The biggest question in every car buyer's mind today is: Should I buy a petrol car or pay the premium for an electric vehicle? While EVs cost more upfront, their incredibly low running costs promise massive savings over time.
Let's look at a real-world financial comparison of running an EV vs. a petrol car in India.
Upfront Purchase Price
Usually, an EV version of a car (like the Tata Nexon EV) costs about ₹2 Lakh to ₹3 Lakh more than its automatic petrol counterpart. This premium is the "upfront investment" you make to save on fuel later.
Running Cost Calculations
Let us assume a daily commute of 50 km (approx. 1,500 km per month or 18,000 km per year).
1. Petrol Car Running Cost
- Average Mileage: 14 km/l (urban traffic)
- Petrol Price: ₹105 per Liter
- Monthly Fuel Needed: 107 Liters
- Monthly Cost: ₹11,235
- Annual Cost: ₹1,34,820
2. Electric Car Running Cost
- Average Efficiency: 8 km per kWh (unit of electricity)
- Electricity Rate: ₹8 per unit (urban residential)
- Monthly Power Needed: 187.5 units
- Monthly Cost: ₹1,500
- Annual Cost: ₹18,000
The Verdict on Savings
Running an EV saves you ₹9,735 per month or ₹1,16,820 per year in fuel alone! Within 2 to 2.5 years, you will have completely recovered the upfront purchase premium of the EV. Everything saved after that is pure profit in your pocket.
If you are planning to keep your vehicle for 5 to 7 years, switching to an electric vehicle is a clear financial victory.
