The Tata Curvv.ev arrives in India at a pivotal moment. Globally, EV sales have slowed, even putting pressure on industry leader Tesla. In India, the past year or two has seen a rise in hybrid vehicles, particularly in the mid-sized SUV segment, with models like the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder leading the charge. Tata’s Nexon EV remains a market leader, with strong competition from Mahindra and the now aging MG ZSEV, which has seen price cuts. However, for private buyers, especially those without commercial use, enthusiasm for EVs has been lukewarm. Concerns such as range anxiety, the premium pricing of EVs compared to similar internal combustion engine vehicles, battery longevity, charging infrastructure, and the feasibility of home charging have all played a role. Tata has addressed these challenges head-on with the Curvv.ev, making it a true disruptor, especially for residents of Indian metro cities.
The cost of entry for an EV has always been a significant barrier. The Tata Curvv.ev starts at an ex-showroom price of Rs 17.49 lakhs, with the top model priced at Rs 21.99 lakhs. To put this into perspective, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, which features a strong hybrid system, starts at Rs 22.86 lakhs ex-showroom and does not enjoy the registration benefits that electric cars do. While some may argue that the Curvv.ev offers better performance and features, it is priced more competitively. For example, the Hyundai Creta SX(O) variant with a 1.5 turbo petrol engine and DCT gearbox starts at Rs 23.72 lakhs, making the Curvv.ev an attractive option.
The Tata Curvv.ev is Tata’s fastest EV to date. The variant with the 55.6 kWh battery promises a range of 585 km as per ARAI standards. Tata acknowledges that real-world usage may yield 400-450 km, but this is still more than sufficient for most users, even for a week of driving. To put this into context, Tata claims that the Curvv.ev can comfortably handle a drive from Bangalore to Chennai on a single charge, which covers the maximum distance most people would travel outside a city. This comes to around 350 km, which the Curvv.ev easily achieves.
Performance-wise, the Curvv.ev could be Tata's fastest car overall. The 55.6 kWh model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in under 8.6 seconds, while the 45.7 kWh model does it in under 9 seconds. The higher-end variant delivers around 165 bhp, and the lower-end variant provides over 152 bhp. To compare, the Volkswagen Taigun, known for its driving dynamics, offers 148 bhp with a DSG gearbox at a price of Rs 23.24 lakhs ex-showroom. The top-end Hyundai Creta provides 158 bhp at Rs 23.72 lakhs, while the 152 bhp Curvv.ev is priced at Rs 19.29 lakhs, and the 165 bhp model at Rs 21.99 lakhs. Additionally, in cities like Delhi, EVs are exempt from registration fees, further enhancing the Curvv.ev's value proposition.
Despite its competitive pricing, Tata has not skimped on features. The Curvv.ev is likely to earn a Global NCAP 5-star crash rating and comes equipped with six airbags, Level 2 ADAS with 20 radar-based features, a 360-degree camera, ESP, hill hold assist, disc brakes on all four wheels, ventilated front seats, a 9-speaker JBL sound system with a woofer delivering 320 watts, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Tata.Arcade offering 20 apps and content streaming when the car is stationary, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable driver seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and 190 mm of ground clearance—best in class. Additionally, the Curvv.ev offers a 500-litre boot and a front trunk (frunk) for extra storage. It also features the latest generation of the IRA connected car suite.
Charging infrastructure is often a concern with EVs, but the Curvv.ev addresses this with its prismatic cell-based batteries. It supports fast charging at 1.2C, enabling 10-80 per cent charging in just 45 minutes with a 70 kW charger. A 15-minute charge can provide a range of 150 km. The Curvv.ev also supports slow charging, vehicle-to-load, and vehicle-to-vehicle charging, effectively turning it into a massive inverter for other devices.
The Tata Curvv.ev achieves all this at prices that not only compete with internal combustion engine alternatives but often undercut them. And I have not even touched upon the design which is unique, frankly very handsome with a twist on the mid-sized SUV body style with coupe like arching back. When considering the benefits of EVs—such as superior performance, refinement, lower running costs, and the elimination of pollution checks and registration fees—the Curvv.ev stands out as a compelling option. On paper, it’s a superb deal, and in reality, it could very well be a game-changer in the Indian automotive market.
 Andreas Dick, Board Member for Production & Logistics at Škoda Auto, and Piyush Arora, MD & CEO of ŠAVWIPL at the official Start of Production (SoP) ceremony for the Škoda Kylaq. (1)_20241214173529_original_image_14.webp)