Sunday | Jun 08 2025 | 04:46:50 AM
In a move underscoring the intensifying battle for India's burgeoning electric vehicle terrain, JSW MG Motor India today formally introduced the MG Windsor EV Pro. This isn't merely an incremental update; it's a strategically enhanced version of the electric Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) – itself derived from the Wuling Cloud EV platform developed via MG's parent company, the Chinese state-owned SAIC Motor's joint venture (SAIC-GM-Wuling) – that, since its arrival less than a year ago, has significantly unsettled the established order, particularly within key metropolitan adoption centres like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru where the EV transition is most palpable. Launched with an aggressive introductory ex-showroom price tag of Rs 17.49 lakh here in the capital, the Windsor EV Pro arrives armed with a considerably larger battery promising 449 kilometres of range, a sophisticated Level 2 ADAS suite, and intriguing power-sharing capabilities, signalling MG’s clear intent to build aggressively on its recent market share gains.
Market Dynamics, Policy Shifts, and Model Wars
The narrative of the standard Windsor EV, based on the aforementioned Wuling Cloud EV platform, has been one of rapid, almost startling, success since its Indian debut in September 2024. Emerging with a distinctive, somewhat polarising "space-egg" aesthetic, it swiftly found favour, becoming the fastest EV in the country to cross the 20,000-unit sales threshold – achieved in a mere six months. It subsequently clocked seven consecutive months as India's best-selling electric car, a title reflecting its strong market resonance.
This meteoric rise coincided with a dramatic recalibration of market dynamics. Tata Motors, the behemoth that pioneered affordable EVs in India and enjoyed near-total dominance, saw its market share contract sharply – from highs exceeding 60 percent (touching 70 percent in FY24) down to 36 percent by April 2025, based on VAHAN portal retail sales data (excluding Telangana). In lockstep, JSW MG's share, propelled largely by the Windsor EV being its star performer, surged from around 13 percent in FY24 to a formidable 28 percent in April 2025. Mahindra & Mahindra also made significant inroads, capturing 24 percent share in April 2025 following the launch deliveries of its 'Born Electric' range (BE 6 and XEV 9e).
Top Electric Passenger Vehicle OEMs (India, Q1 2025 Sales)
*(Source: Aggregated reports citing VAHAN data/industry estimates for Jan-Mar 2025. Models launched/deliveries started during Q1. Note: Model-specific breakdowns are often estimated.)
Top Electric Passenger Vehicle OEMs (India, April 2025 Retail Sales)
(Source: VAHAN portal data via industry reports, as of early May 2025, excluding Telangana. YoY = Year-over-Year growth vs April 2024. Note: Table shows manufacturer totals as model-specific breakdowns for April 2025 are not officially released via VAHAN.)
The April figures confirm MG's strong second position (3,488 units), largely attributed to the sustained demand for the Windsor EV. Hyundai's impressive year-on-year growth (total 686 EV units in April) is significantly credited to the Hyundai Creta EV, launched in January 2025. However, while leveraging the powerful Creta brand name has certainly boosted Hyundai's EV presence from a low base, its initial volume impact has not yet mirrored the rapid, market-share-altering scale achieved by the MG Windsor EV immediately following its debut, which consistently sold several thousand units per month soon after launch.
This intensified competition unfolds against a backdrop of increasingly favourable policy environments in major urban centres. Delhi NCR, in particular, has been proactive. While the final notification of the ambitious Delhi EV Policy 2.0 is awaited (the existing policy was recently extended for three months, likely until July 2025), its draft proposals signal strong intent.
These include continued purchase subsidies (potentially up to Rs 30,000-36,000 for electric two-wheelers), exemptions on road tax and registration fees (currently active for BEVs under Rs 20 lakh), significant investment in public charging infrastructure, and proposed phase-outs for new registrations of certain fossil-fueled vehicles – such as CNG auto-rickshaws from August 2025 and petrol/CNG two-wheelers from August 2026. Such policy mechanisms, alongside growing consumer awareness and rising fuel costs, are accelerating EV adoption, especially in metropolitan areas which contribute disproportionately to national EV sales figures (overall EV penetration across all vehicle types reached approx. 7.8 percent nationally in FY25).
Windsor Pro Enhancements: Range, Tech, and Style Detailed
The Windsor EV Pro aims to capitalize on this environment, primarily by addressing range concerns while adding a layer of desirable tech. The core upgrade lies beneath the floor: a significantly larger 52.9 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack replaces the standard 38 kWh unit offered in the Indian Windsor EV. This translates to a claimed range increase of over 110 km, hitting that crucial 449 km figure (ARAI certified) – a number designed to quell the range anxiety that still percolates through the Indian car-buying psyche. Interestingly, the powertrain itself remains unchanged from the standard Windsor: the front wheels are driven by the same Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor generating a respectable 136 PS (approximately 134 bhp) and 200 Nm of torque. Performance isn't the headline; endurance and technology are. Charging infrastructure interaction remains crucial; the Pro supports standard 7.4 kW AC charging (0-100 percent in a claimed 9.5 hours overnight) and 60 kW DC fast charging (a claimed 20 percent - 80 percent top-up achievable in around 50 minutes).
