⚡ EV Charging Cost Calculator
Updated June 2026 · State-wise electricity rates · 10% charging loss included
A Tata Nexon EV (30.2 kWh) costs about ₹200 to fully charge at home in Maharashtra (₹8/kWh) — versus ₹600+ at a public DC fast charger. Select your EV model and state below to see your exact charging cost, cost per km, and savings versus petrol.
Your Charging Cost
Formula: How EV Charging Cost Is Calculated
The calculator uses this formula:
The 1.10 multiplier adds 10% for charging losses — AC power from your wall is converted to DC for the battery, and some energy is lost as heat during this conversion. Without this factor, you'd underestimate your actual electricity consumption by about 10%.
Electricity rates are approximate domestic slab rates for each state (2026). Actual rates vary by DISCOM, consumption slab, and tariff order. EV model battery capacities are per manufacturer specifications.
Example: Charging a Tata Nexon EV in Maharashtra
Here is the exact computation the calculator runs, using a Tata Nexon EV (30.2 kWh) charging from 20% to 100% in Maharashtra at ₹8/kWh:
- Battery capacity: 30.2 kWh
- Charge percentage: 100% − 20% = 80% = 0.80
- Energy needed: 30.2 × 0.80 = 24.16 kWh
- With 10% loss: 24.16 × 1.10 = 26.58 kWh drawn from the grid
- Charging cost: 26.58 × ₹8 = ₹213
- Range added: 312 km × 0.80 = 249.6 km
- Cost per km: ₹213 ÷ 249.6 = ₹0.85/km
- Monthly cost (1,200 km): ₹0.85 × 1,200 = ₹1,020/month
- Petrol equivalent (₹104/L, 15 km/L): ₹8,320/month
- Monthly savings vs petrol: ₹8,320 − ₹1,020 = ₹7,300
Result Interpretation: Home vs Public Charging
The same EV costs very different amounts to charge depending on where you plug in:
| Charging Type | Rate (₹/kWh) | Nexon EV Full Charge | Cost/km | Monthly (1,200 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home AC (Maharashtra) | ₹8 | ₹213 | ₹0.85 | ₹1,020 |
| Home AC (Tamil Nadu) | ₹6 | ₹160 | ₹0.64 | ₹768 |
| Home AC (Kerala) | ₹9 | ₹240 | ₹0.96 | ₹1,152 |
| Public DC (typical) | ₹18-24 | ₹480-640 | ₹1.92-2.56 | ₹2,304-3,072 |
| Petrol car (for comparison) | ₹104/L | — | ₹6.93 | ₹8,320 |
Home charging is 2-4x cheaper than public DC fast charging and 7-8x cheaper than petrol. The highlighted row shows why daily public charging is costly — it's still cheaper than petrol, but the savings shrink significantly.
Charging Cost by EV Model (Maharashtra, ₹8/kWh, 20-100%)
| EV Model | Battery | Full Charge Cost | Range Added | Cost/km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Tigor EV | 26.0 kWh | ₹183 | 252 km | ₹0.73 |
| Tata Nexon EV | 30.2 kWh | ₹213 | 250 km | ₹0.85 |
| Tata Nexon EV Max | 40.5 kWh | ₹285 | 260 km | ₹1.10 |
| Mahindra XUV400 | 39.4 kWh | ₹278 | 365 km | ₹0.76 |
| MG ZS EV | 50.3 kWh | ₹354 | 369 km | ₹0.96 |
| Mahindra BE 6 | 44.0 kWh | ₹310 | 468 km | ₹0.66 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 59.0 kWh | ₹416 | 400 km | ₹1.04 |
| Kia EV6 | 71.4 kWh | ₹503 | 424 km | ₹1.19 |
Cost per km varies widely between models — the Mahindra BE 6 costs only ₹0.66/km while the Kia EV6 costs ₹1.19/km, even at the same electricity rate. This is because efficiency (km/kWh) differs by model. The Nexon EV row is highlighted as the most common EV in India.
