Tata Ace EV

The headline number here is the 1,000 kg payload — Tata pitched this as India's first electric mini truck rated for a full tonne, and it shows in how it's positioned against the diesel Ace Gold for FMCG, dairy, and beverage distribution runs. 161 km of ARAI-certified range and a 60 km/h top speed keep it firmly in last-mile territory rather than highway hauling, which is exactly the job it's built for. The 27 kW motor and 130 Nm torque are modest on paper but match the low-speed, stop-start delivery cycle this truck is designed around.

Running cost is the real pitch: Tata quotes roughly Rs 1/km against a multiple of that for a diesel equivalent, and the 7-year/175,000 km battery warranty plus a 5-year comprehensive maintenance package take a lot of the ownership risk off the table for fleet buyers. A 7-hour AC top-up suits overnight depot charging, and the 105-minute DC fast-charge option is a genuine plus for operators running two shifts a day. Backed by Fleet Edge telematics and 150+ EV support centres, it reads as a fleet-manager's vehicle first.

Two body configurations are on offer — Flatbed at Rs 11.30 lakh and a closed CLB body at Rs 11.50 lakh, both ex-showroom — so buyers can pick based on the cargo they're hauling rather than being locked into one layout. It's a straightforward, no-frills work truck: leaf-spring suspension, drum rear brakes, and a mechanical steering setup keep costs down, which is the right trade-off for a vehicle bought on total cost of ownership rather than driving feel.