Just as the dust settles on the launch of the facelifted internal combustion engine (ICE) Punch, Tata Motors has given its electric sibling a significant mid-cycle refresh. Though the Punch EV has only been on the streets for two years, Tata has given it significant updates in the form of larger battery packs, better performance and a price that brings it very close to its ICE counterpart.
Bigger Batteries, Better Range
The headline change is found under the floorboards. Tata has swapped the old 25kWh and 35kWh battery packs for larger 30kWh and 40kWh units. This bump in capacity pushes the ARAI-certified range of the long-range variant to 468 km. More importantly for daily drivers, Tata estimates a realistic real-world range of approximately 355 km.
Charging has also received a boost. Using a 65kW fast charger, the Punch EV can now go from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes. To sweeten the deal and alleviate long-term concerns, the company is offering a lifetime battery warranty for the first owner.
Integrated Engineering
Despite the larger batteries, the Punch EV maintains a curb weight of 1360 kg. This was achieved through a new integrated motor unit that reduces weight, complexity, and mechanical losses. The results are felt on the tarmac: power is up to 127 hp, and the 0–100 km/h sprint now takes less than nine seconds.
The redesign also brings practical benefits for Indian monsoons. Ground clearance has increased to 195 mm, and the water-wading depth is now 450 mm. On the safety front, Tata has introduced a clever notification that urges drivers to switch to low beams if the high beam is left on for more than a minute while traveling between 10–40 km/h. This joins a standard safety suite that includes six airbags, hill hold, and TPMS.
Pricing Update for the Punch EV
Visually, the car remains familiar. The connected light bar has been deleted from the front, and the rear now shares the taillight design of the ICE Punch. However, the most important update is the price.
Tata has slashed prices across the board. The entry-level model now starts at ₹9.69 lakh, a reduction of ₹30,000. The top-end variant sees a massive drop from ₹14.44 lakh to ₹12.59 lakh. At these price points, the Punch EV seems to make a lot of financial sense even for buyers who don’t drive as much. Add to that, Tata is also offering the Punch through the BaaS (Battery as a service) model with prices starting at Rs. 6.49 lakh for the base variant, and the rental cost per kilometre as low as Rs. 2.6. We are set to drive the new Punch EV in the next few days. Stay tuned for the review.
