Tata has extended its Battery-as-a-Service offer beyond its smaller EVs to the Nexon EV, Curvv EV, Sierra EV and Harrier EV. The headline for the Harrier EV is an upfront vehicle-price reduction of up to Rs. 7.3 lakh. It is an effective way to make a large electric SUV look accessible at first glance, but the battery is financed separately.
The comparison has three parts: the price with the battery included, the upfront vehicle price under BaaS, and the separate battery-financing or usage payment for the distance you expect to drive. Tata’s example starting prices assume 60km a day for most models and 44km for the Tiago EV. Multiply the applicable contracted payment by your monthly kilometres, then extend it across the ownership period you actually expect. Add any minimum usage charge, loan interest, taxes and contract fees. A household driving 800km a month and one driving 2,500km a month can reach different conclusions from the same advertised starting price.
The battery payment is also separate from charging electricity. A fair cost-per-kilometre comparison therefore adds that payment to electricity consumption at your home or public-charging rate. Compare the resulting total with the battery-included version and with any finance terms attached to each. Avoid comparing a BaaS ex-showroom vehicle price with the regular car’s on-road price.
Before signing, ask who owns the battery, whether there is a minimum monthly charge, what happens when the vehicle is sold, and whether the battery can be bought out. Get the treatment of battery health, damage and warranty in writing. These contract details matter more than a headline discount if you plan to keep the car for several years.
V3Cars reports the model-wise expansion of Tata’s BaaS programme. Use the current contract and your own driving estimate for the final decision.
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