Renault Kwid EV is soon going to launch its first affordable electric hatchback Kwid EV in India. Recently it has been seen during testing on Indian roads. This car will be based on the Dacia Spring EV and can get a WLTP range of 225 km with a 26.8kWh battery. It can have two motor options of 44hp and 65hp. The design will get Y-shaped LED lights, full-width light bar and a new bumper. The price can be around ₹ 7 lakh and it will compete with Tata Tiago EV, MG Comet EV and Citroen eC3. Launch is likely this year.
Renault is preparing to launch its first affordable electric hatchback Kwid EV in India. Recently this car has been seen again during testing on Indian roads. This vehicle seen in full camouflage indicates that the launch is not far away now.
Design
The exterior design of the Renault Kwid EV is quite similar to the current petrol version. However, it will get EV-focused updates like Y-shaped LED lights, full-width LED light bar and new bumper design. Square shape wheel arches, thick body cladding and new sporty alloy wheels make it even more attractive.
Platform
The international version of the Renault Kwid EV has already been launched in China as Renault City K-ZE, Dacia Spring EV in Europe and Kwid E-Tech Electric in Latin America. The version coming to India will also be based on this global model, but some changes are possible in it keeping in mind the Indian market.
Interior
The pictures of the interior of the Kwid EV have not been revealed yet, but it is expected that it can get a 10-inch touchscreen, 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, USB port and some premium interior finishes.
Safety
The European version gets 6 airbags, electronic stability control, hill start assist, emergency call function and ADAS features like emergency braking, traffic sign recognition and lane keeping assist. Some of these features can be found in India but some can be removed to maintain an affordable price.
Battery
The Kwid EV is likely to get a 26.8kWh lithium-ion battery like the Dacia Spring EV. It can have two motor options – one 33kW (44hp) and the other 48kW (65hp). Both variants will get 125Nm of torque.
Range
The WLTP certified range of this electric hatchback is said to be up to 225 km. This range is considered sufficient for daily commuting in the city. It can be charged in 11 to 13 hours with a domestic AC charger, while charging from 20% to 80% with a 30kW DC fast charger takes just 45 minutes.
Price
The estimated starting price of Renault Kwid EV in India can be around ₹ 7 lakh. It will compete directly with Tata Tiago EV (₹ 7.99 lakh), MG Comet EV (₹ 7.50 lakh) and Citroen eC3 (₹ 11.99 lakh). Renault plans to make this car the most affordable electric car in India.
Renault Kwid EV can bring a big change in the Indian electric car market. With great design, trusted brand, affordable price and satisfactory range, this car can prove to be a great choice for those customers who are thinking of buying an electric vehicle for the first time.