Tata Nexon, Curvv, Sierra and Harrier EVs get BaaS option

Tata Motors has extended its Battery-as-a-Service scheme to four more electric cars — the Nexon EV, Curvv EV, Sierra EV and Harrier EV. Until now, BaaS was available only on the Tiago EV and Punch EV. The scheme now covers every electric car Tata sells in India.

What BaaS actually does to the sticker price

Under BaaS, you buy the car without its battery pack, which brings the upfront cost down considerably. The battery is then paid for through a monthly subscription, with the amount varying depending on the size of the pack. So the figure you see on the showroom invoice is not the full picture — you add the monthly battery fee on top of your EMI to get your true monthly outgo.

This matters most for buyers who were just outside the budget for a Nexon EV or Curvv EV and kept looking at petrol alternatives. The lower on-road price can make loan eligibility easier and reduce the down payment significantly.

Who should actually consider BaaS

BaaS makes more sense for some buyers than others. A few things worth thinking through:

• If you plan to use the car for five or more years, run the total cost of the subscription against the standard battery price before deciding
• The monthly battery payment is separate from your car loan EMI, so budget for both
• Resale value of a BaaS car may behave differently since the battery is not owned outright
• Check whether the subscription covers battery degradation or replacement after a certain number of years
• Confirm with the dealer which variants of the Nexon EV, Curvv EV, Sierra EV and Harrier EV are eligible — not every trim may be offered under BaaS

The Harrier EV and Sierra EV angle

The Harrier EV and Sierra EV are the larger, more expensive ends of Tata's electric range. BaaS being available on these two is meaningful because even a modest reduction in upfront cost on a premium electric SUV can shift a buying decision. Tata has not announced separate BaaS pricing for the Harrier EV and Sierra EV packs versus the Nexon EV and Curvv EV packs, so ask your dealer for the exact monthly figure for the specific car you are considering — do not assume the rate is the same across models.

If you were already close to pulling the trigger on any of these four, this is worth a call to your nearest Tata dealer this week.

Are you considering BaaS or would you rather own the battery outright?