With usage that high, especially highway usage, we do not recommend getting an electric car, at least not at present. While the need for cost savings is understandable, such high daily usage will require daily charging, which will quickly shorten the battery’s life. Moreover, a 350km one-way trip will require an EV with a very long range, and most in this price bracket will not do it comfortably, so at least one charging stop is imperative.
Instead, we recommend a strong hybrid SUV like the Maruti Suzuki Victoris, or if you can wait until Diwali, the new Renault Duster hybrid, as it offers the best of both worlds – low running costs as well as flexibility.
If you are still set on having an EV, you would need at least a mid-size EV, such as the Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra BE 6, Hyundai Creta Electric, or Kia Carens Clavis EV, in order to have enough comfortable range, but those would be outside your budget of Rs 18 lakh.