Is Tata Harrier EV even possible?
Tata has pioneered the affordable EV segment in India. It tasted success by majorly converting its existing ICE cars into battery-powered electric vehicles. This strategy helped buyers get introduced to a new technology but in a familiar car. Since the ICE versions are already on sale, buyers are familiar with the integral quality and safety of the car, and same is extended to the EV versions as well. The prices were also not a major problem as it was encapsulating the electric technology rather than a completely new product. With this whole plan in hand, Tata today has cars like the Tigor EV, Nexon EV Prime & Nexon EV Max in the market. The upcoming Tiago EV is their next electric offering. Now, if rumours and media reports are to be believed, there’s one more car, to be precise, the Tata Harrier, that could get soon undergo through the same electrification strategy. But, the biggest question here is that is the Tata Harrier EV even a possibility? Let’s discuss more.
New Tata Electric SUV
Tata has laid out its expansion plan in the EV range. Albeit the early bird advantage in the market, the brand has to maintain its stronghold by offering more EVs. It has already been announced that Tata could bring 10 new EVs by 2025. We can expect EVs in different segments but one segment we are sure of is the SUV category. Now, Tata has the Nexon EV in the compact SUV segment and we will also get to see the Curvv electric midsize SUV, which introduced the brand’s Generation 2 EV platform. Moreover, the Punch EV is also expected in 2024. Latest rumours suggest that a Tata Harrier EV is in the works.
What could it be like?
While some rumours suggest that Tata is working on the Harrier EV, while some media reports suggest that it a Harrier-based EV. Now, talking about this upcoming electric car, Tata is said to be working on a new Harrier-sized electric SUV codenamed the ‘Eturna’. Reports suggest that it is already undergoing tests at the Tata manufacturing plant. The car has successfully completed its ‘mule’ testing and has entered the Alpha test phase.
What about the platform? The ICE Harrier is based on the modified version of Land Rover’s D8 platform. It is called ‘Omega-Arc’ and also underpins the Safari. It is touted that Tata could modify this platform to encase the EV tech in it, but one thing that bugs the mind are the expected cost of undertaking these modifications.
Now, one more interesting thing to take into consideration is that Tata derived the Omega-Arc from the D8 platform. This means that Tata would have definitely done some modifications to make it future-proof during the initial stages itself. Why do we think so? Last year, a Tata spokesperson claimed that all Tata cars can go electric from the next day if the brands plans to do so. So, nothing can be commented firmly regarding whether the Omega-Arc platform will undergo some modifications or not for this EV.
New Tata Electric SUV – What else we can expect?
Talking more about the car, the battery pack could get beefier to power the big & bulky SUV. Other changes are expected in the external and internal appearance of the car. As Tata is known to electrify its EVs with Signature Teal Blue accents, this new one could also get it. What about pricing? Nothing is official yet but this EV could start from somewhere between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 33 lakh. If Tata provides a real-world range above 400kms, there are high chances of it becoming an instant success. The all-new EV is said to enter the market by mid-2023.
So, the final question that remains here is that, is the Harrier EV even possible? Possibly yes, given Tata has already taken care of the modifications for the platform. Incurring over the top costs would not make sense since that will affect the final pricing as well. We will thus have to wait to see how this electric SUV turns out.
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