MG Motor India has introduced the base variant of the Comet EV for Rs 7.98 lakh, almost a week after giving it a sneak peek. Bookings for this model will open on May 15 with deliveries beginning in a few cities the same month. After the ZS EV, which was introduced in India in 2020, this is the Chinese-owned British brand’s second electric vehicle (EV).

In the urban EV class, the Comet EV, which enters as the most affordable electric vehicle on the Indian market, will compete against the Tata Tiago EV and the Citroen EC3. MG Motor India has not yet disclosed the range of prices for all of its models, all of which will be offered in many variations.

The company is focusing largely on clients who prefer a zero-emission vehicle that has a “lower running cost” compared to “conventional” automobiles and is marketing its entry model as a “viable urban mobility option.”

President and managing director of MG Motor India, Rajeev Chaba, stated that “with the Comet EV, we aim to empower our customers to make a smart choice without compromising on style or convenience.” The car is intended for clients who travel less than 100 km per day, he had previously stated. Additionally, he said that the car won’t be sold at a loss by the business.

The two-door electric hatchback will reportedly have a 17.3 kWh battery pack with a claimed range of 230 km after a full charge, according to MG Motor India.  Furthermore, the 3.3kW unit will need to be charged for seven hours for a 0-100 per cent charge and five hours for a 10-80 per cent charge. According to the manufacturer, it has a single motor that is positioned on the back axle and has a maximum torque of 110Nm and a peak power output of 42PS.

Amidst a roundtable conference, Chaba said that less than 2% of vehicles in India are electric. However, this number will rise. He further added that when penetration rates in India approach 10% and there are more options for customers in the Rs. 10 lakh price range that will be the turning point.