Mahindra Electric has used India's 80th Independence Day celebrations to introduce the refreshed BE 6 SPORTEQ range, bringing new technology, fresh variants and a more accessible Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) ownership model. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV AutoMate, Reeti Nageshri, Head of Business, Mahindra Electric, spoke about the evolution of the BE 6, customer feedback, EV market performance and the future of connected mobility.
The BE 6 has emerged as one of India's most recognisable electric vehicles since its launch, thanks to its futuristic design, premium positioning and strong real-world range figures. With the launch of the SPORTEQ line-up, Mahindra is now looking to broaden the appeal of the SUV while retaining its distinctive character.
BE 6 SportEq Becomes The New Standard
When asked whether the original BE 6 effectively makes way for the new SPORTEQ l range, Nageshri confirmed that the SPORTEQ series will define the BE 6 line-up moving forward.
"SPORTEQ becomes the new BE 6 series going forward. The Freedom Edition, the Launch Edition, all of these sit in that SPORTEQ series."
The announcement comes shortly after Mahindra launched the BE 6 SPORTEQ on August 15, 2026, with prices starting at Rs 19.45 lakh (ex-showroom) or Rs 11.45 lakh under the BaaS programme plus Rs 3.75 per kilometre.
Mahindra Electric's Growth Story
Reflecting on Mahindra Electric's journey so far, Nageshri described the experience as "super gratifying", highlighting the brand's strong momentum in India's EV market.
According to her, Mahindra currently holds the No. 1 position in EV revenue market share while also ranking second in overall EV volume market share, despite operating in a relatively premium price band.
She further revealed that Mahindra has now sold more than 80,000 electric vehicles, with the company posting a 77 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth in its latest reported quarter.
"Customers are super happy. They've been getting over 500 km real-world range."
The statement underlines one of the BE 6's strongest selling points, with real-world usability often emerging as a key concern among prospective EV buyers.
One of the most talked-about announcements surrounding the SPORTEQ range is the new Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, which significantly lowers the vehicle's upfront purchase price.
Rather than positioning BaaS purely as a cost-saving initiative, Nageshri described it as a new-age financing solution tailored for a generation increasingly comfortable with subscriptions.
"BaaS is a way to offer financing honestly, and there's this generation that loves subscription. So we're offering that option too."
Currently, the BaaS programme is available on select variants, though Nageshri hinted that Mahindra could evaluate expanding the offering across a broader range of vehicles in the future.
Is The BE 6 Already V2X-Ready?
One of the more intriguing moments of the interview came when the discussion turned towards Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology.
With the BE 6's Qualcomm-powered architecture and India's recent progress towards standardising V2X communication frameworks, NDTV AutoMate asked whether the top-end BE 6 variant is already prepared for a future V2X rollout.
Nageshri's response was intentionally cryptic.
"Let's keep that as a suspense."
While she stopped short of offering confirmation, the response is likely to fuel speculation about Mahindra's future connected-car roadmap and potential software-enabled upgrades.
NDTV AutoMate Take
The Mahindra BE 6 SPORTEQ is more than a mid-cycle update. It builds upon one of India's most successful premium EV launches with tangible improvements driven by customer feedback. The addition of a triple-screen cabin, Google Gemini integration, personalised tailgate messaging and a lower-entry BaaS pricing structure broadens the BE 6's appeal without diluting its futuristic identity.
At a time when EV buyers are demanding both cutting-edge technology and practical ownership solutions, Mahindra appears determined to deliver both. And if Nageshri's playful response to the V2X question is any indication, there may be even more in store for the BE 6 in the years ahead.
Source :- https://www.ndtv.com