Buying an electric SUV can be expensive because the battery accounts for a significant portion of the vehicle's overall cost. Mahindra & Mahindra is now trying to make its electric SUVs more accessible by expanding its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) program.
The company has extended the BaaS option across its entire Origin Series electric SUV lineup. Under the new arrangement, customers don't have to pay the full battery cost upfront. Instead, the battery is financed separately and customers pay a usage-based charge according to the number of kilometres they drive.
As a result, the initial purchase price of Mahindra's electric SUVs can come down by around ₹7 lakh to ₹8 lakh, depending on the model and variant.
BaaS Now Available Across Three Mahindra EVs
Mahindra has expanded the program to all variants of the BE 6 Sporteq, XEV 9S and XEV 9e.
Previously, the BaaS model was available on selected offerings, but the company has now made it available across the entire Origin Series range.
The concept is fairly straightforward. The cost of the vehicle and battery are separated instead of being bundled into one upfront price. The customer finances the vehicle separately, while the battery cost is handled through a separate arrangement.
Customers then pay a predetermined amount for every kilometre they drive.
What Are the Starting Prices Under BaaS?
The new pricing makes these electric SUVs look considerably more affordable at the time of purchase.
Here are the starting prices under the BaaS model:
| Model | Starting Price | Battery Usage Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Mahindra BE 6 Sporteq | ₹11.45 lakh | ₹3.75/km |
| Mahindra XEV 9S | ₹12.65 lakh | ₹3.75/km |
| Mahindra XEV 9e | ₹13.90 lakh | ₹3.75/km |
The BaaS financing option is available across all variants of these three electric SUVs.
Why Is Mahindra Offering BaaS?
The biggest advantage of the arrangement is the lower upfront purchase price.
Since customers don't have to finance the entire battery cost as part of the vehicle purchase, the initial amount required to buy the EV is significantly reduced. Instead, part of the cost is converted into a usage-linked expense.
This could make electric SUVs more attractive to buyers who are comfortable paying according to how much they drive.
Mahindra Says Customers Have Responded Positively
According to Mahindra, the BaaS model received a positive response after its introduction. The company has therefore decided to expand the program to the complete Origin Series lineup.
The approach is aimed primarily at addressing one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption—the relatively high upfront purchase price.
However, buyers should look beyond the headline starting price before making a decision. The overall cost will depend on factors such as how many kilometres the vehicle is driven and the terms of the separate battery financing arrangement.
Mahindra has not disclosed all details regarding the battery financing tenure and other associated terms in the information currently available.
Lower Upfront Cost, But Check the Total Expense
Mahindra's expanded BaaS program gives customers another way to purchase an electric SUV without paying the complete battery cost upfront. With starting prices as low as ₹11.45 lakh, the scheme could make the company's EV lineup considerably more accessible.
However, because customers pay ₹3.75 per kilometre for the battery, buyers should calculate their expected annual driving distance and compare the long-term cost before choosing between the BaaS model and a conventional outright purchase.
