These 4 Electric Cars From Multinational Automakers Will Arrive At The Indian Market

In the world of clean energy, few areas are as dynamic as the electric car market. Growth has been particularly impressive over the last three years, even as the global pandemic shrank the market for conventional cars and as manufacturers started grappling with supply chain bottlenecks. In 2021, electric car sales went to 6.6 million, representing close to 9% of the global car market and more than tripling their market share from two years earlier. All the net growth in global car sales in 2021 came from electric cars.

Here are the 4 electric cars from multinational automakers expected to arrive in India-

We know that MG Motor India is currently working on its second electric vehicle for India. Recently, MG gave a glimpse of the upcoming ZS EV facelift, which is expected to debut with an updated powertrain and a larger battery pack, offering an improved single-charge range. The updated electric drivetrain from the ZS EV facelift could be offered with MG’s new EV in India. Ahead of the launch of the MG ZS EV facelift in the coming weeks, MG Motor India has announced that existing owners, as well as new buyers of the electric SUV, can avail of fast-charging at Fortum Charge & Drive India's outlets completely free of cost initially. Those who have an MG ZS EV can download and log into the Fortum smartphone app and drive to their nearest Fortum DC fast-charger (CCS2-compliant only) to quickly recharge their vehicle for free. Customers can avail of this service as many times as they want till the end of March 2022. 

After settling to pull its plug on the Indian market last year, Ford Motor Co. recently declared that it might come back to India, this time to manufacture electric vehicles instead. The announcement came right after the US automaker’s proposal to seek incentives under India’s new US$3.5 billion production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme was approved on the same day. Their Ford Bronco, the 2024 digitally rendered concept of which was released recently, is expected to come to India. Ford Bronco comes powered by a 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine producing 275 hp (300 hp with premium fuel) and 427 Nm (441 Nm with premium fuel) mated to a manual or a 7-speed automatic or 10-speed automatic transmission. There are a ton of off-roading equipment and features to propel this SUV through any sort of terrain with the 4×4 drive system.

Renault is contemplating joining the Indian EV market with the all-electric Megane E-Tech. Displayed at the Munich Auto Show in 2021, the new Magane E-Tech is the first Renault to sit on the purpose-built CMF-EV platform. The carmaker is also mulling bringing the Arkana SUV coupe in a bid to increase interest in their brand. The Megane E-Tech borrows its design from the Megane eVision concept from 2020. The Megane E-Tech can also be had with two battery pack choices– 40kWh and 60kWh as well as two electric motor output choices– a base 130hp and 250Nm, or a more powerful 218hp and 300Nm set-up. Renault claims a range of up to 470km depending on the battery pack used. The Megane E-Tech isn't the first EV Renault has assumed for India. At the 2020 Auto Expo, Renault had showcased the Renault Kwid-based City K-ZE electric hatchback, and the more premium Zoe EV with plans of local assembly. The Megane E-Tech is anticipated to be priced upwards of ₹ 45 lakh, which would put it in an equivalent bracket as the recently launched Mini Cooper SE.

Jeep will soon be selling a made-in-India version of the Grand Cherokee. The flagship SUV was earlier fetched to India through the CBU route but now it will be assembled in India. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be based on an all-new architecture and will get a newly designed exterior and interior. This new iteration of Grand Cherokee will get a smaller 2.0-liter turbo-petrol powertrain, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission along with a 4×4 system. It will also reinforce Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction management system. The smaller engine and the local assembly should result in a significant price reduction, making the vehicle more competitive and accessible.

Electric cars helped avoid oil consumption and CO2 emissions in 2021, although these benefits were canceled out by the parallel increase in the sales of SUVs. Therefore, the acceptance of electric medium luxury SUVs by potential electric vehicle buyers will change this situation drastically.