MG SELECT Launches Battery-as-a-Service for Cyberster and M9

MG SELECT Introduces Battery-as-a-Service for Cyberster and M9

On September 17, MG SELECT introduced its Battery-as-a-Service programme for the MG Cyberster and MG M9 electric vehicles in India. The MG SELECT Battery-as-a-Service programme separates part of the vehicle purchase cost from battery usage, reducing the initial price customers pay for the vehicles while adding a distance-based battery rental charge. Under the introductory pricing, the Cyberster is offered at INR 7.25 million, while the M9 starts at INR 7 million. Both vehicles carry a battery rental charge of INR 8 per kilometer, creating a usage-linked payment structure for customers.

Battery Rental Model Reduces Upfront Vehicle Pricing

The BaaS programme changes the conventional electric-vehicle purchasing model by reducing the upfront vehicle price and charging customers according to the distance they drive. For the MG Cyberster, the introductory vehicle price is INR 7.25 million, with an additional battery rental charge of INR 8 per kilometer. The MG M9 starts at INR 7 million under the same INR 8-per-kilometer battery rental structure. This approach links a portion of ownership costs to vehicle usage, giving customers a pricing model in which battery expenses are calculated according to distance traveled rather than being incorporated entirely into the initial vehicle purchase price.

MG Cyberster Delivers 510 PS and 725 Nm

The MG Cyberster is offered with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain that produces 510 PS and 725 Nm of torque. Its performance-focused electric powertrain is a key part of the vehicle's specification under the new programme, while the BaaS structure addresses the upfront cost associated with purchasing the electric vehicle. The combination of a high-output dual-motor system and usage-based battery rental gives the Cyberster a distinct position within the programme. Customers therefore receive the vehicle with its stated performance specification while paying the separate battery rental according to the number of kilometers driven.

MG M9 Features Advanced Driver and Passenger Equipment

The MG M9 brings a different emphasis to the programme, with equipment designed around passenger comfort, driver assistance and occupant protection. Its listed features include powered Presidential Seats, Level 2 ADAS, a driver-monitoring system and seven airbags. These features form part of the vehicle's overall specification alongside the battery rental structure. The MG SELECT programme therefore covers two electric vehicles with different product characteristics: the Cyberster combines its dual-motor performance configuration with usage-based battery payments, while the M9 emphasizes premium seating, driver-assistance technology and safety equipment.

MG SELECT Expands Experience Centre Network

MG SELECT operates 15 Experience Centres across 14 cities in India. The network provides the existing physical presence through which the brand can present its electric vehicles and explain the BaaS ownership structure to customers. For a programme based on a different approach to vehicle and battery payments, customer understanding of the pricing model is particularly important. The combination of the new programme and the Experience Centre network gives MG SELECT an established retail touchpoint for communicating the introductory vehicle prices, per-kilometer battery rental charges and individual specifications of the Cyberster and M9.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The BaaS programme introduces a different cost structure for electric-vehicle ownership by separating the initial vehicle purchase price from battery usage, potentially changing how customers compare upfront costs with ongoing operating expenses. Its relevance will depend on how buyers respond to the INR 8-per-kilometer battery rental charge and the lower initial vehicle prices offered for the Cyberster and M9. For MG SELECT, the approach also creates a need for clear communication of the payment model through its Experience Centre network. Further customer adoption and the continued use of usage-based battery pricing will indicate how significant this ownership model becomes within the Indian electric-vehicle market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MG SELECT's Battery-as-a-Service programme?
MG SELECT's Battery-as-a-Service programme separates battery usage costs from the upfront electric-vehicle purchase price for the Cyberster and M9. Under the programme, customers pay a lower introductory vehicle price and an additional battery rental charge based on kilometers driven. Both vehicles carry a battery rental rate of INR 8 per kilometer. The Cyberster is priced at INR 7.25 million, while the M9 starts at INR 7 million. The programme is designed to connect battery-related payments more directly with vehicle usage while maintaining the vehicles' specified equipment and powertrain characteristics.