The latest report on the Tata Punch EV from our long-term fleet focused on how it performs in city settings. We highlighted both its strengths and weaknesses. This time, we’re going to extend our evaluation outside the city limits and explore its highway capabilities.

So, what’s great about it?

Comfort and Entertainment Needs

Despite resembling an SUV, the Punch is an electric vehicle with batteries integrated into the floor pan. This design ensures that the cabin floor isn’t too high, making for easy entry and exit. Four passengers can sit comfortably inside, with a fifth fitting in the second row—though it may be a bit cozy due to some shoulder overlap. The lack of a floor hump maximizes legroom for everyone.

The light interior creates a welcoming atmosphere, while the sunroof allows natural light to flood in perfect for enjoying scenic views on your travels. When parked, you can transform the central display into your personal movie screen streaming content from Amazon Prime and more options available at your fingertips. This high-definition screen truly enhances your overall experience.

Storage Space

Every new Tata vehicle is well-regarded for its roomy interiors, and the Punch EV definitely lives up to that reputation. Each door comes with spacious bottle holders, plus extra room for sunglasses, umbrellas, and other essentials. The center console boasts additional storage at the front, cup holders in between, and internal space under the armrest. While it may lack AC vents and a USB port in the second row, there’s still a spot to stash your phone either below or in the seat-back pockets. And let’s not forget about its impressive 366-litre boot space—it can easily accommodate luggage for four people with a mix of three or four soft bags along with two medium-sized hard cases.

Strong Performance

Don’t let its small size fool you the Punch EV is anything but weak. This electric car delivers powerhouse performance with its 35kWh variant generating an impressive 121bhp and 190Nm of torque—far surpassing the 25kWh version’s 80bhp and 114Nm. Its compact design makes driving an exhilarating experience as it offers instant response and agility on the road.

DC Charging

With the ability to utilize a 7.4kW charger or higher, the Punch EV stands out as an incredibly practical choice thanks to its fast charging capabilities. In our testing with a 7.4kW AC charger, we found that it took just 7.5 hours to charge from 0-100%, six hours from 35-100%, and only two hours from 65-100%. When using chargers with a capacity of 35kWh or more, you can fully recharge in under an hour! This feature is undeniably convenient—imagine topping up your battery while savoring breakfast or enjoying your last sip of coffee during a long road trip.

What’s not so great?

Range Anxiety

Unfortunately, there’s still range anxiety to consider. On average, our Punch EV delivered around 250km on a full charge (from 100-0%), but most users would prefer to avoid that scenario. In real-world driving conditions, you can realistically expect around 210-230km before needing to hunt for another charging station—a situation that doesn’t inspire much confidence for intercity travel. Despite having DC charging support, constantly searching for chargers on the highway can be a frustrating experience.

No Rear AC Vents: A Missed Comfort Element

While the cooling efficiency is commendable, the absence of dedicated rear AC vents affects overall comfort. Front passengers enjoy quick cooling, but rear occupants experience a delay, especially in hot and humid conditions. Moreover, as seen in the image, the front vents have stopped working, raising concerns about long-term durability.

Software Glitches and Reliability Concerns

Unfortunately, our Punch EV had to visit the service center twice. On the bright side, Tata Motors provided a temporary replacement vehicle during the repairs. The car faced multiple software-related issues, including connectivity failures with the ZConnect/iRA app, an infotainment system that once failed to load, and sporadic warning signs on the instrument cluster, such as the handbrake and traction control indicators appearing without reason. Even the service replacement unit experienced an auto-hold error and had to be towed. While these issues did not persist, they certainly raised concerns about system reliability. Thankfully, the final month with the car was trouble-free.