Maruti Suzuki eVitara vs MG Windsor, Which EV Should I Subscribe To For Under Rs 12 Lakh?

Maruti Suzuki eVitara, MG Windsor EV Subscription Benefits Compared

For months, enthusiasts and first-time EV buyers had been waiting for the country’s largest carmaker to announce the price for its first-ever battery electric vehicle (BEV). While the complete price list is still under wraps, we now know that Maruti Suzuki has opened an introductory offer for its eVitara electric SUV, which lets early adopters get their foot in the door via a battery subscription model at an attractive price tag of Rs 10.99 lakh ex-showroom.

Subscription or Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) models are not new to the Indian EV space, as MG Motor India introduced them with its Windsor EV in 2024, starting from an upfront cost of Rs 9.99 lakh and a per-kilometre rate of Rs 3.90/km for the battery rental. Here is a quick explainer that compares both EVs and their ownership benefits to help prospective buyers make an informed decision.

What is BaaS?

The Battery-as-a-Service program enables customers to purchase an EV without paying the cost of the battery pack. This brings the up-front purchasing cost of an EV drastically down, which in the case of the eVitara and Windsor is under Rs 12 lakh for the entry-level variants.

eVitara Gets Up To 543 Km Range

Subscription Model Benefits Comparison –

Between the eVitara and the Windsor, the eVitara’s Rs 10.99 lakh upfront cost makes it Rs 1 lakh costlier than the Windsor’s Rs 9.99 lakh price for the Excite variant under BaaS. Both have identical per-kilometre battery rental charges at Rs 3.90/km for the Windsor and Rs 3.99/km for the new eVitara. Both electric cars offer an assured buyback scheme of returning 60 percent of the EV’s value after 3 years of ownership. They are also offering complimentary 7.4 kWh home chargers. The eVitara gets a warranty of 8 years or 1,60,000 km on the battery pack, whereas MG Motor offers a lifetime warranty.

In terms of variants available under the subscription model, the MG Windsor EV offers all five variants, including the two battery pack options under the BaaS service. Prices start from Rs 9.99 lakh and go up to Rs 13.39 lakh ex-showroom. For the eVitara, Maruti Suzuki has confirmed that both the 49 kWh and 61 kWh battery options will be offered under BaaS, however, details on the variants and their names are still to be disclosed.

Average running cost projection under the battery rental scheme –

Considering that both the eVitara and Windsor EV indicate a monthly rental cost of Rs 3.90 to Rs 3.99 per kilometre, driving either of the electric cars 1,000 km in a month would cost approximately Rs 4,000 in rental charges. These rental estimates can go higher based on the final terms that are put forward by your financer.

MG Windsor EV With Lifetime Battery Warranty

Another important detail to note here is that the battery rental charge is over and above what you pay to recharge your electric vehicle. While home charging is cost-effective and costs under Rs 500 on average. Using a public charger can cost 2-3X more and add up to your monthly running costs.

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Which One Should I Buy?

If you believe in proven experience and want to pay as little as possible up front, then the MG Windsor EV can be on your shortlist for its ample cabin space and favourable subscription terms. On the other hand, the eVitara’s biggest strength is that it is a Maruti Suzuki and that brings a different set of benefits along with it. Maruti Suzuki has already established a wide net of fast-chargers by leveraging its extensive dealer network and customers who book before March 31 are also getting one-year complimentary charging at dealership locations. This also highlights the other benefit of going for the Maruti Suzuki, which is its wide network of customer touchpoints across the country that will make the eVitara suitable for EV buyers in metro cities and tier 1 and 2 towns as well.

Amber Banerjee is a seasoned automotive journalist with over a decade of experience covering the Indian mobility landscape. Skilled in writing, video …

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