# Can INR 3.20/km Battery Plans Make Electric Cargo Three-Wheelers Affordable?

> ONE Pass separates the battery from the vehicle purchase and combines battery use and charging at INR 3.20 per kilometre, capped at INR 12,000 per month.
- **Author**: Prakash
- **Published**: 2026-10-16
- **Modified**: 2026-10-24
- **Category**: guide
- **URL**: https://bestev.in/news/can-320km-battery-plans-make-electric-cargo-three-wheelers-affordable-20261016

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Exponent ONE has introduced ONE Pass, a pay-per-use Energy-as-a-Service plan for selected Montra Electric cargo three-wheelers in Delhi-NCR. The programme removes the battery's upfront purchase cost and combines battery usage and charging into a INR 3.20-per-kilometre fee.

For driver-owners, the attraction is a lower entry cost and an energy bill that changes with vehicle use. The trade-off is that the per-kilometre charge continues over the operating period and depends on access to Exponent Energy's rapid-charging network.

## ONE Pass: price and eligibility

| Item | Announced term |
|---|---:|
| Eligible models | Montra Electric Super Cargo eQX and eQXd+ |
| Down payment | INR 39,999 |
| Vehicle EMI | INR 12,099 per month for 48 months |
| Energy fee | INR 3.20 per km |
| Monthly energy cap | INR 12,000 |
| Rate validity | Fixed for four years |
| Charging access | Exponent Energy 15-minute rapid-charging network |
| Battery cover | Lifetime battery warranty for eligible vehicles |
| Initial market | Delhi-NCR |

Terms, eligibility, taxes, insurance and finance approval should be verified directly before purchase.

## How the pay-per-kilometre model works

A conventional electric three-wheeler purchase bundles the battery into the vehicle price. ONE Pass separates the energy system from the financed vehicle. The driver pays the vehicle EMI and then pays INR 3.20 for every kilometre driven, covering battery usage and network charging.

Billing is daily, while the energy charge is capped at INR 12,000 per month. At the stated rate, the cap is reached at 3,750km in a month.

## Illustrative monthly cost

| Monthly distance | Energy charge at INR 3.20/km | Vehicle EMI | Combined EMI + energy |
|---:|---:|---:|---:|
| 1,500km | INR 4,800 | INR 12,099 | INR 16,899 |
| 2,500km | INR 8,000 | INR 12,099 | INR 20,099 |
| 3,750km | INR 12,000 | INR 12,099 | INR 24,099 |
| 4,500km | INR 12,000 cap | INR 12,099 | INR 24,099 |

These figures exclude insurance, maintenance, tyres, permits, tolls, parking, taxes and any other finance charges. They are illustrations, not an earnings guarantee.

## Why the cap changes the economics

Without a cap, a vehicle travelling 4,500km would incur INR 14,400 at INR 3.20/km. The INR 12,000 ceiling lowers the effective rate to about INR 2.67/km. At 6,000km, the effective capped rate would be INR 2/km.

High-utilisation operators therefore benefit most from the cap--provided the vehicle, driver and charging network can support those kilometres reliably.

## Comparison with charging at home or a depot

Grid charging may deliver a lower direct electricity cost per kilometre, depending on tariff and efficiency. However, many three-wheeler drivers do not have dedicated parking, a suitable electrical connection or time for slow charging.

ONE Pass bundles access to 15-minute charging, battery usage and warranty protection. The correct comparison is therefore not simply INR 3.20/km versus the electricity bill. Buyers should compare total ownership cost, downtime, financing, battery risk and charging availability.

## Who could benefit?

The plan may suit:

- Driver-owners with limited upfront capital
- Operators with predictable daily routes
- Vehicles working long shifts
- Fleets close to Exponent charging locations
- Users who value predictable energy pricing for four years

It may be less suitable for low-mileage users, operators far from compatible chargers or businesses that already have inexpensive depot charging.

## Questions to ask before signing

1. Which exact variants and pin codes qualify?
2. What events can change or terminate the four-year rate?
3. What does the lifetime battery warranty cover?
4. Are towing and substitute-vehicle support included?
5. What happens if a nearby charger is unavailable?
6. Are GST and transaction fees included in INR 3.20/km?
7. Can the vehicle be sold or transferred with the plan?
8. What are the penalties for early closure?

## BestEV verdict

ONE Pass directly addresses two barriers to electric commercial vehicles: high upfront battery cost and anxiety about battery life. Its strongest economics appear at high monthly utilisation because of the INR 12,000 cap. The deciding factor will be network reliability. A low entry price is valuable only if the driver can charge quickly enough to keep earning.

### Sources

- [Autocar Professional: Exponent ONE launches ONE Pass](https://www.autocarpro.in/news/exponent-one-launches-pay-per-km-energy-plan-for-montra-electric-3ws-135259)
- [Montra Electric three-wheelers](https://wf.montraelectric.com/lastmile)

*Featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration.*

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