Living with the Tata Punch EV: Early Ownership Experience in Daily City Use

I’ve been driving the Tata Punch EV (long-range variant with the 35 kWh battery) for a few months now, and my usage is just under 3,000–3,500 km until recently. The car is predominantly for daily office commutes in a crowded Indian city (approx: 40–50 km/day), occasional grocery trips, school drops and short weekend drives as well.

Even in this early ownership phase, the Punch EV has already settled into our routine as a dependable urban runabout, dealing with traffic, uneven roads, and frequent stop-and-go driving without much drama.

How the Tata Punch EV Fits into Daily Life?

It also feels relatively well sorted for city use as well. It’s small enough to be a convenience in tight spaces — it’s perfect for crowding cars in traffic — but the view of the road is clear from its more upright driving position. 

There are no aggressive or jerky moments either, the silent drivetrain and smooth power delivery means daily office commutes are relaxed affairs — especially on those days when you find yourself in a long traffic jam. 

Grocery trips and small family outings are manageable, with the boot space (which is about 366 litres) sufficient for shopping on a weekly basis. While most of my usage has been within the city, I’ve also done a couple of short highway runs (150–200 km), which required some planning but were manageable.

Overall, it feels like a practical option for urban households where city driving dominates.

City Driving Experience: Suspension, Steering & Comfort

The suspension setup handles broken city roads confidently. The bumps, speed breakers, potholes and uneven surface aren’t that harshly felt, thanks to the 190 mm of ground clearance.

That extra battery weight makes the car feel planted, especially at moderate clip. The steering is light at low speeds, which makes U-turns and finding parking in tight spots stress-free. On busier roads, the Tata Punch EV is an easy car to handle.

Seat comfort is good for daily commutes and short highway stints. The cabin remains quiet, which significantly reduces fatigue in traffic. Urban driving becomes easier thanks to features such as the 360-degree camera (on higher variants) and parking sensors. 

Real-World Battery Range: Early Observations 

The figures are, as with other EVs, lower than you’d expect given the claimed range. 

From my experience so far: 

• City drive (AC on, Eco/City mode): 250–270 km 
• Mixed drive: 230–250 km 
• The highway runs at 80–100 km/h: closer to 210–220 km 

Range depends on driving style, traffic conditions and climate. During cooler days, efficiency improves slightly, while peak summer heat impacts range due to heavier AC usage. So far, the range delivery has been predictable, which builds confidence.

Charging Habits & Day-to-Day Practicality

Charging is mostly done at home using an AC wall charger, topping up every 3–4 days based on daily usage. For city driving, this routine has been convenient and largely stress-free.

I’ve also tried public DC fast-charging once, where the car charged up from about 20% to 80% in less than an hour – nothing faster than that. City charging is getting better, but highway charging requires foresight.

When you’re first introduced to a car, range anxiety definitely exists, but as you become familiar with the vehicle’s practical limits this becomes more manageable.

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV On Road Price in India 2025: Detailed Variant-Wise Breakdown

Everyday Comfort & Features That Matter

The dual digital screens feel modern and are easy to read. Wireless Android Auto works well most of the time, and features like ventilated front seats are genuinely useful in hot Indian conditions.

The cabin design is practical rather than premium. Front seat comfort is good, while rear seat cooling takes longer due to the absence of dedicated AC vents. Boot space is usable, and the small frunk helps keep charging cables organised.

For a daily that’s retaining its straightforward appeal—not in a good-place, bad-place kind of way, but rather as just a simple fact of life for the folks shopping it. 

Modes, Performance and Regeneration Levels

The Punch EV offers Eco, City, and Sport modes:

• Eco: prioritises efficiency, ideal for traffic
• City: balanced performance for daily use
• Sport: noticeably quicker throttle response, useful for overtakes

Instant electric torque makes city driving effortless, especially during quick gaps in traffic.

Regenerative braking can be adjusted across multiple levels. Level 2 feels well-judged for daily driving, offering smoother deceleration while improving efficiency. In traffic, regen noticeably helps extend usable range.

Early Niggles & Observations

As expected with early ownership, a few minor issues have surfaced:

• Occasional infotainment lag or camera feed delay
• Some interior plastics feel average for the price
• White seating upholstery (with lighter interiors) will require occasional cleaning 
• Spare wheel missing – only a puncture repair kit None of these are deal breakers so far, but it’s good to know. 

Will only know about long term reliability with continued use. 

Cost Mindset: Does It Even Matter?

 The Tata Punch EV Long Range is now placed at ₹14-15 lakh on-road, depending upon the city and variant.

 The upfront cost is high given its size, but operating costs are much cheaper than the petrol equivalents. Charging at home costs next to nothing, with hardly any regular maintenance to be conducted. 

And with an 8-year battery warranty, your confidence in ownership increases — especially so for those of you buying for long-term use. 

This EV will pay off if daily usage is high and home charging exists. 

Quick Opinion: Who is the Tata Punch EV Meant for? 

According to early usage, the Tata Punch EV is good for:

• Urban commuters with predictable daily driving
• Families looking for a second city car
• Buyers transitioning to EVs without moving to a larger vehicle

It may not be ideal for:

• Frequent long highway trips without charging access
• Buyers expecting premium interior quality

The Punch EV feels quick and comfortable, easy to live with and suited for city life all in one sweep. As we continue to own the car, its long-term strengths and weaknesses will become more apparent, but initial impressions are good.