Ever wondered what it’s like to own an electric car but not own the most important part—the battery? Well, buckle up! The new MG Windsor EV not only lets you drive electric without owning the battery but also offers a whole new way to think about car ownership. Intrigued? Let’s take a deep dive into why this car is more than just your typical EV.
Meet the MG Windsor: The Star of the Show
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of this Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model (yes, you heard that right!), let’s talk about the star vehicle. The MG Windsor EV is a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) designed to offer space, tech, and a slice of luxury without breaking the bank. Imagine sipping your coffee in the morning, looking at a car that screams sophistication, but doesn’t shout out in price.
Here’s a quick lowdown on its specs:
- Battery: 38 kWh. Not a clue what that means? Think of it like your phone battery but on steroids.
- Power: 136 PS with 200 Nm of torque. Translation: it can zoom, but it’s not exactly going to be in the next Fast & Furious movie.
- Range: A comfortable 331 km on a full charge. That’s like driving from Delhi to Jaipur and still having enough charge to scroll Instagram.
And now, for the fun part. What sets the Windsor apart is its 15.6-inch touchscreen (yes, bigger than most people’s laptops!), an 8.8-inch driver’s display, and a super comfy interior with reclining seats that let you chill out like you’re in a business class seat—at least for the backseat drivers among us.
Why Buy a Battery When You Can Rent It?
Here’s where the Windsor pulls out its ace card. It introduces the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. Think of it like renting Wi-Fi. You get the speed, the bandwidth, but you don’t own the router (in this case, the battery). Still confused? Let’s break it down:
- You pay ₹3.5 per kilometer to rent the battery. So, if you drive 1,500 km in a month, that’s ₹5,250 for battery rental.
- It’s prepaid, just like recharging your phone. You can buy a battery pack that covers a specific distance, say 1,500 km, and use it as you go.
- Best part? No expiry date on that battery pack. It’s like buying cookies and realizing they don’t go stale—take your time munching!
Here’s a funny thought: ever imagined you’d be able to rent a battery like it’s some sort of Netflix subscription? Welcome to 2024.
What About Charging?
“Okay, so I don’t own the battery, but what happens when it runs out?” I hear you ask. Don’t worry; MG’s got you covered with a range of charging options:
- Slow and steady: Plug it into a 3.3 kW AC charger, and it’ll be ready in 13.8 hours. So, perfect for an overnight charge (and maybe a lazy Sunday).
- Need a faster fix? The 7.4 kW fast charger takes only 6.5 hours.
- In a real hurry? You can get an 80% charge in 55 minutes with a 50 kW DC fast charger. Enough time for a quick coffee break.
BaaS vs Traditional Ownership: Show Me the Money
Now, the important question—how much is all this going to cost you? Let’s do a comparison because numbers don’t lie, but sometimes they hurt a little less when they make sense:
| Expense | MG Windsor EV (BaaS) | Maruti Suzuki Fronx |
| On-Road Price | ₹11 Lakh | ₹11.02 Lakh |
| Monthly Loan EMI | ₹22,244 (for 5 years) | ₹22,244 (for 5 years) |
| Battery Rental (for 1,500 km) | ₹5,250 | N/A |
| Electricity Cost (for 1,500 km) | ₹1,500 | N/A |
| Fuel (for 1,500 km) | N/A | ₹10,344 |
| Total Monthly Expense | ₹29,000 | ₹32,500 |
See what just happened there? By choosing the Windsor with its BaaS model, you save a cool ₹3,500 a month compared to a petrol-powered vehicle like the Fronx. And that’s before you even factor in the long-term savings on maintenance, since electric cars have fewer moving parts. (Yes, less moving parts mean fewer things that can break!
Charging Freedom—But at a Price
Let’s not forget, for the first year, you can enjoy free charging at MG’s public stations. After that, the fun’s over, and you’ll have to pay per unit of electricity. Charge it at home and watch your electricity bill tick up like it’s Christmas lights season. But hey, it still beats shelling out ₹100+ per liter of petrol.
Safety First (Because We’re Responsible Like That)
MG didn’t skimp on safety either. The Windsor packs six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and even a 360-degree camera—so no excuses for bad parking anymore. Add to that a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and you’ve got a car that’s looking out for you better than most people.
The Final Word: Should You Get the MG Windsor?
In short, if you’re looking for an electric vehicle that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket and comes with a revolutionary twist on battery ownership, the MG Windsor EV might just be what you need. The BaaS model is a game-changer, especially if you want to dip your toes into the world of EVs without the heavy upfront costs associated with buying a battery.
So, next time someone asks, “Hey, do you rent your car’s battery?” you can casually sip your coffee and say, “Yeah, I do. And it’s working out great.”
Renting a battery might sound odd at first, but with all the benefits in savings and flexibility, it’s clear the future of EVs isn’t just about electric power—it’s about reinventing ownership itself.