Price Comparison: MG ZS EV BaaS vs Maruti Suzuki e Vitara BaaS

While the MG ZS EV has not found the success it was aimed for, it is a worthy SUV that offers a premium experience and satisfactory driving range, considering its price bracket. As high price has always been a buyer’s concern with the ZS EV, in September 2024, MG introduced the ZS EV with BaaS, which substantially reduces its upfront cost.

As the ZS EV is available under the BaaS scheme, it is a strong rival to the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, which is also available with BaaS. If you are looking to buy an electric SUV with BaaS and comparing the MG ZS EV with the Maruti e Vitara, here is a comprehensive ownership cost comparison of both models with BaaS.

MG ZS EV Quick Overview

Essentially, the MG ZS EV is the electrified version of the MG Astor. It is designed almost like the Astor; however, it features some EV-specific design elements to keep it distinguishable. Like the Astor, the ZS EV is known for its premium cabin atmosphere and a long list of upmarket features. A sole 50.3 kWh battery pack powers the ZS EV and has a claimed range of 461 km.

The MG ZS EV is priced at Rs. 17.99 – 20.75 lakh (ex-showroom), and its BaaS price is Rs. 13–15.51 lakh + Rs. 4.5/km.

ALSO READ: Should you buy the MG ZS EV in the BaaS scheme: Pricing Comparison

Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Quick Overview

Maruti has left no stone unturned in making its first electric car, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, as capable as possible. The e Vitara comes with the best-ever interior by Maruti standards and packs nearly every feature expected of an electric SUV at its price. While the e Vitara has many factors in its favour, the most prominent is its extensive network of Maruti service centres, each equipped with a fast charger. The e Vitara is offered with two battery packs: 49 kWh and 61 kWh. With a 49 kWh battery pack, the e Vitara has a claimed range of 440 km, and with a 61 kWh battery pack, it has a claimed range of 543 km.

The Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara is priced at Rs. 15.99 – 20.01 lakh (ex-showroom). Its BaaS price is Rs. 10.99 lakh + Rs. 3.99/km to Rs. 14.51 lakh + Rs. 4.39/km.

ALSO READ: Should you buy the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara in the BaaS scheme: Pricing Comparison

Price Comparison of MG ZS EV and Maruti Suzuki e Vitara

For this comparison, we will use only base variant prices of both models.

	MG ZS EV	Maruti Suzuki e Vitara
Standard Base Variant Price	Rs. 17.99 lakh	Rs. 15.99 lakh
BaaS Price	Rs. 13 lakh	Rs. 10.99 lakh
Battery Subscription Cost	Rs. 4.5/km	Rs. 3.99/km
Battery Price	Rs. 4.99 lakh	Rs. 5 lakh

The MG ZS EV base variant, Executive, is offered with a 50.3 kWh battery pack, and it costs Rs. 17.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Under the BaaS scheme, the ZS EV Executive costs Rs. 13 lakh with a battery subscription cost of Rs. 4.5 per kilometre.

The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara base variant, Delta, is priced at Rs. 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom). In the BaaS scheme, it costs Rs. 10.99 lakh with the battery subscription price of Rs. 3.99 per kilometre.

Every BaaS provider charges a set monthly fee for battery usage, which is more like a battery EMI, with a minimum monthly running distance set.  MG charges for 1,500 km, and Maruti Suzuki charges for 1,800 km.

Note: The battery subscription price is essentially the per-kilometre running cost, as reflected in the battery EMI. In simpler terms, the per-kilometre price is the battery EMI divided by a set number of kilometres, which varies by BaaS provider and is considered the minimum monthly running distance for their electric car. For example, MG charges for a minimum monthly running distance of 1,500 km, Maruti Suzuki charges for 1,800 km, and Tata charges for 1,800 km.

