Electric vehicles (EVs) are witnessing strong demand in the Indian market. Tata Motors currently leads the segment, commanding nearly 43% market share as of July 2026, followed by Mahindra and JSW MG Motor. The Tata Nexon EV and Punch EV are the major volume drivers, attracting a growing number of first-time EV buyers. Aiming to challenge Tata’s dominance in the EV segment, Hyundai and Kia are planning to introduce locally developed compact electric SUVs in 2027.
New Hyundai Compact EV
Hyundai has confirmed that its all-new compact EV will be designed, engineered and developed specifically for the Indian market. It’s likely to hit showrooms by March, 2027. While official details are still under the wraps, the new Hyundai compact SUV is expected to be based on the Hyundai Inster EV sold in European markets. It is likely to underpin the E-GMP (K) platform and could be offered in Standard Range and Long Range versions.
The Hyundai Inster EV is globally available with the 42kWh (Standard Range) and 49kWh (Long Range) battery options, delivering claimed WLTP ranges of 300km and 355km, respectively. While the Standard Range version comes with a 97bhp, 147Nm electric motor, the Long-Range version is paired with a 115bhp, 147Nm motor.
In terms of features, the new Hyundai compact EV is expected to offer a dual display setup comprising a touchscreen infotainment system and a digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, a 360-degree camera with blind spot monitoring, OTA (over-the-air) updates, in-car connectivity tech, multiple airbags and ADAS.
New Kia Compact EV
At its 2026 CEO Investor Day, Kia has confirmed four new electrified models for the Indian market, including the Selots hybrid, Sonet hybrid, Carens Clavis hybrid and a compact EV. The upcoming electric SUV will be a Made-in-India model and is expected to measure around 4.2 metres in length. More details about the upcoming Kia compact EV are expected to be revealed in near future.