On the pricier side of the burgeoning mid-size electric SUV segment are the Mahindra BE 6 and Hyundai Creta Electric, particularly, their respective range-topping variants. The BE 6 Pack Three has a 79kWh battery with 683km of ARAI range, while the Creta Electric Long Range Excellence is rated at 473km. We put the e-SUVs through our rigorous and exhaust mileage tests to see if the real world range is similar to the ARAI figure.

Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric specifications and price

BE 6 Park Three has larger battery, more power, and a higher ARAI range figure than the Creta Electric Long Range

*Includes Rs 75,000 for 11.2kW AC charger and installation

Unlike the Mahindra BE 6, which is a born-EV, the Creta Electric is an ICE to EV conversion and as such, it continues with the Hyundai Creta’s front-wheel drive format. The Hyundai 51.4kWh battery is a massive 27.6kWh short of the BE 6’s 79kWh unit, and Creta Electric also has a 115hp and 125Nm deficit in outputs. The BE 6’s larger battery also has a 210km advantage in ARAI range, but its size also means that it takes 8 hours to charge to full on a 11.2kW AC fast charger; the Creta Electric’s 51.4kWh unit charges to 100 percent in 4 hours and 50 minutes on same charger. However, one can use a 180kW DC fast charger on the BE 6, while the Creta Electric can be charged of speeds up to 50kW, which is why it takes nearly an hour.

It should be noted that the Creta Electric Long Range Excellence with an 11.2kW AC home charger (HC priced at Rs 73,000) is also available with Knight Edition, Dual Tone and Dual Tone Knight Edition variants. However, even the range-topping Creta Electric Long Range Excellence (HC) Dual Tone Knight Edition costs a significant Rs 2.95 lakh less than the top-spec BE 6 Pack Three.

Mahindra BE 6 vs Hyundai Creta Electric real world range

BE 6 79kWh’s real world range is just 17km more than the Creta Electric, which is far more efficient

Despite having a much smaller battery capacity the Creta Electric uses the energy far more efficiently. In fact, in our Creta Electric range tests, the Hyundai EV managed to go 486km in the city; 48km more than the BE 6. Naturally, its highway range was lower (378km), but the Creta Electric’s average real world range is still an impressive 432km, just 41km shy of the ARAI figure. The Hyundai 51.4kWh battery posted an efficiency of 8.4km/kWh, making it the second most efficient mass market EV we have tested.

Meanwhile, the BE 6 Pack Three’s combined range figure of 449km is a significant 234km short of the ARAI range. The Mahindra EV’s 79kWh battery recorded an efficiency figure of 5.68km/kWh, making it marginally more efficient than the Tata Harrier EV (5.35km/kWh), but slightly less efficient than Mahindra’s XEV 9e (5.78km/kWh).

Autocar India’s range testing

Before our real-world range test, the battery of our test car is fully charged, and we maintain tyre pressures as recommended by the manufacturer. The car is driven in a fixed loop in the city and on the highway, and we maintain certain average speeds. In the end, we calculate the range based on the percentage of charge consumed. Throughout our test, the climate control is set at 22deg C, the fan speed is set to auto, and other electricals, such as the audio system, lights and ventilated front seats (if equipped), are used when required, just like how a regular user would. We take pride in our testing data, which isn’t just consistent but also gives users an accurate indication of what they can expect in the real world.

Also see:

Mahindra BE 6 vs Tata Curvv EV real world range comparison

Mahindra BE 6 real world performance compared to rivals