Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC

Hey car enthusiasts and future EV owners! When you are looking for a new car in India, there are so many things to think about. Is it within your budget? How safe is it for your family? What about those monthly running costs and maintenance? Does it come with all the cool, latest features? And, crucially, how good is the company’s service network?

Today, we’re diving deep into an electric car that’s ticking a lot of these boxes for Indian buyers: the new Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC. Tata Motors has been a leader in the Indian EV space, and the Punch EV is their latest compelling offering, combining the popular Punch formula with electric power. Let’s find out if this electric SUV is the right fit for your garage!

Main Highlights

Engine Specifications

The Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC is equipped with a potent electric powertrain designed for both city commutes and highway runs.

• Motor Type: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
• Max Power: 90 kW (equivalent to about 122 PS)
• Max Torque: 190 Nm
• Battery Capacity (LR - Long Range): 35 kWh
• ARAI Certified Range: 421 km (This is an ideal figure, real-world range varies)
• Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in just 9.5 seconds (impressive for its segment)

Design Overview

Exterior

The Punch EV keeps the familiar, robust SUV stance of its ICE sibling but adds a modern, futuristic twist specific to EVs.

• Front Fascia: A sleek, closed-off grille with a full-width LED light bar and projector headlamps with LED DRLs give it a distinctive EV identity. The charging port is neatly integrated into the front.
• Side Profile: Strong character lines and sporty alloy wheels (different designs for different variants) maintain its SUV appeal.
• Rear: Stylish LED taillamps and a clean bumper design complete the modern look.

Interior

Step inside, and you are greeted by a cabin that feels premium and feature-packed.

• Dashboard: A dual-screen setup dominates, featuring a large infotainment screen and a fully digital instrument cluster.
• Colours & Materials: A dual-tone theme with good quality materials enhances the premium feel.

Ergonomics: Well-placed controls and a user-friendly layout ensure a comfortable driving experience.

Key Features

Being the 'Empowered Plus' variant, this Punch EV is loaded with tech and comfort features:

• Infotainment Screen: A large 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Digital Instrument Cluster: Another 10.25-inch digital display for all your driving information.
• Connected Car Tech: Tata’s iRA connected car suite offers remote functions, vehicle diagnostics, and more.
• Sunroof: An electric sunroof for that open-air feel.
• 360-degree Surround View Camera: Makes parking in tight spots a breeze, with additional blind spot view monitor.
• Wireless Charging: Keep your smartphone charged without messy cables.

Climate Control: Automatic climate control for consistent cabin temperature.Ventilated Front Seats: A boon for hot Indian summers, ensuring comfort on long drives.JBL Sound System: (Available on Empowered+ S trim) For an immersive audio experience.Paddles for Regen Modes: Allows you to control regenerative braking intensity, improving range.

Ground Clearance

The Tata Punch EV offers a good ground clearance, essential for Indian road conditions:

• Ground Clearance: 190 mm (unladen)

Boot Space

Practicality is key, and the Punch EV doesn’t disappoint in terms of luggage capacity:

• Boot Space: 366 litres

Dimensions

Understanding the car’s footprint is important for city driving and parking:

• Length: 3857 mm
• Width: 1742 mm
• Height: 1633 mm
• Wheelbase: 2500 mm

Powertrain Options

The Tata Punch EV comes with two main powertrain options based on battery size:

• Medium Range (MR): 25 kWh battery with a 60 kW (82 PS) motor, offering 315 km ARAI range.
• Long Range (LR): 35 kWh battery with a 90 kW (122 PS) motor, offering 421 km ARAI range. (Our focus model, Empowered Plus LR, falls under this category)

Safety Features

Tata Motors has always prioritized safety, and the Punch EV carries forward this legacy.

• Airbags: 6 Airbags (Standard on LR variants)
• Braking: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), All-wheel disc brakes (on LR)
• Stability: Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Parking & Monitoring: Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), 360-degree Surround View Camera with Blind Spot View Monitor
• Hill Control: Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control
• Child Safety: ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts

NCAP Rating Table

Safety ratings are a crucial aspect for any Indian car buyer, and the Punch EV shines here.

Rating Body	Adult Occupant Protection	Child Occupant Protection	Notes
Bharat NCAP	5 Stars	5 Stars	Tata Punch EV has received 5-star rating for both adult and child occupants.
Global NCAP	5 Stars	5 Stars	The ICE Tata Punch received a 5-star Global NCAP rating. The Punch EV is built on the same highly safe ALFA architecture, ensuring robust safety standards.

Rivals of Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC

In the electric compact SUV segment, the Tata Punch EV faces competition from:

• Citroen eC3: Offers a unique design and practical space.
• Tata Tiago EV: While smaller, some higher variants of the Tiago EV might cross-shop with lower Punch EV variants based on budget.
• Upcoming Mahindra XUV400 Pro (lower variants): Might overlap in price range.

How is the Car? (Pros & Cons)

Pros (Advantages)

• Stellar Safety: 5-star Bharat NCAP rating gives immense peace of mind.
• Feature-Packed: Top-tier features like ventilated seats, 360-degree camera, dual 10.25-inch screens, and electric sunroof enhance comfort and convenience.
• Impressive Range: The 421 km ARAI range for the LR version is competitive and reduces range anxiety.
• Smooth & Silent Drive: Being an EV, it offers a refined, silent, and vibration-free driving experience.

Lower Running Costs: Significantly cheaper to run per kilometre compared to petrol cars.Compact SUV Design: Maintains the popular SUV stance, offering good road presence and practicality.Good Ground Clearance: Handles broken roads with ease.

Cons (Disadvantages)

• Charging Infrastructure: While improving, public charging infrastructure is still developing in India, especially outside major cities.

Initial Cost: EVs generally have a higher upfront purchase price compared to their ICE counterparts.Charging Time: DC fast charging is quick, but AC home charging can take several hours.Rear Seat Space: While adequate for most, taller adults might find knee room slightly limited on very long journeys.

Conclusion

The Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC emerges as a highly compelling package for anyone looking to enter the electric vehicle world in India. It builds on the success of the Punch's popular design and robustness, adding the benefits of an electric powertrain. With its impressive list of features, excellent safety ratings, a practical real-world range, and Tata’s growing EV service network, it addresses many of the core considerations of Indian car buyers.

Yes, the initial investment is higher, and planning for charging is necessary. However, the Punch EV makes up for it with significantly lower running costs, a silent and smooth driving experience, and a future-ready appeal. If you're seeking a safe, feature-rich, and efficient electric compact SUV that’s well-suited for Indian conditions, the Tata Punch EV Empowered Plus LR AC FC should definitely be on top of your test-drive list. It truly is a punchy performer in the EV segment!