The shift to electric mobility in India is no longer about “if” but “when.” While styling, performance and range matter, one of the biggest factors influencing EV adoption is cost. The Mahindra BE 6, a coupe-SUV, doesn’t just tick the boxes on design and technology, it makes a very strong case on the financial side too. Let’s break it down.
1. Purchase Benefits: Taxes and Subsidies
When you buy a conventional petrol or diesel car, you pay road tax, registration charges and often higher insurance premiums. With an EV like the Mahindra BE 6, most states in India waive these charges entirely. On top of that, states such as Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh offer direct subsidies on EVs, which can reduce the on-road cost by Rs. 1-2 lakh depending on the battery size and variant.
So even before you start driving, you’re already saving compared to a petrol/diesel equivalent.
2. Running Costs: The Real Game-Changer
Let’s assume you’ve chosen the 79 kWh battery variant of the BE 6.
- Real-world range (practical conditions): ~500 km
- Battery capacity: 79 kWh
- Electricity tariff (home charging, average): Rs. 7–8 per kWh
Cost to fully charge = 79 × Rs. 8 = ~Rs. 632
Cost per km = Rs. 632 ÷ 500 km = ~Rs. 1.26/km
Now let’s compare with a petrol SUV of similar size and performance:
- Mileage: ~12–13 km/l
- Petrol cost (average India, August 2025): ~Rs. 100/litre
Cost per km = Rs. 100 ÷ 12 = ~Rs. 8.30/km
That’s nearly seven times more expensive than the BE 6 per kilometre.
3. Monthly Driving Example
Instead of a single trip, let’s consider typical monthly usage. Suppose you drive 1200 km per month (roughly 40 km/day):
- In the BE 6 (EV): 1200 × Rs. 1.26 ≈ Rs. 1510
- In a petrol SUV: 1200 × Rs. 8.30 ≈ Rs. 9960
That’s a monthly saving of more than Rs. 8400 just on fuel. Over a year, the savings cross Rs. 1 lakh.
Even if you include occasional use of public fast chargers (where tariff may be Rs. 18-22/kWh), the BE 6 still works out significantly cheaper, closer to Rs. 3-4/km, which is still less than half the cost of petrol.
4. Annual Ownership Savings
For an average owner driving 12,000 km/year:
- Petrol SUV running cost = 12,000 × Rs. 8.30 ≈ Rs. 99,600
- Mahindra BE 6 running cost = 12,000 × Rs. 1.26 ≈ Rs. 15,100
That’s an annual saving of around Rs. 84,500 just on running cost. Over 5 years of ownership, you save more than Rs. 4 lakh, without even factoring in lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer moving parts).
5. Quick Cost Comparison Table
| Distance Driven | Petrol SUV Cost (Rs. 8.30/km) | BE 6 EV Cost (Rs. 1.26/km) | Savings (Rs.) |
| 500 km | Rs. 4150 | Rs. 630 | Rs. 3520 |
| 1000 km | Rs. 8300 | Rs. 1260 | Rs. 7040 |
| 5000 km | Rs. 41,500 | Rs. 6300 | Rs. 35,200 |
| 10,000 km | Rs. 83,000 | Rs. 12,600 | Rs. 70,400 |
| 20,000 km | Rs. 1,66,000 | Rs. 25,200 | Rs. 1,40,800 |
6. The Bigger Picture
The Mahindra BE 6 is not just about sharp design and cutting-edge tech, it’s also about making financial sense. With upfront savings on registration and subsidies, followed by drastically lower running and maintenance costs, the BE 6 proves to be one of the most economical ways to own and run a premium SUV in India today.
For buyers who enjoy long drives, weekend road trips or heavy daily commutes, the numbers speak for themselves: an EV like the Mahindra BE 6 can drastically cut your fuel bills while giving you a futuristic, performance-packed driving experience.
The post Mahindra BE 6 vs Petrol/Diesel SUVs: The Running Cost Battle appeared first on MotorBeam.