Common Mistake: Ignoring Slab-Based Billing
India uses slab-based electricity billing — the more units you consume, the higher the rate per unit. Charging a large EV battery every day can push your monthly consumption into a higher slab, where the marginal rate is ₹9-12/kWh instead of ₹6-8/kWh. If your monthly electricity bill was ₹2,000 before the EV and jumps to ₹4,000 after, the extra ₹2,000 isn't just the charging cost — some of it is the higher rate on your existing household consumption too. To avoid this, check your DISCOM's slab structure and consider a separate meter for EV charging if your state offers one.
Limitations: What This Calculator Cannot Know
- Actual electricity rate: We use approximate domestic slab rates per state. Your actual rate depends on your DISCOM, your consumption slab, and any time-of-day tariff. Check your electricity bill for the exact per-unit rate.
- Charging efficiency: We assume 90% efficiency (10% loss). Actual loss varies by charger type, cable length, and battery temperature — it can be 8-15%.
- Battery degradation: As your battery ages, its usable capacity decreases. A 3-year-old 30.2 kWh battery may effectively hold 28 kWh, reducing both charging cost and range.
- Public charging rates: Public DC fast charger rates vary by operator (Tata Power, Statiq, ChargeZone) and location — from ₹15 to ₹30/kWh plus GST. The calculator shows home charging costs only.
- Do not enter private information: This calculator needs no personal data. All computation happens in your browser.
Check This First: Verify Your Numbers
- Check your electricity bill for the per-unit rate in your slab — don't rely on the state average in the dropdown.
- Check your EV's battery capacity in the owner's manual or manufacturer website — confirm it matches the dropdown.
- If you charge at public stations, look up the actual rate on the operator's app (Statiq, Tata Power EZ Charge, ChargeZone) — it's typically ₹18-24/kWh + GST.
- Track your actual monthly charging cost for one month and compare it to the calculator's estimate. If they differ by more than 20%, your electricity slab or charging loss may be different from our assumptions.
- For a full TCO comparison including purchase price and maintenance, use our EV vs Petrol Calculator.
Related Tools
- EV vs Petrol Cost Comparison — see total 5-year savings including purchase premium and maintenance
- Charging Time Calculator — how long your charge takes on different charger types
- Range Estimator — real-world range based on speed, AC, and terrain
- Battery Health Calculator — estimate your battery's current capacity
- State-wise Electricity Rates — exact per-unit rates for all 28 states
Frequently Asked Questions
How is EV charging cost calculated?
Charging cost = Battery capacity (kWh) × Charge percentage × Electricity rate (₹/kWh). We add 10% for charging losses (AC-to-DC conversion heat loss). For example, a 30.2 kWh battery charging from 20% to 100% at ₹8/kWh costs ₹213.
Is home charging cheaper than public charging?
Yes. Home charging costs ₹5-9/kWh (domestic rate) while public stations charge ₹15-30/kWh. Home charging is 2-4x cheaper. At 1,200 km/month, home charging saves ₹1,000-2,000/month versus public charging.
How much does it cost to charge a Tata Nexon EV fully?
A Tata Nexon EV (30.2 kWh) costs ₹180-250 to fully charge at home, depending on your state's electricity rate. At a public DC fast charger, the same charge costs ₹600+.
What is the per-km running cost of an EV in India?
For most 4-wheeler EVs charged at home, the running cost ranges from ₹0.80 to ₹1.20 per km. This is far lower than the ₹6 to ₹8 per km cost of petrol cars at ₹104/litre and 15 km/litre.
Does charging an EV increase my electricity bill significantly?
At 1,200 km/month, an EV adds about ₹1,000-1,500/month to your electricity bill (depending on your state's rate). Compare this to ₹8,000+/month for petrol — the EV saves ₹6,500-7,000/month even after the higher electricity bill.
Editor Note
Reviewed June 2026. Electricity rates are approximate state averages for 2026 and should be verified against your actual electricity bill. EV battery capacities are per manufacturer published specifications as of June 2026 — new model variants may have different battery sizes. The 10% charging loss factor is a typical figure; actual loss varies by charger and conditions. If you spot an outdated rate or incorrect battery spec, please contact us so we can correct it.