Unveiling the Real-World Range of the Tata Nexon EV 4.5: How Far Can India's Popular Electric SUV Truly Go?

In the burgeoning landscape of electric vehicles, the Tata Nexon EV has carved out a significant niche, becoming synonymous with accessible electric mobility in India. Its latest iteration, the Tata Nexon EV 4.5 (formerly known as the Long Range variant), boasts an impressive ARAI-certified range of 465 km.

But as any seasoned EV owner knows, laboratory figures often differ wildly from the dynamic realities of everyday driving. We embarked on a comprehensive real-life range test to uncover the true capabilities of this popular electric SUV, pushing it to its limits to see just how far it can go on a single charge.

Our journey commenced with a fully charged battery, indicating a 'Distance To Empty' (DTE) of 395 km, a figure already more conservative than the official ARAI claim but a common sight in EVs.

The test route was meticulously planned to replicate a mixed driving scenario, incorporating both urban traffic and open highway stretches – conditions that accurately reflect the usage patterns of most Indian drivers. Crucially, the air conditioning was set to a comfortable 22°C throughout the test, acknowledging that AC usage is an undeniable factor in India's climate and significantly impacts real-world range.

The test began with 99% battery charge, showing a DTE of 395 km.

As we navigated through city limits and onto the highway, the Nexon EV 4.5 performed admirably. The vehicle's 'Eco' mode was primarily engaged to maximize efficiency, with occasional forays into 'Sport' mode for quick overtakes or to test its responsiveness. The driving style was kept consistent with that of an average user – no aggressive acceleration or braking, but also not hypermiling.

We aimed for a realistic representation.

Initial observations were positive. The Nexon EV's regenerative braking system proved effective in recouping energy, particularly in stop-and-go traffic. On the highway, maintaining a steady speed between 80-90 km/h yielded decent efficiency. However, as the kilometers piled on, the discrepancy between the DTE readout and actual distance covered started to become apparent.

The car’s infotainment system and the ZConnect app provided real-time updates on battery status and range, allowing us to monitor consumption closely.

After traversing a significant distance, the battery level dropped below the 20% mark, triggering a 'low battery' warning – a critical point for any EV driver.

At this juncture, the DTE displayed approximately 70 km, suggesting there was still a comfortable buffer. However, our focus was on pushing the vehicle until it practically ran out of juice, to understand its true bottom line. The vehicle ultimately came to a halt after covering an impressive 317.8 kilometers.

This figure was achieved with the air conditioning running continuously and a realistic mixed driving cycle.

Breaking down the numbers, the Tata Nexon EV 4.5 delivered a real-world range of approximately 318 km under conditions that many Indian drivers would consider standard. While this is a significant deviation from the ARAI-certified 465 km, it’s important to note that a 30% reduction from ARAI figures is not uncommon across the EV industry, especially when factoring in AC use and varied driving conditions.

For daily commutes and even moderately long inter-city trips, 318 km is a highly usable range.

This comprehensive test reveals that while the Tata Nexon EV 4.5 doesn’t hit its advertised peak, its real-world performance is still robust and practical. Buyers should anticipate a usable range in the low 300s under typical Indian driving conditions with AC.

This makes it a formidable contender in the electric SUV segment, offering a compelling blend of range, features, and affordability, proving that the Nexon EV 4.5 continues to be a smart choice for those looking to embrace electric mobility without range anxiety becoming a constant companion, as long as expectations are grounded in real-world data rather than purely laboratory figures.