green on the road
When going green on the road, one is spoilt for choice today with the luxury e-vehicle space expanding with models from automotive masters that range from Porche to Skoda, Mini Cooper, Mercedes Benz, and Volvo. Promising high clean and green performance, while combining style and sustainability, these new releases are sure to make heads turn.
Strikingly Stylish
Škoda’s first electric SUV, Enyaq, due for launch in India in late 2024, combines the best of Škoda’s engineering prowess with the benefits of electric mobility. Delivering a smooth and responsive driving experience, the higher-end models are capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in under seven seconds. The instant torque of electric motors ensures brisk acceleration, making city driving and long hauls effortless and enjoyable.
Featuring an aerodynamic silhouette. Škoda Enyaq’s exterior design is characterised by clean lines, a prominent front grille, and sleek LED headlights. Inside, the vehicle features a digital cockpit with customisable display, a panoramic sunroof, powered driver's seat with massage function, three-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and an infotainment system that supports smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It is also equipped with a suite of advanced technologies for enhanced safety and convenience. Available in multiple configurations, it has customisation options in wheel designs, a range of vibrant colour choices, and different battery sizes. The Enyaq incorporates recycled materials and strives for carbon-neutral manufacturing.
Electrifying Drives
Porche Taycan 24, Porsche’s first electric offering in India, comes with an all-new rear electric motor, upgraded battery packs, and an adaptive air suspension as standard. All-wheel drive models can further be optioned with a new Porsche Active Ride suspension that keeps the car’s body level at all times.
Heated front seats, ambient lighting, Park Assist with a reverse camera, wireless smartphone charger, steering-mounted drive mode selector and Porsche Power Steering Plus are standard in this four-door electric saloon. Globally the Porche Taycan 24 comes with a choice of two battery packs—a 79.2kWh standard and a 93.4 kWh performance. The former feeds the electric motors to generate 322bhp while the latter puts out 375bhp.
The Porche Taycan 24 it sits low to the ground with a sloping bonnet, pronounced shoulders, tapering roofline, and LED tail lamps that all part of the classic Porsche design. Inside, it is feature-laden with two-zone climate control, electrically adjustable seats, a curved digital instrument cluster, a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, and more.
Under the skin, the 2024 Taycan has received notable updates across the range and as before is available in standard, Sport Turismo (estate) and Cross Turismo (high-riding estate) body styles and with rear and all-wheel drive powertrains. It has revised bumpers front and rear along with tweaks to the light clusters. All variants also ride on new aero-optimised wheels.
Minimalist Max
The new all-electric Mini Cooper is simplicity at its most charismatic. With flush surfaces, sleek lines and balanced proportions, it has an agile, compact silhouette that is augmented by the long wheelbase and larger wheel diameter. Its self-assured exterior is defined by its distinctive octagonal front grille and sleek circular design of LED headlights.
The beating heart of the interior is the world first circular OLED display, which serves as an instrument cluster as well as onboard infotainment and assistance hub. Also, its new textile aesthetics offer a responsible luxury experience, made as they are from high-quality, recycled materials and knitted with a unique 2D technique. That’s not all: its lightweight design and use of recycled aluminium in its alloy wheels, contributes to reduction in carbon footprint in production and driving.
With a fully charged battery, the vehicle can reach a range up to 249 miles. Its three style options–Classic, Exclusive and Sport—comes with bespoke features and tailored design details for everything from the dashboard, and steering wheel, to the seat upholstery, and the headliner. Then there is the MINI App that shows you remotely via your smartphone your current state of charge, available range, costs, charging time or the nearest charging station and the corresponding costs.
Electric Star
An all-electric equivalent of Mecedes GLA, the Mercedes EQA comes to India as a fully-imported CBU model. Interior features include the current-generation steering wheel with touch control buttons as well as Mercedes‑Benz pattern trim, brown lime open-pore wood and a Mercedes-Benz backlit pattern. Cabin interiors are familiar with Merc’s current EV range with the star-studded pattern on the gloss black panel of the dashboard. It also houses the twin-screen setup featuring a digital driver display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment unit.
Other novelties offered include a touch-capacitive three-spoke steering wheel, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, 64-colour ambient lighting, a Burmester sound system with Dolby Atmos, etc. Besides safety features like multiple airbags, electronic stability control, front and rear parking sensors and ADAS, it has digital extras like digital keys, advanced charging solutions, remote functions and navigation services.
The EQA can also activate additional vehicle functions via Over-the-Air (OTA) technology after purchase according to personal preferences. In international markets, the EQA comes in four variants, with different battery and motor configurations.
Comfort Maximised
Volvo EX90 electric is the first Volvo car to be truly defined by its software and part of a wider ecosystem—connecting to your home and your other devices. Arriving India’s shores in early 2025, it can cover up to 480 km on a single charge with no tailpipe emissions and features future bi-directional charging capabilities. The initially available twin-motor all-wheel drive version will be powered by a 111kWh battery and two permanent magnet electric motors.
This true seven-seater SUV raises standards in safety and a more sustainable lifestyle. It has an invisible shield of safety with state-of-the art sensors connected to the car’s high-performance core computers to create a real-time, 360-degree view of the world and a technology that also allows it to understand when you’re distracted, drowsy or otherwise inattentive. A versatile, stylish family car with modern proportions, EX90 delivers responsible luxury in its cabin upholstery made of progressive materials. The vehicle contains approximately 15 percent of recycled steel, 25 percent of recycled aluminium, and over 105 pounds of recycled plastics and bio-based materials.
Its driving experience is enhanced with 5G and Google built-in on a 14.5-inch infotainment system screen, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Volvo EX90 will be a highly advanced computer on wheels, with phone key technology and regular over-the-air software updates.