Mahindra has just expanded its electric vehicle range with the launch of the e2o Plus. Billed as a more practical form of the standard e2o, this new addition comes with four doors, improved space and comfort and more driving range. While the entry level P4 variant is priced at Rs 5.46 lakh, the top-spec P8 e2o Plus comes in at Rs 8.46 lakh.
Looking at prices, the e2o Plus shares market space with a lot of mid-size hatchbacks and compact sedans. How does it compare, then, to other vehicles straddling this space?
In essence, the e2o Plus is the four door version of the standard e2o that has been on sale for quite some time now. That said, Mahindra has done a lot more than just add two extra doors. The Plus, in fact, gets an updated electric motor with bigger capacity batteries for improved range of around 140km on a single charge. As for recharging, the e2o Plus takes 9 hours to fully recharge although one can also opt for quick charging which takes the battery level from 0 to 95 per cent in 90mins.
However, despite the improved range and the two extra doors, we are still not sure if the e2o Plus can be deemed as an ideal alterative to similarly priced cars. Take the top-spec P8 variant, for instance. At Rs 8.46 lakh ex-showroom Delhi, it is priced along the lines of diesel and petrol powered variants of cars like the Elite i20, the Ertiga, the EcoSport and even the newly launched Ameo.
For your e2o Plus P8’s worth, you could have a diesel powered Ameo in the fairly loaded Highline trim. If anything, the Ameo Highline is noticeably cheaper at Rs 8.17 lakh and comes with class leading features like cruise control, rain-sensing wipers and the highly impressive DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox in the AT variant for Rs 8.50 lakh. And if its features you are after then the Elite i20 also makes a lot of sense. At Rs 8.49 lakh for the Asta 1.4 CRDI variant, the Elite i20 makes for a compelling buy when you look at the well-built and feature-rich cabin as well as the big car looks that this car offers.
The e2o Plus is priced closer to quite a few utility vehicles as well. For the price of one, Maruti sells the Ertiga in the ZXI trim which comes in at Rs 8.13 lakh. Sure, the petrol powered Ertiga is nowhere as cheap to run or as easy to park as the e2o, however, it does pack in a lot of space and it’s also a lot more versatile overall. Speaking of versatility, finally there’s the Ford EcoSport. Now in this price bracket, you could either have the turbocharged petrol i.e. EcoBoost model or the more efficient 1.5-litre diesel model in a lower trim for Rs 8.32 lakh.
