Once upon a time, even a ₹15 lakh budget meant compromise. You’d shortlist a mid-size petrol SUV, maybe a premium hatchback, check the mileage figures (claim and reality), and negotiate for accessories. But that same budget gets you something incredibly more interesting today—electric cars that are quieter, faster, and unmistakably modern.
The change is no longer theoretical. You can see it on city roads, in office parking lots, and inside residential charging bays. The electric vehicles in this price range are no longer niche experiments. They’re convenient, torquey as hell, and in many cases better than their petrol equivalents.
These are some of the cars that you can buy for ₹15 lakh today — and why mainstream petrols now seem like yesterday’s technology.
2026 Electric cars under ₹15 lakh rupees in india-
Tata Punch EV
Price: Rs 6.49 – 12.59 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: Up to 40 kWh
Claimed Range: Up to 355 km
Power: Up to 127 bhp
Small in form, big in guts: The Punch EV is one of the most approachable entry points to electric transportation. What sets it apart is not just the pricing — it’s versatility.
The lineup begins at ₹6.49 lakh (Smart 30 kWh with battery as a service option) and tops out at ₹12.59 lakh for the top-of-the-line Empowered Plus S 40 kWh. Buyers can choose 30-kWh or 40-kWh batteries; they offer ranges of 260-275 km and 335-355 km, respectively.
Notable variants include:
- Smart Plus 30 kWh – ₹ 10.29 lakh | 87 bhp | 260-275 km
- Smart Plus 40 kWh – ₹10.89 lakh | 127 bhp | 335-355 km
- Adventure 40 kWh – Rs 11.59 lakh
- Empowered 40 kWh: ₹12.29 lakh
- Empowered Plus S 40 kWh – ₹12.59 lakh
In the 40kWh versions, you get healthy 127 bhp performance, and this compact SUV feels much more lively than its stature would suggest on the road. Stop-and-go traffic in the city becomes a delight with instant torque, making it easy to overtake! And Music at the Mansion February specials sweeten the arrangement even more.
This is me making excuses, I know, but for urban buyers, the combination of price flexibility (well, at least after January 1st), range options, and SUV practicality would be hard to overlook.
Tata Tiago EV
Price: ₹7.99 – ₹11.14 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: Up to 24 kWh
Range: Up to 315 km
Power: 73.75 bhp
When price is your key consideration, the Tiago EV continues to make a strong case for itself in India’s electric hatchback market.
The entry model XE MR is priced at ₹7.99 lakh and boasts a 19.2 kWh battery that offers a range of 250 km. Step up to the 24 kWh long-range models, and you lose just 1 km per charge.
Key variants include:
- XT LR – ₹10.14 lakh | 24 kWh battery with 315 km range
- XZ Plus Tech LUX LR – ₹11.14 lakh | 24 kWh | 315km
The 73.75 bhp price feels just right for the city. Sleek, silent, and graceful, the Tiago EV turns commuting into a hassle-free ritual. More importantly, topping up at home while you sleep is going to be a massive cost saver compared with your weekly tank fill with petrol.
For many first-time EV buyers, this hatchback is where it makes sense to start.
Tata Tigor EV
Price: ₹12.49 – ₹13.75 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: 26 kWh
Range: 315 km
Power: 73.75 bhp
Sedan lovers aren’t left behind. The Tigor EV comes across as consistently efficient if you like it gift-wrapped in a conventional three-box form.
The 26 kWh battery provides a range of 315 km across all four powertrains – XE, XT, XZ+, and XZ+ LUX. It’s especially popular among fleet operators, though its practicality and composed ride are also appreciated by private buyers.
On the other hand, if you prefer a sedan stance over SUV styling, the Tigor EV is here to ensure your ₹15 lakh budget stays in the electric space.
Tata Nexon EV
Price: ₹12.49 – ₹17.49 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: Up to 45 kWh
Range: Up to 489 km
Power: Up to 142 bhp
Probably one of the most common electric SUVs we see on Indian roads, the Nexon EV manages to strike a perfect balance between performance and usability.
