Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) is emerging as an alternative ownership model in India’s electric vehicle market, aimed at reducing the upfront cost of EVs. Under this system, the battery cost is separated from the vehicle price, allowing buyers to purchase the car at a lower initial price while paying a subscription or usage-based fee for the battery. The model is intended to make electric vehicles more accessible. Some manufacturers in India have begun offering BaaS programmes for select electric cars as part of efforts to expand EV adoption. These schemes allow customers to pay for the battery through options such as monthly subscriptions or pay-per-kilometre plans. The structure lowers the purchase price of the vehicle and may also include services related to battery support and upgrades.
The BaaS model remains relatively new in the Indian passenger vehicle market but is drawing interest from buyers seeking lower entry costs for electric mobility. Currently, only a limited number of electric cars in India offer this option, depending on the manufacturer. In this article, let’s take a look at all EVs that are available with BaaS schemes.
The first car on the list is the MG Comet EV, priced from Rs 4.92 lakh under the BaaS scheme.
The BaaS scheme reduces the vehicle’s starting price by Rs 2. 71 lakh to Rs 4. 92 lakh. Buyers choosing this option, however, must pay a battery subscription fee of Rs 3. 2 per km. The MG Comet EV is offered in five variants – Executive, Excite, Excite Fast Charge, Exclusive, and Exclusive Fast Charge. The Comet EV is powered by a 17. 3kWh battery pack paired to a single electric motor, which puts out 42hp of power and 110Nm of torque, which sends power to the rear wheels. The battery is IP67-rated for water and dust resistance and gets an ARAI-certified range of 230km.
Feature highlights include dual 10.25-inch screens – one for infotainment and another for instrumentation, wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay connectivity, connected car tech, manual AC, rotary drive selector, keyless entry, steering-mounted controls, over 55 connected car features and more. Safety-wise, it gets ABS, EBD, tyre pressure monitoring system, reverse camera and sensors, dual front airbags, electronic parking brake, electronic stability control (ESC), ISOFIX child seat mounts, all four disc brakes, and hill-hold assist.
Next is the newly launched Tata Punch EV with prices starting from Rs 6.49 lakh under the BaaS scheme. Customers opting for the battery subscription plan reduce the upfront cost by Rs 3.20 lakh but are required to pay a battery rental fee of Rs 2.6 per km. The EV is offered in five variants – Smart, Smart Plus, Adventure, Empowered, and Empowered Plus S. Prices for non-BAAS variants start from Rs 9.69 lakh and goes upto Rs 12.59 lakh (both prices ex-showroom).
The Punch EV gets two options: 30 kWh and 40 kWh. The larger battery pack has an ARAI-certified range of 468km on a single charge and a C75 real-world range of 355km. It also supports 65kW DC fast charging, enabling a 20 to 80 per cent charge in 26 minutes and adding up to 135km of range in 15 minutes.
Next on the list is the much popular MG Windsor EV priced from Rs 9.99 lakh under the BaaS scheme. It’s offered in two battery pack options – 38 kWh and 52.9 kWh, with 3.9 Rs/km for the smaller battery pack and Rs 4.5 Rs/km for the bigger battery pack. Both battery packs are paired with a single e-motor, which puts out 136 hp and 200 nm torque. Charging options range from a 7.4kW AC home charger, which takes about 9.5 hours for a full recharge, to a 60kW DC fast charger that can boost the battery from 20% to 80% in approximately 50 minutes.
Features wise, it gets a large 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless connectivity Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, rear AC vents, ventilated front seats, powered driver’s seat, 9-speaker Infinity sound system, wireless phone charging, panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, powered tailgate, and advanced charging tech like vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) functionality. Safety-wise, it gets six airbags, ABS with EBD, all four disc brakes, front and rear parking sensors, ESC, and a 360-degree camera.
Next is the newly launched Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara, priced from Rs 10.99 lakh with the BaaS scheme. It’s offered in two battery pack options – 49 kWh and 61 kWh, and the company charges Rs 3.99 Rs/km for the smaller battery and Rs 4.39 Rs/km for the bigger battery pack. The batteries use LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) ‘blade’ cells sourced by BYD. The 49kWh battery will come paired with a single motor placed on the front axle, which puts out 144hp. The bigger 61kWh battery also gets single-motor, but here it puts out 174hp. Both motors produce identical 189Nm of torque. Talking about range, the EV has a claimed range of 440 km with the 49 kWh battery pack, while the larger 61 kWh version is rated at 543 km on a single charge.
The fifth and final model on the list is MG ZS EV priced from Rs 13 lakh and Rs 4.5 Rs/km with BaaS. The MG ZS EV gets a 50.3kWh battery pack paired to a front-axle-mounted electric motor that produces 176hp and 280Nm. It has a claimed range of 461 km on one full charge. With the 7.4kW AC wall box charger, the ZS can charge from 0-100 per cent in 8.5 to 9 hours. And 0-80 per cent on a 50kW DC charger takes just 60 mins.
