As the world moves towards more environmentally friendly energy sources, Electric vehicles (EVs) define the future of mobility, and as their popularity grows, so does the demand for affordable and efficient batteries. The Indian electric vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 66.52% from $3.21 billion in 2022 to $113.99 billion by 2029.
A global increase in EV demand, fueled by factors such as government incentives, has resulted in an increase in lithium mining. This has reduced the cost of lithium-ion batteries per kilowatt-hour.
But still, there are many concerns for the common man when it comes to shopping for an EV. This majorly includes the price of the battery, the battery replacement cost, and the frequency of charging, because the battery pack of an EV accounts for 40% -50% of its cost. And this cost is the largest single factor in the price difference between conventional vehicles and EVs.
Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle, specifically the Tata Nexon EV or Tata Tigor EV, but have questions about the critical factors surrounding their EV battery? In this blog, we will be discussing everything you need to know about the EV battery of these two popular Tata models. We’ve got you covered on everything from the price of their EV battery to their battery warranty, battery capacity, and more. So by the end of the article, I hope you will be in a better position to understand the EV car market before going for a purchase.
So before going further deep into the topic let’s have a quick glance at some basics of what makes EVs more expensive and certain things to be kept in mind when choosing an EV. So let’s dive into the world of EVs
Why are electric vehicles expensive?
In reality, EVs are less complicated than conventional vehicles. The absence of an IC engine and several mechanical elements reduces the functioning complexity of an EV. The battery pack, electric motor, and transmission are the three most important components of an EV. While the motor powers electric vehicles, the battery pack is the virtual heart and soul of an EV because it is crucial for storing electrical energy, making it the most expensive component.
Currently, battery-powered vehicles use lithium-ion technology. EV batteries require rare earth metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and others, which are not easily available and must be mined, increasing the cost of the battery and increasing the whole cost of an EV. Additional factors that influence the price of an EV include the high cost of R&D, high-end technology, and auto insurance costs. Because the value of an electric car is high, the insurance premium is likewise higher than that of a petrol/diesel car.
So, when will electric vehicles become affordable? The primary problem that EV manufacturers face is the high cost of battery technology. Yet, as technology advances, as well as government subsidies and other forms of support, battery prices will eventually fall. According to sources, the price of a lithium-ion battery in 2010 was around $ 1200/KWh, and in 2019 it was close to $200/KWh, and the price is expected to reach $60-$70KWh by 2030.
So with that being said let’s get familiar with some basics one should be aware of EV batteries.
What is battery capacity and range?
Battery technology used in electric vehicles is fundamentally the same, where hundreds of individual cells are packed into modules of pockets to make one large battery. There are common types of battery EV use are
- Lithium-ion battery
- Nickel-metal hydride
The most commonly used are Li-ion batteries.
- Battery capacity: The capacity of an EV battery is measured in KWh or kilowatt hours. It is the battery’s energy capacity, or its ability to deliver a power output (kilowatts) over time (hours). A 50kWh battery, for example, can provide 50 kilowatts of electricity for an hour. Driving at a higher speed consumes more KWh, but if you just drive short distances, the battery can last for several hours. As a result, it is clear that the EV’s range is determined by the battery capacity. So more capacity is always better
In simple words buying an EV with higher kWh is like buying a car with a large petrol/diesel tank which can help you drive more kilometers without refilling. So it’s important to consider the battery’s estimated range on a full charge when shopping for an EV.
- Battery Range: It refers to how far an EV can go on a fully charged battery. The battery capacity determines the range of an EV. Typically, EVs give a certain ARAI-certified range at the time of launch, however, the actual driving range may be shorter than what was promised due to the influence of a variety of factors like weather conditions(EV’s battery charge will diminish quickly in extremely cold or hot weather), age of the battery, load on the vehicle as a heavier vehicle will consume more energy to maintain a given speed than a lighter one.
With that being said let’s move to the core content of the blog where we learn more about the two leading passenger EVs in the Indian market
What is the TATA Nexon EV battery price?
Standard Tata Nexon EV uses a Lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 30.2KWh. In India, the price of a 1KWh battery pack currently ranges between Rs 18,000 and Rs 22,000. Considering the Nexon EV battery capacity, the EV battery replacement will cost between 5.43 lakh and 6.64 lakhs. Nevertheless, when it comes to the Tata Nexon EV Max, it has a battery capacity of 40.5KWh and would cost between Rs 7.3 lakh and Rs 8.91 lakhs.
With that being said let’s look further at the battery warranty offered by the company
Tata Nexon EV battery warranty
Tata Nexon EV offers a battery and motor warranty of eight years or 1.60 lakh kilometers whichever comes first. If the battery fails within this time, you will receive a free battery replacement. Normally the battery on EVs is expected to last 10-20 years before needing to be replaced.
Tata Nexon EV battery life and cost
In addition to the battery replacement cost of a Nexon EV and Nexon EV Max described above, other factors can cause fluctuations in the total battery replacement cost. These factors include the cost of labor, location, and parts, which can vary from one service center to another. Also, the vehicle’s age and mileage can have a part in deciding the cost.
Now let’s look at the driving range offered by Tata Nexon EV
Tata Nexon EV battery life in km
The standard Tata Nexon has an ARAI-certified(Automotive Research Association of India) range of 312 km, whilst the Nexon EV Max promises a driving range of 437 km on a single charge. Nevertheless, the ARAI measures range in extremely ideal conditions, so it can’t be compared with real-world range. The actual range may differ due to a variety of factors such as the vehicle’s load (passengers, cargo), speed (driving at high speeds consumes more energy (KWh), battery quality, road topography, and many more.
Tata Nexon EV battery capacity and charging criteria
The standard Nexon EV has a battery capacity of 30.2KWh, whilst the Nexon EV Max has a capacity of 40.5KWh. Currently, the Nexon EV can only be charged with a 3.3KWh portable charger. The Nexon EV Max, on the other hand, is slated to have two charging options, one included with the car and a more powerful 7.2kWh option for an additional cost of Rs 60,000- Rs 70,000.
Now let’s look at another EV from the Tata family – Tata Tigor EV
Tata Tigor EV battery capacity and driving range
The Tata Tigor EV has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 26KWh. It has an ARAI-certified range of 306 kilometers on a single charge. Charging takes 8 hours and 45 minutes with a standard 15A charging port and 65 minutes with a 25KW DC charger.
Tata Tigor EV battery replacement cost
Taking into account what we have stated before, the average battery replacement cost in India is Rs 18,000 – Rs 22,000, and the battery pack of Tigoe EV is 26KWh. Tata Tigor battery replacement cost will be Rs 4.7 lakhs and Rs 5.7 lakhs.
Conclusion
The demand for affordable and efficient batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) is growing as the world moves towards more environmentally friendly energy sources. The Indian EV market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 66.52% from $3.21 billion in 2022 to $113.99 billion by 2029. Despite the benefits of EVs, their high cost is a major concern for many, with the battery pack accounting for 40%-50% of the vehicle cost. However, advancements in technology, government subsidies, and other forms of support are expected to reduce battery prices.
When choosing an EV, is important to consider the battery’s capacity and range. The Tata Nexon EV and Tata Tigor EV are two popular EVs in India, and this article discusses everything you need to know about their batteries, from price to warranty, capacity, and replacement cost. It’s important to note that while battery replacement costs may fluctuate based on location, labor, and parts, the batteries are expected to last 10-20 years before needing replacement. Ultimately, it is recommended to consider the battery capacity, range, and warranty before purchasing an EV to make an informed decision