Hyundai Motor India has launched a new way to buy the Creta Electric. Called Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), it separates the cost of the car from the cost of its battery. This brings the starting price of the SUV down to ₹10.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Instead of paying for the battery upfront, buyers pay ₹3.9 for every kilometre they drive.
This puts the Creta Electric at the same starting price as its biggest rival, the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara. The e-Vitara also starts at ₹10.99 lakh under a similar BaaS plan, launched in February 2026. Its battery charge is slightly higher, at ₹3.99 per kilometre.
How Does BaaS Work?
Normally, when you buy an electric car, the price includes the battery, which can be 30-40% of the total cost. Under BaaS, buyers pay a lower price for just the car and pay separately for battery use, based on how much they drive. This is usually set up as a loan.
For the Creta Electric, Hyundai will finance 90% of the battery's value over eight years, at an estimated interest rate of 8.75%.
Tarun Garg, Managing Director and CEO of Hyundai Motor India, said the plan is meant to lower the upfront cost of buying an EV. He explained that a large part of the vehicle's price is now shifted to running costs instead, making it easier for more people to consider switching to electric.
MG Motor India was one of the first to try this model in India, with its Windsor EV. Maruti Suzuki followed with the e-Vitara, which used BaaS to bring its price down close to that of a petrol SUV.
Two Other Changes
Along with the new pricing plan, Hyundai has made two small updates to the Creta Electric:
- A side foot step is now standard on some trims. This makes it easier to get in and out, since the battery pack sits under the floor and raises the car slightly.
- A stronger home charger. The car now comes with a 7.4 kW wall box charger, replacing the older, slower charger. Hyundai says this change came after listening to feedback from current owners.
Who Else Is in the Race?
The Creta Electric competes in a busy segment of electric SUVs in India:
- The Tata Curvv EV starts at ₹16.99 lakh. It comes with a 55 kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 502 km.
- The VinFast VF7 starts at ₹21.89 lakh. It stands out as one of the few EVs in this price range to offer all-wheel drive, with a claimed range of up to 532 km.
- The Tata Sierra EV launched on June 30, 2026, starts at ₹18.79 lakh. It offers two battery sizes (63 kWh and 75 kWh), a claimed range of up to 665 km, an all-wheel-drive option, and a lifetime battery warranty.
Until now, the Creta Electric's regular price of ₹18.03 lakh made it one of the more expensive options in this list. The new BaaS pricing is a clear attempt to close that gap and compete more directly on cost.
How the Numbers Change With Usage
The cost of BaaS depends heavily on how much a car is driven. For someone covering under 10,000 km a year, the battery charges add up to a small amount, making the total cost of ownership lower than paying for the battery upfront. For someone driving much more, such as ride-hailing or fleet operators, who often cover well over 100,000 km a year, the per-kilometre charge can add up to more than the cost of buying the battery outright.
This distinction is relevant because fleet and commercial vehicles are a significant part of India's EV adoption plans. Whether BaaS pricing works well for high-mileage buyers, or mainly for occasional drivers, will depend on the specific terms each manufacturer offers.
It's also worth noting that the battery portion of the deal is still a financial commitment on its own. Financing 90% of the battery's value over eight years, at an estimated 8.75% interest, runs alongside the vehicle price rather than replacing it. Buyers comparing this option to outright purchase would need to weigh the lower upfront price against the total cost over the full loan period, based on their expected usage.
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