Where the Pro truly differentiates itself, aiming for a technophile audience, is in its upgraded feature set. Headlining this is the implementation of a Level 2 ADAS suite. This isn't mere adaptive cruise control; it bundles 12 key features like Traffic Jam Assist (managing throttle, braking, and steering in slow-moving queues), Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, and other safety nets, all providing multi-stage alerts (audio, visual, haptic). This brings a level of driving automation previously uncommon at this price point into sharper focus.
Perhaps more intriguingly, MG has equipped the Pro with both Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) capabilities. V2L allows the car’s substantial battery to act as a mobile power bank, capable of running laptops, lights, or even small appliances via a standard plug – a boon for outdoor excursions or during India's not-infrequent power outages. The V2V function pushes this further, enabling the Windsor EV Pro to physically transfer charge to another compatible EV, offering a potential roadside rescue for a fellow electric traveller low on electrons – a genuinely novel feature in this segment. Convenience is also addressed with the addition of a powered tailgate.
Inside, the Pro variant distinguishes itself with a new, lighter cabin ambiance featuring dual-tone ivory and black theme with beige upholstery on the seats and key touchpoints, replacing the all-black theme of the standard Windsor EV. Faux wood inserts and copper accents further embellish the dashboard and door panels, aiming for a more premium feel. Core interior strengths remain, including the dominating 15.6-inch vertically oriented touchscreen infotainment system, the 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ventilated front seats, the signature panoramic 'Infinity View' glass roof, and a 9-speaker Infinity-tuned audio system. Visually, the Pro retains the standard model’s unique silhouette, but distinguishing features include newly designed 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels (echoing those on the MG Hector) and the subtle 'ADAS' badge on the rear. Buyers can choose from three new exterior paint options: Celadon Blue, Glaze Red, and Aurora Silver – joining the existing palette.
MG Windsor EV Pro at a Glance
Pricing Strategy and The BaaS Advantage
JSW MG continues its strategic BaaS offering for the Pro, allowing customers to purchase the vehicle for Rs 12.49 lakh (ex-showroom) while leasing the battery at a rate of Rs 4.5 per kilometre. This financial engineering significantly lowers the initial acquisition cost – a key factor identified in the standard Windsor's success – making the upgraded Pro potentially accessible to a wider audience despite its higher list price compared to the standard range (which starts at Rs 14 Lakh). The introductory pricing of Rs 17.49 lakh for the outright purchase is valid only for the first 8,000 bookings, adding urgency for interested buyers. Bookings officially commence on May 8th, 2025. Based on the ex-showroom price of Rs 17.49 Lakh and factoring in the Delhi EV policy waivers, a reasonable estimate for the on-road price of the MG Windsor EV Pro in Delhi NCR would be around Rs 18.5 Lakh to Rs 18.7 Lakh.
Competitive Arena Heats Up Further
As the order books prepare to open, the Windsor EV Pro enters a complex and increasingly crowded competitive field. It offers substantially more range and novel tech (V2V, ADAS) than the similarly priced Mahindra XUV400 EV (Rs 15.49 L - 17.69 L for the 39.4 kWh version with 456 km range). Against the Tata Nexon EV Long Range (approx. Rs 15 L - 17.2 L), it presents a compelling alternative; while the Nexon EV boasts a higher claimed range (489 km) on paper despite a smaller 46 kWh battery, the Windsor Pro counters with its larger battery capacity, unique V2V capability, and arguably more generous interior/boot space. Both now offer Level 2 ADAS features and V2L. The Pro also competes directly with the recently launched Tata Curvv EV (starting Rs 17.49 Lakh) and the base variants of the Mahindra BE 6 (starting Rs 18.90 Lakh). It squares up against the Hyundai Creta Electric (Rs 17.99 L+), offering competitive, and in some cases unique (V2V), features often at a sharper price point, though the Creta leverages strong existing brand loyalty. Within the MG family, it presents a nuanced choice against the lower variants of the ZS EV (Rs 18.98 L+).
Looking further ahead, the sub-Rs 20 Lakh EV segment is set for more disruption. Key anticipated rivals include the Maruti Suzuki eVX and its Toyota counterpart (potentially named Urban Cruiser EV), expected to arrive in late 2025 or early 2026, bringing the scale of India's largest carmaker into the electric fray within this crucial price bracket.
The arrival of the MG Windsor EV Pro signifies more than just another electric vehicle option for the Indian consumer. It represents a calculated move by JSW MG Motor India to solidify its position as a major force in the country's EV transition, leveraging technological enhancements, platform engineering from its parent SAIC Motor, and continued pricing innovation. Set against a backdrop of supportive, if evolving, government policies particularly in urban centres, and intensifying competition from established players and new entrants alike, the Windsor EV Pro adds a compelling, feature-rich contender to the crucial sub-Rs 20 lakh segment. Its market reception will be a key indicator of consumer priorities in this dynamic phase of India's shift towards electric mobility.
