The Tata Tiago EV is currently one of the most sought–after electric vehicles (EVs) in India, due to its price and practicality. The Tiago EV thus appeared to be an ideal solution for anyone seeking to cut their carbon output without going broke while doing so, given its small form factor, zero emissions, and considerable driving range. There have, however, been some issues with this recently (in particular around battery replacement), leading to some concern.
This article describes the Tata Tiago EV battery price, why the delays happened, and what they mean for Indian buyers.
Tata Tiago EV Battery: What All Do You Need To Know?
Before we get into the Tata Tiago EV battery price and delay deets, let’s explore the main highlight of the Tata Tiago EV — the 24 kWh lithium-ion battery. This powers the car and it gives a range of about 250 km on a full charge (subjective to driving conditions). For most daily use cases such as urban commutes in cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, or Hyderabad, this range is more than enough.
But it’s the battery price that tends to give prospective buyers pause. The Tata Tiago EV is the latest EV to be launched here, but not without its differences — primarily in the make-up of the car itself and more importantly, the battery replacement issue.
Battery Replacement Cost of Tata Tiago EV in India
In the Indian market, the Tata Tiago EV battery replacement costs around ₹ 6,00,000 to ₹ 7,00,000. All brands include the 24 kWh lithium-ion battery and installation fees. While this seems like a fair bit of money, you need not worry about replacing the battery any time soon since it comes with an 8-year/1,60,000 km warranty.
Let’s do some simple math to work through that battery pricing.
Cost per kWh Calculation:
- Battery Capacity: 24 kWh
- Average Recovery Cost: ₹ 6,50,000
So, the cost per kWh is:
₹ 6,50,000 ÷ 24 kWh = ₹ 27,000 per kWh.
This is an aggressive price, particularly for an electric car — indicating that EVs will eventually be more mainstream in India. To illustrate, the MG ZS EV (with a 44.5 kWh battery) has a battery replacement cost of around ₹ 15,00,000, which translates to roughly ₹ 33,700 per kWh.
Why Are Deliveries Delayed?
While the Tiago EV is one of the most, if not the most, popular electric cars you can buy in the country, especially in metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Pune, there have been reports of delays in deliveries. The reasons for these delays are mainly as follows:
1. Global Supply Chain Challenges
Overall shortages in key components such as semiconductors, along with raw materials including lithium-ion batteries (lithium and cobalt), are causing problems for manufacturers across the world. The same holds true for the Tata Tiago EV.
2. Surge in Demand for EVs
The surge in demand for electric vehicles such as Tiago EV can be attributed to the increase in the consumption of fuel and the growing awareness of environmental concerns. This has caused production backlogs and delayed deliveries.
3. Localized Manufacturing and Supply Chain
While Tata Motors has a strong manufacturing base in India, components of the Tiago EV, such as the battery, are still sourced across the globe. If any parts take longer to deliver, the entire assembly line is affected.
Consequently, this may lead to delays in delivery for those buyers who have booked a Tiago EV as well as a waiting period for people looking to replace the battery in the near future.
The Effect of Delivery Delays on the Cost of Batteries
This has raised questions among potential buyers about whether such delays in delivery will cause a hike in battery prices. On the other hand, EV battery pricing in India is still driven by global supply chains for rare material components, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. If Tata Motors finds it challenging to source these materials in a timely manner, the replacement battery cost may come under upward pressure.
That said, you have to keep in mind that the subsidies and policies of the Indian government under the FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) are there to bring down the overall cost of EV ownership. These policies were anticipated to support the battery price and would have kept it somewhat stable regardless of minor delays in supply.
Example in Real-Life: How Much You Save in Running Costs
Let’s have a look at your savings if you switch to Tata Tiago EV from a conventional petrol vehicle. Consider this:
- The Tiago EV has an energy consumption of approximately 15.5 kWh/100 km.
- If you travel 1,000 km a month, you will need about 155 kWh of electricity. Assuming an average cost of ₹ 10 per kWh (electricity costs vary by state), your total charging cost would be:
₹ 1,550/month = 155 kWh × ₹ 10.
Conversely, if you had been driving a petrol-powered vehicle that gave you an average range of 15 km in a litre of petrol, you would have been shelling out around ₹ 500 to ₹ 600 per 100 km. The per 1,000 km a month that comes out to:
10 x ₹ 500 = ₹ 5,000 to ₹ 6,000/month.
This means you will save approximately ₹ 3,500 to ₹ 4,500 monthly by using a Tiago EV instead of a petrol car. That translates to savings of ₹ 42,000 to ₹ 54,000 over a year!
So Then, Why Is The Tiago EV Still A Killer?
The Tata Tiago EV is still a great option for anyone looking to go electric in India despite the delays in deliveries and the increased battery replacement costs.
The running costs are much cheaper than a petrol or diesel car, and there are big long-term savings to be made on maintenance with EVs. You also have an option to lease the battery separately on a monthly basis with Tata Motors, which means the upfront cost reduces further.
Plus, as the infrastructure for EV charging is expanding in the main cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, owning an electric vehicle has never been easier. Those government incentives are on top of the value proposition offered by Tata Motors’ extensive service network.
Conclusion: Is the Tata Tiago EV Battery Price Justified?
Provided that you are OK with a likely extended waiting period, the Tata Tiago EV should prove to be one of the more affordable mass-market electric cars available on the Indian market today. Battery replacement cost is more of a long-term aspect and when you factor in the savings on fuel and maintenance, the Tiago EV is a sound economic choice for daily commuting.
For more details on the Tata Tiago EV, you can visit:
With that said, despite the third postponement of deliveries, the Tata Tiago EV remains a great alternative for anyone looking to experience electric mobility in India. These delays could be temporary, but the savings and eco-friendly driving experience are permanent!
