With prices starting from Rs 9.99 lakh for an electric SUV, the MG Windsor EV has been trending since its launch. However, there’s a catch to this attractive price tag, which needs some explaining. In this blog, EVJoints brings all that you need to know about the Windsor EV and its pricing before taking the leap of faith.
Battery, Charging & More:
The MG Windsor EV is an electric SUV which comes with a 38 kWh battery pack which gives a range of 331 km. At a 50kW CCS2 DC fast charging station, the Windsor EV can charge from 0-80% in 55 minutes. With a 7.4kW Type 2 charger, it takes 6.5 hours to fully charge the battery. Maximum charging capacity is 45 kWh.
The car is offered with MG’s BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) program (battery rental program), under which the owner has to pay an amount every month.
What is Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS)?
BaaS is an ownership model which lets customers subscribe to a battery instead of buying it with the vehicle. MG’s BaaS model does not involve battery swapping. In case of the Windsor EV, its battery is included with the car. But you have to pay separately to use it.
The BaaS scheme allows customers to rent the battery at a cost of Rs 3.5 per km. This approach allows owners to pay only for the distance they travel.
If your usage is 1500 km (or less) per month, you will be paying Rs 5,250 per month for the battery. It is important to note that if your usage is less than 1500 km, you will still have to pay Rs 5,250 per month. If your usage is more than 1500 km per month, you’ll pay more, with charges starting from Rs 3.5 for every kilometre extra. So, if you drive 1000 km over the base 1500 km, you pay Rs 3500 (1000 x 3.5) extra.
MG’s BaaS scheme is currently backed by 4 third-party finance companies: Bajaj Finance, Hero FinCorp, VidyutTech & Ecofy. Customers will pay the cost of the vehicle upfront, or through a loan, and the battery is paid for separately on a rental basis. Each of these finance companies offer their own rental plans. There are 3 year plans and 5 year plans. Initially, customers won’t be able to opt for financiers other than the above four.
How will MG keep track of usage & kilometres driven?
The answer is ‘telemetry’. MG has telematics devices fitted into the car which will calculate the exact distance a customer is driving each month.
Free EV Charging:
Customers who book the Windsor EV before 31st December will get one year of free EV charging with MG’s eHub. Customers simply need to download the MG eHUB app which features multiple EV charging stations. After using any of these chargers, the amount will be directly billed to MG.
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Buyback Scheme:
MG is also offering a buyback plan with the Windsor EV. The company is assuring 60% of the car’s cost after 3 years.
Not Interested in Baas?
Apart from the battery rental program, the Windsor EV is also available for full purchase. This means customers can buy the electric car by paying in full or financing it as a single unit (vehicle+battery) without having to opt for the BaaS scheme.
Prices for the Windsor EV (with battery) start from Rs 13.50 lakh, and go up to Rs 15.50 lakh.
MG Windsor EV & Electric Cab Companies: A Match Made In Heaven?
The battery rental scheme is something that will suit EV fleet owners as well. The Windsor’s battery rental cost of Rs 3.5 per km is cheaper than a CNG cab’s running cost. The car’s luxurious interiors, comfortable seating and ample boot space are features that will prove to be a great proposition for cab operators. Also, with cab operators looking for cars with less acquisition & running cost, the Windsor EV’s pricing & pay-as-you-go model fits the bill perfectly. Moreover, with the company’s buyback policy, the car can be replaced once in every 3 years, which is another attractive proposition for cab operators.
Conclusion:
MG’s new electric car and the battery rental model it comes with, can prove to be a game-changer for India’s fledgling EV market. The company is also offering its other two EVs, the ZS EV & the Comet EV, with its BaaS program, and this shows that MG-JSW are serious with this scheme. It will be interesting to see how MG’s competitors, especially Tata Motors react. More importantly, it will be interesting to see how the customers react. You may want to explore the recently launched TATA Curvv EV’s battery capacity, range, charging capacity, and charging options before deciding to buy the MG Windsor EV.