ALSO READ: Electric Cars Available with BaaS Scheme in India

Cost of Ownership Comparison: MG ZS EV BaaS vs Maruti Suzuki e Vitara BaaS

Case A – MG ZS EV (Base Executive variant) with BaaS

Upfront cost: Rs. 13 lakh

Down payment (20%): 20 % of Rs. 13 lakh = Rs. 2,60,000

Loan amount: Rs. 10,40,000

Monthly EMI on 9% interest in a 5-year loan tenure: Rs. 21,589

Charging cost

• The average domestic tariff for electricity is Rs. 8 per unit (kWh).
• Charging a 50.3-kWh battery pack requires about 53 units (assuming minor transmission losses), for Rs. 424.
• Given the MG ZS EV 50.3 kWh battery’s claimed driving range of 461 km and real-world driving range, it will take around 4 full charging cycles to cover 1,500 km.
• Monthly electricity usage cost for 1,500 km will be around 4 X Rs. 424 = Rs. 1,696

Minimum monthly charge or Battery EMI: Rs. 4.5 X 1,500 = Rs. 6,750

Note: The minimum monthly charge may vary depending on the battery loan you get.

Total monthly expenditure: Rs. 6,750 + Rs. 1,696 + Rs. 21,589 = 30,035

Total yearly expenditure: Rs. 30,035 X 12 = Rs. 3,60,420 + maintenance cost

5 years’ expenditure: Rs. 3,60,420 X 5 = Rs. 18,02,100 + maintenance cost

5 years ownership cost: Rs. 18,02,100 + Rs. 2,60,000 = Rs. 20,62,100 + maintenance cost

Now, if you do not finance the vehicle:

Total monthly expenditure: Rs. 6,750 + Rs. 1,696 = 8,446

Total yearly expenditure: Rs. 8,446 X 12 = Rs. 1,01,352 + maintenance cost

5 years’ expenditure: Rs. 1,01,352 X 5 = Rs. 5,06,760 + maintenance cost

5 years ownership cost: Rs. 13,00,000 + Rs. 5,06,760 = Rs. 18,06,760 + maintenance cost

Case B – Maruti Suzuki e Vitara (Base Delta variant) with BaaS

Upfront cost: Rs. 10.99 lakh

Down payment (20%): 20 % of Rs. 10.99 lakh = Rs. 2,19,800

Loan amount: Rs. 8,79,200

Monthly EMI on 9% interest in 5-year loan tenure: Rs. 18,251

Charging cost

• The average domestic tariff for electricity is Rs. 8 per unit (kWh).
• Charging a 49-kWh battery pack requires about 52 units (assuming minor transmission losses), at a cost of Rs. 416.
• Given the e Vitara Delta variant’s claimed driving range of 440 km and real-world driving range, it will take around 5 full charging cycles to cover 1,800 km.
• Monthly electricity usage cost will be around 5 X Rs. 416 = Rs. 2,080

Minimum monthly charge or Battery EMI: Rs. 3.99 X 1,800 = Rs. 7,182

Note: The minimum monthly charge may vary depending on the battery loan you get.

Total monthly expenditure: Rs. 7,182 + Rs. 2,080 + Rs. 18,251= Rs. 27,513

Total yearly expenditure: Rs. 27,513 X 12 = Rs. 3,30,156 + maintenance cost

5 years expenditure: Rs. 3,30,156 X 5 = Rs. 16,50,780 + maintenance cost

5 years ownership cost: Rs. 2,19,800 + Rs. 16,50,780 = Rs. 18,70,580 + maintenance cost

Now, if you do not finance the vehicle:

Total monthly expenditure: Rs. 7,182 + Rs. 2,080 = Rs. 9,262

Total yearly expenditure: Rs. 9,262 X 12 = Rs. 1,11,144 + maintenance cost

5 years expenditure: Rs. 1,11,144 X 5 = Rs. 5,55,720 + maintenance cost

5 years ownership cost: Rs. 10,99,000 + Rs. 5,55,720 = Rs. 16,54,720 + maintenance cost

Difference between costs of ownership of MG ZS EV Executive with BaaS and Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Delta with BaaS = Rs. 20,60,100 – Rs. 18,70,580 = Rs. 1,89,520

Therefore, over 5 years of ownership of base variants, a Maruti Suzuki e Vitara with BaaS will prove to be over Rs. 1.8 lakh more affordable than the MG ZS EV with BaaS.

Final Thoughts

Taking into account the BaaS prices of the MG ZS EV and Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, the e Vitara comes across as the more affordable of the two. Another advantage of the e Vitara is Maruti Suzuki’s brand value and its widespread network of service centres. Every Maruti Suzuki service centre has a fast charger that can quickly top up the e-Vitara. All the same, the ZS EV is more powerful than the e Vitara and delivers a more fun-to-drive experience.

FAQ