The Tiago EV has grown on me and how! It came right in time at the onset of monsoon, and the convenience of a compact hatchback was hard to resist. And it’s an EV which, besides being outrageously economical, is good fun to drive in city traffic. In fact, the Tiago EV feels like the perfect fun city car that’s more practical than the MG Comet simply because it has two doors and a large boot.
The electric motor delivers ample performance, and more importantly, the highlight of an EV is the instant torque available from idle. Overtaking cars and rickshaws is as easy as a tap on the accelerator pedal. In fact, between the Tiago EV’s compact dimensions and eager motor, my commutes are executed in quick time besides being more fun.
Another advantage of driving an EV hatchback in the city is the massive savings. In the city, the electric motor delivers around 106Wh per km. That translates to a running cost of ₹2.33 per kilometre or ₹247 for a full charge. Now, given my monthly running of around 700 kilometres per month, driving the Tiago EV lightens my wallet by around ₹1,600. That’s more affordable than running a 200cc motorcycle! Of course, this does not include service cost, a topic I will approach soon.
The other benefit is the Tiago EV’s fast charging capabilities that allow for charging from 10-80 percent in under an hour. However, given that I have used it mainly in the city and have access to my personal 15-amp charging plug, I have only used fast charging a couple of times. That said, it’s a great option if I would like to travel out of the city and should not be an issue given the rapidly growing charging infrastructure in the city. So the Tiago EV isn’t just massively practical for city use, it’s quite fun too!
