Tata Motors Launches Punch.ev facelift at Rs 9.69lakhs | Interview with Shailesh Chandra

In this conversation, Sailesh Chandra, MD and CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, outlines the company’s evolving electric vehicle strategy and shares insights into India’s rapidly transforming EV landscape. Chandra explains why the EV market now requires structural changes to sustain growth, highlighting that mid- and high-range EVs have already achieved around 10 percent penetration. He also points out that EVs priced below ₹12 lakh currently account for 65 percent of the market, but are often used as secondary vehicles, while higher-range EVs are seeing stronger traction due to their value proposition. The discussion also addresses customer usage patterns, with Tata Motors’ data showing that 90 percent of intercity drives are under 400 km, reinforcing the viability of EVs for most real-world scenarios. Chandra also details Tata Motors’ efforts to build long-term confidence in EV ownership through initiatives like lifetime battery warranty and plans to introduce battery health certification to strengthen the used EV ecosystem. He shares Tata Motors’ roadmap to drive momentum in entry-level EVs, the importance of prioritising profitable segments, and why EVs are now a core pillar of the company’s future—not an experiment. The conversation also covers the impact of stricter emissions norms on ICE vehicles, global EV trends, hybrid strategy considerations, and the outlook for EV penetration in India, which is expected to reach 15–20 percent by the end of the decade. Chandra also confirms a strong product cycle ahead, with multiple new launches planned as Tata Motors continues to expand its electric portfolio. Key topics covered: • EV adoption trends and market segmentation • Entry-level vs mid- and high-range EV strategy • Real-world EV usage patterns and range relevance • Used EV market development and battery health transparency • Impact of regulations on ICE and EV growth • Tata Motors’ product roadmap and future outlook • EV penetration projections for India Watch the full interview for a detailed perspective on where India’s EV market is headed and Tata Motors’ role in shaping it.