Customers told that they were on average getting a range of 220-250 km per charge from their electric Nexon, which is about 70-80% of the advertised range of 312 km as certified by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
Tata Motors’ Nexon EV, which is at the center of an ongoing dispute between the Delhi government and the automaker, has its own set of teething problems that come with any new technology, several customers ET spoke to said, but most of them are satisfied with their car.
While this is in line with what conventional vehicles also get against their ARAI-certified mileage, it becomes a concern on electric cars where the lack of sufficient public charging infrastructure causes range anxiety.
The Delhi government had decided to withdraw the purchase incentive after it received a consumer complaint of the car never getting more than 200 km of range. A similar problem was raised in a viral social media video by a Delhi-based doctor, which the transport department cited in its order. If strict action were not taken after receiving such complaints, consumers may be discouraged to buy EVs, the order read.
A doctor who made the social media video. He said even after multiple software updates and servicing, he is getting a range of about 160 km. He arrived at the number by extrapolating the range he received in small drives.
Another Nashik-based customer said he was receiving about 150-160 km of range, which improved to 200 after a software update. He has since sold his car.
Experts, customers, and Tata Motors said range could be affected by various factors like driving style, air conditioner usage, and traffic and road conditions. Moreover, the car consumes a lot of battery while starting up, which could significantly affect its range if driven on small trips.
Tata Motors’ test drivers managed to get about 250 km of range from Sharma’s car when they took it in for testing.
Tata Motors spokesperson said: “This is just an isolated complaint filed by a customer. The majority of our customers are happy with the performance of our vehicle, satisfy all policy and eligibility criteria of the Central Government’s FAME II Policy (for promoting electric vehicles) and the Delhi EV Policy 2020, wherein the minimum range required is 140 km full charge.”
A Delhi-based architect who has owned electric cars since 2014, said he normally gets 230-250 km of range on his Nexon EV under normal driving with the air conditioner on. But, under ideal conditions, he has even managed to squeeze 407 km out of his car in a single charge.
“It is all about the driving style. Most energy is consumed while accelerating. Even I can get 120 km of range if I drive differently. However, the range wasn’t the only issue to have troubled Nexon EV owners.
Software updates also helped improve the range of the car and solve a few other smaller issues which come with any new technology, they said.