The range starts at ₹12.49 lakh (Core Plus MR, 30 kWh, 275 km, 127 bhp). Step up to the 45 kWh options, however, and the range soars to an arguably incredible 489 km with 142 bhp.
Standout variants include:
- Creative 45 – ₹13.99 lakh | 489 km | 142 bhp
- Fearless 45 – ₹14.99 lakhs | 489 km | 142 bhp
The extended versions ‘Dark’ and ‘Red Dark’ will cost up to ₹17.49 lakh.
Complete peace of mind driving; Genuine highway capability. The Nexon EV makes range anxiety a thing of the past. And with 500+ kms of strong output credentials, you don’t leave anything to be desired.
MG Windsor EV
Price: ₹14 – ₹18.50 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: Up to 52.9 kWh
Range: Up to 449 km
Power: 134 bhp
You have a brand-new EV that’s positioned as a premium-leaning electric SUV in the form of the MG Windsor EV – it would offer plenty of style with substance.
The Excite version is priced from ₹14 lakh and comes with a 38 kWh battery pack that delivers up to 332 km. The upper grades—Exclusive Pro and Essence Pro—employ a 52.9 kWh pack for an official range of 449 km.
Performance is strong, with 134bhp on tap – although not overly aggressive. It’s meant for the buyer looking for electric efficiency wrapped in a more upscale package.
Mahindra XUV 3XO EV
Price: ₹13.89 – ₹14.96 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: 39.4 kWh
Range: 456 km
Power: 147.51 bhp
Sharp styling meets serious numbers. The XUV 3XO EV, on the other hand, boasts a range of 456 km and does robust 147.51 bhp—numbers that rival those of larger automaker SUVs.
Variants include:
- AX5 – ₹13.89 lakh
- AX7L – ₹14.96 lakh
They both have the same 39.4kWh battery. For drivers who like to focus on acceleration and handling, this SUV feels downright frisky.
Citroen eC3
Price: ₹12.90 – ₹13.41 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: 29.2 kWh
Range: 320 km
Power: 56.21 bhp
Unique exterior styling sets the eC3 apart immediately. Beneath the unconventional exterior is a 29.2 kWh battery pack that promises to return 320km of range.
Sold in Feel, Shine, and Shine DT trims, it prioritises comfort and daily usability over all-out performance.
For people who appreciate individuality, it brings European sensibilities to the compact EV segment.
Maruti e Vitara
Price: ₹15.99 – ₹20.01 lakh
Seating: 5
Battery: Up to 61 kWh
Range: Up to 543 km
Power: Up to 172 bhp
For those willing to press the budget ever so slightly past ₹15 lakh, the e Vitara is a statement of serious intent.
The Delta variant (₹ 15.99 lakh) comes with a 49 kWh battery and a range of up to 440 km. Move up to the 61 kWh models, and the range calculates in at 339 miles with plenty of power (172 bhp).
Zeta, Alpha, and the Alpha Dual Tone trims nudge ₹20 lakh, respectively; they also illustrate how quickly EV performance is accelerating.
Why Petrol Cars Now Feel Outdated
Compare these figures with those for similarly priced petrol cars. You’ll notice something striking.
- Response of instant torque compared to building up over revs.
- Near-silent cabins versus engine noise.
- Reduced operating costs compared to rising petrol prices.
- Fewer moving parts versus mechanical complexity.
Electric cars in the ₹15 lakh budget now offer ranges of 300-500 km, power outputs of 120-170 bhp, and feature-packed cabins. They aren’t compromises. They’re upgrades.
A decade ago, picking electric meant making a sacrifice. These days, it’s usually a question of moving to an altogether quieter, more efficient, and more high-tech future.
The question isn’t whether you can buy an electric car with this budget, but whether sticking with petrol still makes sense.
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Hey, I’m Badal! I’m super passionate about cars—especially electric ones. Whether it’s EVs, electric trucks, bikes, or anything with a battery and wheels, I’m all in. I love writing blogs and articles that break things down for fellow enthusiasts and curious readers alike. Hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do! Enjoyed reading? You can buy me a coffee on PayPal ☕ → paypal.me/BadalBanjare
