FUTURE IS ELECTRIC

A recent survey conducted by ACKO and YouGov indicates that in India, electric vehicles (EVS) will overtake diesel and petrol vehicles by 2030. We are witnessing not only an increased range per charge but also a massive overhaul of charging infrastructure across the country. It is now becoming easier to consider taking your EV for a road trip, something that was a bleak prospect in the recent past. As more people start to travel with their EVs this year, we present a roundup of some of our favourite models to look out for in 2023.

- RIAAN JACOB GEORGE

MERCEDES-BENZ EQB

The German carmaker, a market leader in the luxury segment in India, released its highly impressive seven-seater, all-electric SUV, EQB at the end of 2022. Fashioned loosely on its iconic ultra-luxe SUV-the GLS-this EV is informally referred to as the 'Baby GLS'.

Interiors 

The interiors are plush. The car describes itself as a seven-seater, we’d say that the third row is only big enough for kids or pets.

Exteriors

The exteriors are sporty, refined yet muscular, and robust.

Range

The EQB comes fitted with a 66.5 kWH lithium-ion battery and promises a range of 423 km on a single charge. We test drove the car recently and loved the overall immersive drive experience. This EV does pack in a lot of punch and indicates a 0-100 kmph sprint of eight seconds. The EQB has two motors that result in a very powerful, torque-fuelled drive.

Why we love it

We tested the Torque Shift feature, which results in increased traction, ideal for both off-road and city conditions. The manufacturer has already installed 30 ultra-fast chargers across the country, and a complimentary AC wall charger for every customer.

Price

At a price of ₹74.5 lakh, we predict that the EQB should be able to carve a niche segment.

VOLVO XC40 RECHARGE

The Swedish manufacturer’s first locally assembled luxury vehicle in India is the chic XC40 Recharge. This particular car is sold exclusively by Volvo India’s online platform.

Exteriors