► A new electric MG microcar for £8k
► MG Motor Comet unveiled in India
► Small car, medium 140-mile range
The new MG Comet is a diminutive city car that’s aimed at electrifying urban transport in India, where it was unveiled this week. It’s further proof that MG Motor is becoming a significant player in the EV space.
Priced from 798,000 rupees (around £7800 at current exchange rates), it is claimed to be the cheapest electric car on sale in India – taking the fight to Tata Motors in one of the most price-sensitive markets on the planet. The car is not expected in the UK, owing to tougher European safety legislation.
MG Comet: the lowdown
The new 2023 MG Comet is a two-door compact that’s a whisker under three metres in length (2974mm). That’s a step up from the Citroen Ami, enabling two rows of four seats and what looks like a tiny boot compartment.
It’s very much aimed at Generation Z and MG Motor is pedalling a range of accessories, body wraps and cool stickers to let owners personalise their Comet.
The interior comes with a variety of tech to keep the young target market connected: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, there’s a 10-inch touchscreen and reversing cameras are offered.
Battery capacity and range
The MG Comet has a modestly sized 17.3kWh lithium ion battery; that’s tiny, but then the car is lightweight and simple, ensuring a claimed range of 143 miles on the Indian test cycle. Fast-charging is not available, topping up happening at a slovenly 3.3kW from a standard domestic plug for a slow overnight charge.
Crucially, the MG Comet will undercut Tata Motors’s rival Tiago EV, which starts at 849,000 rupees (£8300). The Indian car market is the world’s third biggest, counting for around four million sales a year. Today EV sales account for less than 2% of all new registrations and the government aims to increase this to 30% by the end of the decade.
MG Motors boss in India, Rajeev Chaba, said: ‘It is for those who are looking for a smart solution to combat today’s urban mobility issues.’