5 Essential Upgrades that the Tata Punch EV Facelift Needs

Tata Motors recently unveiled the Punch EV Facelift, showcasing its front end. Essentially a mid-cycle update for the already modern EV, the facelift brings in cosmetic changes. However, it needs a few essential upgrades to mitigate a few issues.

Rear-seat Comfort

The existing Punch EV can comfortably accommodate two passengers in the second row. However, the same becomes tight for three occupants, resulting in a shoulder overlap. The legroom is also quite limited. This warrants an upgrade in the rear-seat space, and it should be something along the lines of what the Curvv received as a minor mid-cycle upgrade.

Essential AC Vents

Another shortcoming for the Tata Punch EV has been the lack of rear AC vents. With its ICE counterpart having received this addition, the same is a need for the EV, and it is highly likely to make its way here.

Range Optimisation

The 35kWh Punch EV gets a claimed range of 421km, but it only returned an efficiency of 61 per cent, thereby clocking in 259 kilometres of real-world range. Therefore, the facelift needs better efficiency to extract more juice out of the existing mechanical setup, and the same should be prioritised, given that facelifts are mostly their predecessors’ mechanical twins.

Correct Pricing

The top-spec Tata Punch EV goes north of Rs. 15 lakh (35kWh). At this price point, the Nexon EV 45 Creative variant cannibalises its sub-4m cousin. Given the 45kWh battery pack, it delivers higher usable range, thereby stealing the Punch EV’s limelight. The base-spec MG Windsor EV is also a tough competitor. Tata Motors needs to get the pricing right, so that the Punch EV caters to the target demographic better.

Inconsistency and Reliability Issue Mitigation

If there’s one set of long-standing issues with Tata cars, it has to be the fit-and-finish quality, as well as reliability. QC, service, and reliability need work, and this factor alone can ensure that the Punch EV tastes measured success.