Four Tata and MG electric cars on offer under battery-as-a-service model, Tiago EV from Rs 4.69 lakh

For buyers set on a new car on Diwali and Dhanteras, an electric car could be a good deal. Four electric cars from Tata Motors and JSW MG Motor are available at a lower starting price under the Battery as a Service (BaaS) model.

Under this arrangement, the price of the car and the battery are paid for separately, which lowers the initial purchase cost. The list includes the Tata Tiago EV, MG Comet EV, Tata Punch EV and MG Windsor EV. The Tiago EV starts at Rs 4.69 lakh.

Under the BaaS model, the buyer does not pay the full price of the battery at the time of purchase. Instead, a per-kilometre battery rental is charged according to the distance the car is driven. According to the document, the rental ranges between Rs 2.50 and Rs 3.99 per km. An electric car can thus be bought without a large upfront outlay. Those who travel little in a month should check the rental calculation.

The Tata Tiago EV starts at Rs 4.69 lakh under the BaaS model. It comes with 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh battery pack options. The certified range is 250 to 315 km, according to the company's figures, and the battery rental is Rs 2.60 per km. Features include a 7-inch touchscreen, automatic climate control and cruise control.

The MG Comet EV starts at Rs 4.99 lakh. It has a 17.3 kWh battery and a claimed range of 230 km. Its compact two-door design can be useful in city traffic and parking.

The Tata Punch EV starts at Rs 6.59 lakh. It has 25 kWh and 35 kWh battery options, a range of 315 to 421 km, and a 5-star safety rating from Bharat NCAP.

The MG Windsor EV starts at Rs 9.99 lakh. It has a 38 kWh battery, an ARAI range of 331 km and a 15.6-inch touchscreen. The rear seats recline up to 135 degrees, and a glass sky roof is another attraction.

Buyers should work out the costs before purchase. Under the BaaS model, the cost of electricity for charging must be considered along with the battery rental. In the example given in the document, the Tiago EV's total running cost works out to about Rs 3.45 per km for 1,500 km of travel a month. Those who drive less should check the minimum-kilometre condition and the battery agreement. It is advisable to decide on a purchase only after checking charging arrangements at home.

According to the document, the Tata Tiago EV is the cheapest electric car under the BaaS model, at a starting BaaS price of Rs 4.69 lakh. Depending on the car, the battery rental is Rs 2.50 to Rs 3.99 per km, and the minimum-kilometre condition in the relevant company's agreement should be checked.