Tesla vs the rest

American electric car giant Tesla has finally entered India. The brand inaugurated its first experience centre in Mumbai recently and also launched its first car for the market, the Model Y. Price starts at Rs 59.89 lakh for the standard version; a long-range version is also on offer, which will set you back by Rs 67.89 lakh, ex-showroom. A major reason for the prices being so high is the import duty being levied on the car, which currently stands at over 100 per cent. This means it won’t really be a cakewalk for the brand, as the Indian market is now flooded with many premium EVs that either offer the same tech at a lower price or give more at a similar price. Here are some of Model Y rivals in the market…

BYD Sealion 7

Tesla’s biggest rival globally has to be the BYD as the two are the biggest EV makers in the world. The Chinese brand has been expanding its presence in India and its latest launch is the Sealion 7. The SUV starts at a much lower price, Rs 48.90 lakh, and even the all-wheel drive version is priced at Rs 54.90 lakh, something that’s not an option for the Model Y yet.

The minimum range on Sealion 7, according to the New European test cycle, is 567 km while the Model Y offers 622 km on the long-range model, according to WLTP (worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure), which is considered to be a more realistic way of defining the real-world range. Just like Model Y, the Sealion 7 is loaded with tech, including ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) functions and a big touchscreen.

Kia EV6

The EV6 was the first electric offering from Kia in India back in 2022. Earlier this year, the Korean car brand gave the crossover a major update, which included more tech and better performance. With the new model, Kia decided to retail just the fully-loaded GT line variant with an all-wheel drive, priced at Rs 65.90 lakh, ex-showroom.

While the Model Y gets 63 kWh and 83 kWh battery pack options, the EV6 gets 84 kWh battery that has a claimed range of 650 km on one charge. The EV6 can be juiced up from 10 to 80 per cent in just 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger, while the maximum charging speed on Tesla’s Model Y is 250 kW for the long-range version.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 5 is another electric SUV that has been on sale in India for a few years now. The flagship product of the Korean car maker is priced at a much lower Rs 46 lakh, ex-showroom, as it is assembled locally in India. In comparison to the Model Y standard range, which runs on a 62.5 kWh battery pack, the Ioniq 5 has a bigger 72.6 kWh battery pack that comes with a claimed range of 631 km. The cabin of the Ioniq gets two large 12.3-inch screens, while Model Y has a big 15.4-inch touchscreen through which most features of the car are controlled. Its cabin is more minimalist, though the second row seats get a separate 8-inch unit along with seat heating and electric recline functions.

BMW iX1

Earlier this year, German luxury car maker BMW launched an electric version of its entry SUV in India, the iX1, that too in a long-wheelbase version. Its price starts at Rs 49 lakh, ex-showroom. The iX1 is equipped with a 66.4 kWh battery pack combined with two motors, one on each axle. Total power output stands at 308 bhp and 494 Nm, which is more than 295 bhp and 420 Nm offered on the Model Y standard variant. Talking about range, the iX1 claims a WLTP figure of 440 km, while DC fast charging is capped at 130 kW. A curved display inside the cabin integrates two 10.2- inch screens while the SUV also gets features like adaptive suspension and hands-free parking.

Mercedes-Benz EQA

Starting at a slightly higher price point when compared to the Tesla Model Y is the entry-level electric from Mercedes-Benz. The EQA retails at Rs 67.20 lakh, making it one of the most expensive offerings among all the models listed above.

This electric version of GLA is offered in just a single long-range option and gets a 70.5 kWh battery pack which is good for making 188 bhp and 385 Nm. Claimed WLTP range stands at 560 km, which is slightly more than what is offered on the Model Y standard range. The EQA is taller than Model Y, but is not as long or wide. It is also a front-wheel drive vehicle, while the Tesla is a rear-wheel drive.

— The writer is associated with carandbike.com

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