A partially covered Hyundai Creta with a protruding floor pan, potentially featuring a developmental battery pack, has been spied on recently. Hyundai is working on a Tata rivalling mass market EV which is expected to go on sale by 2024.
Hyundai Electric Vehicle Plan For India
In 2021, we said that Hyundai was planning for a mass-market EV in India and it will announce by 2024. It was expected to be an EV version of an outgoing ICE car, with a real-world range of 300 km. It was expected to be Hyundai’s competitor to the Tata Nexon EV at that time, and even now a rival to the newly announced Mahindra XUV 400.
The test mule spotted is based on the outgoing Creta, which is unlikely to get the electric version. If Hyundai is indeed working on the Creta EV, it can be depending on the facelifted model that it’s launching next year. This spied-on model could just be a prototype for component testing while its EV could be a brand-new model.
Does The Creta EV Make Sense?
Yes, Creta EV really makes sense. We are expecting a sub-four metre or a compact SUV offering, which can help keep the EV in the Rs 15 to 25 lakhs range. The tactic of offering EVs based on a combustion engine model seems to have worked for Tata, in terms of economies of scale with shared body and cabin components. So, the Hyundai Creta EV could make sense for India, also it is one of the best-selling models in the country.
Creta EV Rivals
With an expected starting price under 20 lakhs, it can be seen as a set-up to the Nexon EV and XUV400 and an affordable alternative to the MG ZS EV. The larger size EV could allow for a larger battery, more range, and comfort over the smaller electric SUVs. Within the Hyundai’s lineup, it could be the sensible replacement for the Kona Electric which is currently a premium but the outdated model and will sit below the flagship Ioniq 5. Direct rivals could come in the form of Maruth’s eVX and Sierra EVs and Tata’s Curvv.