MG electric car with battery rental model hits record orders

MG began accepting deposits for the Windsor EV on October 3 and immediately set a record. Customers can now visit any MG dealership or visit the company’s official website to order the Windsor EV with a deposit of $130.

In India, there are two ways to own a Windsor EV. The first is battery leasing: customers can pay $11,800 for the car, plus $0.40 per 10 km.

MG's program is called BaaS, or Battery as a Service. This means customers don't have to pay the full cost of ownership up front. The company also offers a free lifetime warranty on the battery (for first owners only).

Customers also get a year of free charging at public charging stations. In addition, MG promises a 60% buyback after three years or 45,000 km.

If you don’t want to pay separately for the car and the battery, you can buy the car with the battery, starting at $16,000 for the entry-level Excite. The two higher trims are the Exclusive at $17,300 and the Essence at $18,500.

With a record 15,176 bookings in the first 24 hours, many believe the MG Windsor EV could become the best-selling electric vehicle in India, overtaking the long-standing leader, the Tata Nexon EV. Whether or not this will materialize will have to wait until deliveries begin.

While the Windsor EV has been a positive surprise for the EV segment with record bookings, EV sales in India have continued to decline. In September, total EV sales were just 5,733, down 9% from the same month in 2023. Sales are likely to decline further as the Indian government has scrapped its EV subsidy program.

Other reasons for the decline in EV sales include high initial costs and range concerns, especially for owners of EVs with smaller battery capacities. Another big reason for the sales slowdown is the lack of nationwide charging infrastructure.