Tata Safari EV Coming Diwali 2026: 600 km Range, AWD

Tata Motors is on the verge of completing its most ambitious EV lineup expansion yet. After the successful launch of the Tata Harrier EV earlier this year, the company is now setting its sights on Diwali 2026 for the Safari EV — a longer, heavier, and more capable version of the Harrier EV that adds a critical third row of seating. This will make it India's first-ever 7-seater electric SUV, a segment that no manufacturer has dared to enter until now. Here is everything confirmed and credibly reported about the Safari EV ahead of its launch.

What We Know: Launch Timeline and Production Plans

Tata Motors has been signalling the Safari EV's arrival through multiple industry forums and supplier briefings over the past several months. Based on consistent reporting from the Indian auto industry, the Safari EV is expected to be officially revealed sometime in mid-to-late 2026, with deliveries commencing before Diwali — which falls in late October 2026.

Production is expected to begin at Tata's Pune manufacturing facility by August 2026. This timeline allows for a Diwali launch and a festive-season sales window, which is historically the most important period for large-ticket vehicle purchases in India. Tata is well aware that families making the EV switch during the festive season want the full 7-seater package — and the Safari EV is designed specifically for that buyer.

Tata has not officially confirmed a specific launch date as of April 2026, but the company's product cadence and the fact that the Safari EV shares its platform with the already-launched Harrier EV make a Diwali 2026 timeline fully credible. The Acti.ev platform was designed from the outset to accommodate multiple body styles and wheelbase lengths, and the Safari's 3-row layout was always part of Tata's EV roadmap.

Battery and Range: 65 kWh vs 75 kWh

The Safari EV is expected to launch with two LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery options — mirroring the approach taken on the Harrier EV and consistent with Tata's preference for LFP chemistry across its premium EV lineup. LFP batteries offer superior thermal stability, a longer cycle life (typically 2,000-plus charge cycles before significant degradation), and are safer under high-temperature Indian conditions compared to NMC chemistry.

The 65 kWh RWD configuration is expected to serve as the accessible entry point, likely priced to start around Rs 25 Lakh. The 75 kWh variants will be the volume sellers — the RWD version for pure range maximisers, and the AWD for those who want all-terrain capability without compromising on range significantly. In real-world conditions factoring in AC usage, highway speeds, and a full load of 7 passengers, expect 15-20 percent below MIDC figures — so approximately 430-500 km real-world for the 75 kWh variants.

Performance: Motor Output, Torque, and 0-100

The Safari EV's powertrain specifications follow directly from the Acti.ev platform's capabilities, adapted for a heavier 3-row body. The RWD single-motor variant is expected to produce 175 kW, equivalent to 235 hp, with 304 Nm of peak torque. This is a substantial improvement over the petrol Safari's 170 hp output, and electric torque delivery — instant from zero rpm — will make the RWD Safari EV feel far more responsive in city traffic than its internal combustion sibling.

The AWD dual-motor variant is the headline-grabber. With an estimated combined output of 291 kW — roughly 390 hp — and 504 Nm of torque, it will be among the most powerful production SUVs available in India under Rs 35 Lakh. The 0-100 km/h target of under 7 seconds puts it squarely in sports car territory for a full-size, 7-seater family hauler. Tata's engineering team has confirmed that the AWD system offers real torque vectoring between the front and rear axles, which also improves handling dynamics on winding hill roads — a meaningful feature for families driving to hill stations in the Monsoon or winter.

Expected Features: ADAS, Connected Car, and Charging

As Tata's flagship 7-seater EV, the Safari EV is expected to arrive with a feature set that sets a new benchmark in its segment. The company has been progressively upgrading its ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) capabilities across the lineup, and the Safari EV is expected to debut the most comprehensive ADAS Level 2+ package Tata has offered to date.

On the charging front, the Safari EV's larger 75 kWh battery means longer AC charging times at home — expect approximately 11-12 hours on a standard 7.4 kW AC home charger for a full charge. Tata's growing partnership with charging networks — including the 21 mega charging hubs being developed with Shell — means public fast charging access is improving for Tata EV owners. For the full picture on India's charging network, see our state-wise EV charging station count as of March 2026.

How It Compares: Safari EV vs the Competition

The Safari EV enters a segment that barely exists today in electric form. Its most direct rival is the Mahindra XEV 9e, which also targets the premium electric SUV buyer. Below is a head-to-head comparison with the XEV 9e and broader context against the Hyundai Creta EV (smaller, 5-seater) and the already-launched Tata Harrier EV.

The Safari EV's key competitive advantage over the XEV 9e is pricing. At an expected starting price of Rs 25 Lakh versus the XEV 9e's Rs 30 Lakh, the Safari EV offers the 3-row electric format at a significantly lower cost of entry. Tata's established service network of over 1,500 authorised service centres across India — compared to Mahindra's currently smaller EV service footprint — is another practical advantage for buyers in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Against the Harrier EV, the Safari simply offers more — a third row for families who genuinely need the extra seating. The Harrier EV is the better choice for buyers who rarely need 7 seats and prefer a shorter, easier-to-park footprint. The Safari EV will be longer and slightly heavier, which will have a modest impact on range and handling feel compared to the Harrier EV.

Expected Pricing: Variant-Wise Estimates

Tata Motors has not officially announced pricing for the Safari EV. The figures below are based on the expected battery-drivetrain configurations, Tata's pricing strategy on the Harrier EV, and the competitive positioning required to challenge the XEV 9e.

All prices are estimated ex-showroom figures. On-road prices in major metros will be approximately 10-15 percent higher after registration, insurance, and accessories. Tata is also expected to offer introductory pricing for early bookings — a pattern established with the Nexon EV, Punch EV, and Harrier EV launches. Government FAME-III incentives, if announced before the launch, could further reduce the effective on-road price by Rs 1-2 Lakh for buyers in select states.

What This Means for Used Car Buyers and Sellers

The Safari EV's Diwali 2026 launch has concrete implications for the used car market — particularly for anyone currently owning or considering a petrol or diesel 7-seater SUV.

For petrol and diesel Safari owners: The EV's arrival will create a well-publicised new benchmark in the Safari's lineup, which typically accelerates used market price softening for older variants. Owners looking to upgrade to the EV would benefit from selling their petrol or diesel Safari in the months before the EV launch — when used demand is still strong — rather than waiting until after launch. Post-launch, used Safari supply typically spikes as upgraders simultaneously list their existing vehicles.

For buyers of used large SUVs: The Safari EV launch is good news if you are in the market for a used Mahindra XUV700, Toyota Fortuner, or petrol Safari. As EV alternatives emerge at competitive price points, the premium commanded by top-spec large petrol SUVs tends to moderate. If you are flexible on timing, waiting 2-3 months after the launch may yield better deals on used large SUV stock as upgrade sellers flood the market.

For the broader EV segment: India's EV market grew 84 percent in FY2026, as detailed in our FY2026 EV sales analysis. The Safari EV's arrival will add another high-profile data point that family-sized EVs are viable at Indian price points — accelerating the overall shift from petrol to electric for mid-to-premium buyers. Tata alone is expected to account for over 35 percent of India's passenger EV sales in FY2027, with the Safari EV playing a major role in that figure.