In India, the love for fuel-efficient vehicles is practically a national pastime, one that almost rivals our love for cricket and Bollywood! Whether it's a family road trip or a quick trip to the market, you can bet that every Indian driver is secretly calculating how many extra samosas they can buy with the money saved on fuel.
We all remember the famous Maruti Suzuki tv advert that features a wealthy Indian looking to purchase a super luxury yacht and the only question he asks is, “Kitna Deti hai?” (link for those that haven’t seen it before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akmpsx5F2-4). Bikes and cars are sold on being the most fuel efficient with efficiency figures being branded in the headlines, above almost every other feature of the vehicle. The largest 2W and 4W vehicle manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki and Hero Moto have reached that spot on the back of making the most fuel efficient vehicles.
Hence, we thought to pay homage to all value conscious Indians and try to look at the efficiency of electric cars in India. Examining the efficiency of electric cars is important, even though they already outperform traditional ICE vehicles in terms of fuel economy. EVs typically convert over 70% of their energy into movement, whereas conventional ICE cars often struggle to exceed 20% efficiency due to energy lost as heat during combustion. This efficiency translates into lower operating costs and reduced emissions, making EVs a more sustainable choice.
Furthermore, given batteries use critical resources that are supply constrained and EV adoption leads to higher demands for electricity, improving EV efficiency can help alleviate strain on the environment, electrical grid and facilitate a smoother transition to renewable energy sources. By focusing on efficiency, we not only maximize the benefits of EVs, but also contribute to a low-carbon future where every kilowatt-hour counts.
The efficiency of an electric car is measured in kilometers per kilowatt-hour (kWh), reflecting the distance the vehicle can travel on just one unit of electricity. In our analysis, we used the ARAI certified range of the vehicles, which is the amount of kilometers a car drives on a single charge under standard test conditions. Obviously, real world range will significantly differ based on multiple factors including driving conditions, etc.
A brief glance at the above table shows that Indian OEMs like TATA and Mahindra have learnt their lessons about “Kitna Deti hai?”, with most focusing on smaller batteries and higher efficiencies.
In India, the MG Comet EV has the smallest battery of all electric 4Ws at 17.3 kWh and the highest efficiency of 13.29 kms per kWh. This is followed by the fleet focused electric car model by TATA, the Tigor EV which has an efficiency of 12.11 kms per kWh. The least efficient car is the one with the largest battery (82.56 kWh), the BYD Seal Premium with an efficiency of 7.87 kms per kWh. For comparison, in the US, the Ford F150 Lightning comes with a standard battery of 98 kWh and has a range of ~370 kms for an efficiency of 3.77 kms per kWh.
The efficiency of electric cars in India is not just a technical detail; it's a necessity for a country like India, given the resource constraints around raw materials for manufacturing cells, as well as growing demand for energy. While American models like the Ford electric SUVs boast impressive features and range, India's unique urban challenges demand more compact and efficient solutions.
