OEM's Offering Free Charging Stations and Battery Rental Plan for EV Buyers

Tata Motors, India's leading electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, and MG Motor are introducing new strategies to attract EV buyers. Tata Motors is offering free charging and significant discounts, while MG Motor has launched its first-ever battery rental plan. As it was a major hurdle in EV penetration and on top of that the buyers are concerned about electric car resale value. That’s the reason the OEMs are coming up with different plans for the customers.

Initially EVs are picking up pace in India and have covered the 2% of the market share. But Nowadays EV sales have been slowing down as the customers are concerned more about high prices and charging infrastructure. 

Let’s understand the MG Motors and Tata Motors Plans 

MG Motor’s Battery Rental Plan

MG Motor recently launched a new EV model, introducing the world’s first battery rental service. According to Satinder Singh Bajwa, MG Motor's Chief Commercial Officer, the aim is to make electric vehicles more affordable by allowing consumers to "pay for the usage of the battery as you pay for fuel." 

This innovative "Battery-as-a-Service" plan costs approximately 3.5 rupees (4 U.S. cents) per kilometre, though buyers must commit to a monthly minimum of 1,500 kilometres (932 miles).
The new plan is designed to reduce the high initial cost of EVs, specifically one of the most expensive components—the battery. MG Motor hopes this move will encourage more buyers to consider electric cars as a viable option.

Tata Motors’ Discounts and Free Charging Offers

In response to the festive season, Tata Motors has introduced significant price cuts ranging from 10% to 20% on its popular Punch and Nexon EV models. Additionally, Tata is offering six months of free charging at 5,500 stations operated by its power unit, further lowering the overall cost for buyers.

This initiative is part of Tata Motors’ broader goal to "mainstream EVs and accelerate EV adoption." By reducing the price of its best-selling Nexon EV to around $15,000, the company is bringing it on par with its gasoline and diesel-powered variants.

EV Sales Still Struggle Despite Efforts

Despite these efforts, Tata Motors sold only 4,086 electric vehicles in August, a nearly 15% drop from the previous year. This marks the fourth consecutive month of declining sales in India’s auto market, the third-largest in the world. The lack of accessible charging infrastructure remains a significant barrier to widespread EV adoption, with many Indian consumers still preferring petrol and diesel vehicles.