2026 Tata Punch EV Earns 5-Star Bharat NCAP Rating; Nepal Launch Soon
The facelifted 2026 Tata Punch EV, which is set to launch in Nepal soon, has secured a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP.
The updated electric SUV achieved high scores in both adult and child occupant protection, reinforcing its position as one of the safest electric vehicles in its segment ahead of its Nepal debut.
In Bharat NCAP's latest round of crash testing, the Punch EV scored 31.09 out of 32 for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and 45 out of 49 for Child Occupant Protection (COP).
While the adult protection score is marginally lower than the 31.46/32 recorded by the pre-facelift model tested in 2024, the vehicle continues to retain the highest possible five-star safety rating. The child occupant score remains unchanged.
According to the crash test report, the Punch EV offered good protection for the heads and necks of both front occupants. Protection for the driver's chest and knees, along with the front passenger's knees, was rated as adequate, while overall occupant protection remained strong.
During the frontal offset deformable barrier test, the electric SUV scored 15.28 out of 16, followed by 15.80 out of 16 in the side movable deformable barrier test.
It also successfully passed the side pole impact test with an "OK" rating and met the required Electronic Stability Control (ESC) performance standards.
The Punch EV also performed strongly in child occupant safety. It received the maximum 24 out of 24 points in the dynamic assessment and 12 out of 12 for Child Restraint System (CRS) installation, while scoring 9 out of 13 in the vehicle assessment category.
Bharat NCAP evaluated the vehicle using 18-month-old and 3-year-old child dummies placed in rearward-facing child seats secured via ISOFIX anchorages and support legs. Both child occupants received full marks in the frontal and side impact assessments.
The five-star rating applies across multiple variants of the Punch EV, including both 30 kWh and 40 kWh versions. Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat mounts, three-point seatbelts with reminders for all occupants, and compliance with pedestrian protection regulations.
The Nepal-bound facelifted Tata Punch EV will be offered with the 40 kWh battery pack, paired with a front-mounted electric motor driving the front wheels.
The electric motor produces 129 hp and 154 Nm of torque, delivering an ARAI-certified driving range of 468 km. Tata also claims a more realistic C75 range of around 355 km, representing typical mixed driving conditions.
The facelifted Punch EV is expected to make its official Nepal debut at the NAIMA Nepal Mobility Expo 2026, where it will enter the market with updated styling, improved technology and now, a proven five-star crash safety rating.
