Is Tata Nexon EV worth buying? Ownership cost breakdown

Electric vehicles have rapidly evolved in India, and Tata Motors has been a clear leader in driving this change. The Tata Nexon EV stands out as the best-selling electric SUV in the country—but when you take a step back from the buzz and look at your wallet and daily needs, is it truly worth buying? Let’s delve deep into answers, using real-world ownership data, financial breakdowns, and honest insight into the 2025 model.

1. Price: Upfront Investment in Perspective

The Tata Nexon EV 2025 comes in multiple variants, offering options for different budgets and range requirements:

• Ex-showroom price: ₹12.49 lakh (Entry-level Medium Range) to ₹17.19 lakh (Top-end Long Range variant)
• Typical on-road price: ₹13.14 lakh to ₹18.5 lakh (varies with your city, insurance, taxes, and RTO charges)

While this is higher than petrol or diesel Nexon siblings, it still undercuts international rivals and most other electric SUVs in India.

2. What Do You Get For The Price?

Feature Highlights:

• Safety: 5-star Global NCAP—highest for any Indian SUV in its segment
• Design: Facelifted and contemporary, with improved aerodynamics
• Tech & Comfort: Panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, connected car tech, premium sound (JBL), ventilated seats
• Practicality: Spacious cabin, good boot (350+ liters), 60:40 split seats, flat floor at the rear

Battery & Range:

• Battery options:
  • 30 kWh (Medium Range)
  • 45 kWh (Long Range)
• Real-world range (actual owners):
  • ~275–300 km (Medium Range)
  • 350–375 km (Long Range), with some stretching to 400 km with gentle driving
• Charging times:
  • Fast charging (DC 50kW): 10–80% in under 60 minutes
  • Home wall box (AC): 6-8 hours for full charge (overnight)

3. Breaking Down Real Ownership Costs

A. Capital Costs & Government Incentives

• FAME II subsidy: Up to ₹1.5 lakh, depending on central/state policy
• Additional state incentives: Waiver of registration charges in states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Delhi; lower road taxes in several states

B. Charging & Running Costs

• Home charging (most common):
  • Per unit cost: ₹7 (varies by state)
  • Long Range full charge (45 kWh): 45 × ₹7 = ₹315
  • Range per full charge: ~370 km
  • Effective cost/km: 85 paise
    (For comparison: Petrol Nexon: ₹7/km+)
• Annual running cost (15,000 km):
  • Nexon EV: ~₹13,000
  • Petrol Nexon: ~₹90,000

C. Annual Savings

• Fuel savings alone: ₹75,000–₹1,00,000/year (depending on driving)

D. Maintenance

• EVs = Fewer moving parts (no engine oil, fewer fluids, no exhaust, no clutch)
• Routine service cost:
  • ~₹1,200–1,500 quarterly (~₹5,000–6,000/year only)
  • Petrol equivalent: ₹10,000–15,000/year (due to complex engine, clutch, etc.)
• Battery health:
  • Lifetime battery warranty on Long Range models
  • Batteries proven to last over 2 lakh km with minimal capacity loss

E. Insurance & Depreciation

• Insurance premiums: Slightly higher initially, but reducing as volumes increase
• Depreciation:
  • Old EVs depreciated faster, but the Nexon EV bucks the trend—used EVs are in demand, and value retention is improving

4. Owner Experiences: Living With the Nexon EV

Urban & Highway Use

• City: Near-perfect for commuting—silent, zippy, and easily maneuverable; AC doesn’t drastically drop range
• Highway: Range anxiety is minimal for trips under 250–300 km; longer trips possible with a little planning due to growing highway fast-charger presence
• Charging network: Tata’s own ZipCharge network plus third-party chargers in every metro and most major tier-2 cities; rural infrastructure still limited

Practical Ownership Stories

• Batteries lasting well beyond 100,000 km—some owners have clocked over 2 lakh km
• Minimal unscheduled maintenance: Mostly tyre changes and software updates
• Cabin insulation and ride quality praised compared to its price segment

5. Five-Year Cost Breakdown (Estimated, 15,000 km/year)

Petrol SUV for similar use: Over ₹12 lakh (mainly because of higher fuel and maintenance costs)

You Must Explore: Tata Electric Cars & Price

6. Strengths & Weaknesses: Is It Right For You?

Advantages

• Incredibly low running costs: Up to 75% savings on daily driving/fuel
• Minimal maintenance and fuss: No regular oil changes, no clutch replacements, fewer breakdowns
• Peace of mind: Long battery warranty and robust aftersales support from Tata
• Safety & comfort: Leading crash safety scores; feature-rich, plush cabin
• Resale demand: Getting stronger as the pre-owned EV market matures

Considerations

• Charging at home: Essential for most owners unless you live near a DC fast charger
• Intercity travel: Practical up to 350 km; need to plan for charging on longer trips
• Initial price premium: Higher up-front cost than petrol/diesel, but recouped quickly for those who drive >1,000 km/month

Conclusion: Is the Tata Nexon EV Worth Buying in 2025?

For most urban and suburban Indian households, professionals, and anyone clocking over 10,000 km/year, the Tata Nexon EV is a smart, future-ready choice. Its ownership costs are among the lowest for any SUV in India today, and it’s packed with features, safety, and Tata’s rapidly improving EV ecosystem.

• If you have a parking spot where you can install a charger, drive regularly, and want peace of mind from fuel price hikes and bans on older petrol/diesel vehicles: Nexon EV is a future-proof investment.
• If your travel is mostly within the city or short outstation trips, it will pay for itself within a few years through unmatched savings.

The Tata Nexon EV isn’t just the most practical electric car on Indian roads today—it’s setting the benchmark for affordable, reliable, and enjoyable electric mobility. If your lifestyle matches its strengths, it’s absolutely worth buying.