.2 kW AC home charger, 15A portable charger, and fast DC charging capability (50 kW DC charger from 10% to 80% in approximately 56 minutes) provide practical solutions for daily commuting. Thank heavens for an extensive charging network that Tata Power has across Delhi NCR that we had less to worry about. The robust IP67-rated battery pack ensures durability even in those sinking monsoon conditions.
Tata Motors offers a robust warranty of eight years or 160,000 km on the battery and motor, alongside a three-year or 125,000 km warranty for the vehicle itself, highlighting the company's confidence in product quality and durability.
The Tata Punch EV is a well-rounded proposition for urban electric mobility, offering a great package which makes you look at the Nexon EV and wonder about its value. The Punch EV is positioned effectively to attract urban drivers looking for a practical electric vehicle. And if you can have a comfortable home charging setup done, it is way cheaper and more convenient for urban transport.
Photography: Mohd Nasir
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