⚖️ EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator

The Savings Math (Worked for 1,200 km/month)

Here is the exact computation the calculator runs, using typical India rates — ₹7.5/kWh electricity, 8 km/kWh EV efficiency, ₹104/litre petrol, 15 km/litre petrol mileage:

1. EV cost per km: ₹7.5 ÷ 8 km/kWh = ₹0.94/km
2. Petrol cost per km: ₹104 ÷ 15 km/L = ₹6.93/km
3. EV monthly cost: 1,200 × ₹0.94 = ₹1,125
4. Petrol monthly cost: 1,200 × ₹6.93 = ₹8,320
5. Monthly savings: ₹8,320 − ₹1,125 = ₹7,195
6. Annual savings: ₹7,195 × 12 = ₹86,340
7. 5-year savings: ₹86,340 × 5 = ₹4,31,700

Petrol price: ~₹102-106/litre in Delhi, ~₹106-111/litre in Mumbai as of mid-2026 (state oil company price trackers). Electricity rate varies by state — see your state's rate at our state-wise electricity rates page. EV efficiency of 8 km/kWh is typical for Tata Nexon EV / MG ZS EV class vehicles.

Running Cost Comparison Table

How the per-km and monthly costs compare across different driving distances. All figures use the default rates above (₹7.5/kWh, ₹104/L petrol, 8 km/kWh, 15 km/L).

The 1,200 km row is highlighted because it's the average monthly driving distance for Indian car owners. At this distance, the 5-year savings of ₹4.3 lakh offset most of the EV purchase premium.

The Hidden Cost: Purchase Price Premium

The running cost savings are real, but EVs cost more to buy. A Tata Nexon EV starts around ₹14-15 lakh ex-showroom versus ₹9-11 lakh for the petrol Nexon — a premium of ₹3-4 lakh. Whether the EV pays off depends on how many kilometres you drive:

Above 1,200 km/month, the EV's running cost savings recover the purchase premium within the typical 5-year ownership period. Below 800 km/month, the payback stretches beyond 5 years — though lower maintenance costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements) narrow the gap further.

Maintenance: The Savings Most People Miss

EVs have fewer moving parts — no oil changes, no spark plugs, no clutch, no exhaust system. Regenerative braking means brake pads last 2-3x longer. Over 5 years, a petrol car's maintenance costs ₹40,000-60,000 (oil changes, filters, brake pads, clutch), while an EV's maintenance runs ₹15,000-25,000 (mainly cabin filter, brake fluid, coolant top-up). That's an additional ₹20,000-35,000 in savings over 5 years on top of the fuel savings.

The Common Mistake: Comparing Only Fuel Costs

Most EV vs petrol comparisons stop at fuel cost per km. The real comparison should include: (1) purchase price premium, (2) electricity cost, (3) maintenance savings, (4) insurance (EV insurance can be 10-15% higher due to battery value), and (5) resale value (EVs depreciate faster currently). Over 5 years at 1,200 km/month, the total cost of ownership favours the EV by ₹3-4 lakh including all factors — but only if you drive enough kilometres to recover the premium.

Edge Case: Public Charging Changes the Math

The calculator defaults to home charging at ₹7.5/kWh. If you rely on public DC fast chargers (₹18-24/kWh), your EV cost per km jumps to ₹2.25-3.00/kWh — still cheaper than petrol, but the gap narrows from 7x to 2-3x. At public charging rates with 1,200 km/month, your monthly savings drop from ₹7,195 to about ₹4,000-5,000. Home charging is what makes EV economics work in India.

Decision Framework: Should You Switch?

• Drive 1,200+ km/month with home charging: Yes — the EV saves ₹84,000+/year and recovers the premium in 3-4 years.
• Drive 800-1,200 km/month with home charging: Likely yes — payback in 4-5 years, plus lower maintenance. Check your state's electricity rate.
• Drive under 800 km/month: Borderline — running cost savings are real but the premium takes 5+ years to recover. Consider a cheaper EV or a hybrid.
• No home charging (apartment without parking): Reconsider — public charging at ₹18-24/kWh cuts savings significantly. The EV still wins on maintenance, but the fuel savings shrink.
• Highway driving (long distance): Factor in charging time and public charger availability. DC fast charging costs more and takes 30-60 minutes per stop.

The 2-Minute Self-Check

1. Check your last month's petrol receipts or trip meter — how many km did you actually drive?
2. Check your state's electricity rate on your electricity bill (look for the per-unit rate in your slab).
3. Enter both in the calculator above along with your car's actual petrol mileage.
4. Compare the 5-year savings to the EV purchase premium you'd pay.
5. If 5-year savings exceed the premium, the switch makes financial sense.

Your Next Steps

1. Run the calculator with your actual driving distance and local rates.
2. Check exact charging costs at the EV Charging Cost Calculator for your specific EV model.
3. See how long a full charge takes at the Charging Time Calculator.
4. Estimate real-world range for your driving conditions at the Range Estimator.
5. Check your state's electricity rate at our state-wise electricity rates page.

Check your battery health at the Battery Health Calculator.

Editor Note

Reviewed June 2026. Petrol price based on Delhi mid-2026 rates (₹102-106/litre); adjust for your city. EV efficiency of 8 km/kWh is typical for Tata Nexon EV class vehicles. Maintenance savings are not included in the calculator but are estimated at ₹20,000-35,000 over 5 years. If you spot an outdated figure, please contact us.