New Skoda Epiq Electric SUV Debuts with 440km Range

The flagship Skoda Epiq 55 trim is the top model in the Epiq lineup. It has a claimed WLTP range of 440 kilometres. WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, which is a standard test for measuring range. This range comes from a premium 55 kWh NMC battery pack. NMC stands for nickel-manganese-cobalt, which is a battery chemistry that stores a lot of energy in a small space. This specific variant is engineered to directly solve highway range anxiety for compact SUV buyers. Range anxiety is the fear that your electric car will run out of charge before you reach your destination.

In real-world highway driving, the Epiq 55 is expected to consistently deliver a practical driving range of 340 to 360 kilometres on a full charge under mixed conditions. That means if you mix city driving with highway driving, you will get between 340 and 360 kilometres. The car supports up to 125 kW DC fast charging. It can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in exactly 24 minutes. If you charge at home using an 11 kW AC home wall-box charger, it will take 5 hours and 45 minutes to fully charge.

The Epiq 55 has a single permanent magnet synchronous motor. This motor drives the front wheels. It generates 211 horsepower and 290 Nm of instant peak torque. Instant torque means the power is available immediately as soon as you press the accelerator. There is no waiting for the engine to rev up. The car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. That is very quick for a compact SUV. The top speed is electronically governed at 160 km/h to preserve high-speed battery health.

The battery housing is liquid-cooled. This means a liquid circulates around the battery to keep it at the right temperature. It is also equipped with a standard energy-saving heat pump. A heat pump helps preserve range in cold weather by using less energy to heat the cabin. The car has multi-level regenerative braking. Regenerative braking captures energy when you slow down and puts it back into the battery. It also has an active one-pedal driving mode. In one-pedal mode, you can accelerate and brake using only the accelerator pedal. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the car slows down strongly and captures energy. The car is also equipped with bidirectional charging. This is also called Vehicle-to-Load or V2L. This allows the car to power heavy appliances or camping gear. You can plug a kettle, a laptop, or even a small fridge into the car.

If you are thinking of buying the Skoda Epiq 55, you should do so if you want a compact electric SUV with a long real-world range of over 340 kilometres. You want the performance of 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. You want the convenience of one-pedal driving. You want the utility of V2L to power your devices while camping or during a power outage. You have a budget of about ₹21 to ₹26 lakh. You can wait until mid-2027 for the India launch.

If you need an electric SUV right now, you should consider the Tata Nexon EV or the MG ZS EV. But if you can wait, the Skoda Epiq 55 offers European build quality, long range, and advanced features at a competitive price.

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