MG Windsor's Battery As A Service Explained: Will It Power The Future Of EVs Or Stall Progress?

The Windsor then is available with a battery rental plan of 3.5 Rs per km but the caveat is that it is for a minimum running of 1500 km per month

MG is also giving free public charging for a year and lifetime warranty. However, the battery rental of Rs 3.5 per km will mean also that the vehicle will be under the hypothecation of the financier.

Source : Somnath Chatterjee

MG Motor launched the new Windsor on Wednesday but more than the car the price was the talking point because MG is asking Rs 9.99 lakh as a starting price for the Windsor, but without the battery. Yes, there would be two EMIs while for the customer it could be bundled up into one but the battery has a separate rental plan.

The Windsor then is available with a battery rental plan of 3.5 Rs per km but the caveat is that it is for a minimum running of 1500 km per month. Which means it equates to Rs 5,250 per month and that means there is a minimum cost of Rs 63,000 per year for the Windsor buyer. For three years it means roughly, the cost is near Rs 12 lakh.

MG is also giving free public charging for a year and lifetime warranty. However, the battery rental of Rs 3.5 per km will mean also that the vehicle will be under the hypothecation of the financier. Also the battery rental plan is not limited to a specific no of km or years. Instead it is a monthly subscription based on a minimum 1500 km usage.

This is one plan and there could be others tailored to a lower usage. Compared to running an ICE car, the Windsor is cheaper and this way the outright cost is less. However many buyers might want to buy the car outright and MG should also give this option. We will get more clarity reg the various plans but for EV, this is a first time where there is a battery rental and it remains to be seen if others will follow suit or not.