Compare the total ownership cost of an electric car vs a petrol car in India over 5-10 years. EVs have higher upfront cost but much lower running and maintenance costs. Our calculator factors in purchase price, subsidies, fuel/charging costs, insurance, maintenance, and resale value.
With electricity at ₹5-8/unit and petrol at ₹105/litre, EV running cost is just ₹1-1.5/km vs ₹7-8/km for petrol. But is the higher purchase price worth it? This calculator tells you exactly when the EV breaks even and how much you save over the car’s lifetime.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the price of both vehicles (EV and petrol variant).
- Enter monthly driving distance and fuel/electricity costs.
- Set the comparison period (5-10 years).
- Click “Compare” to see year-by-year cost breakdown and break-even point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying an EV worth it in India?
Financially, EVs make sense if you drive 1,000+ km/month and plan to keep the car for 5+ years. The break-even point is typically 3-5 years. Beyond that, you save significantly. For low-mileage users (<500 km/month), a petrol car may be more economical.
What is the running cost of an EV per km in India?
EV running cost is approximately ₹0.80 to ₹1.50 per km depending on electricity rates and vehicle efficiency. A Tata Nexon EV, for example, costs about ₹1.1/km at home charging rates. Compare this to ₹7-8/km for a petrol car.
Do EVs have higher maintenance costs?
No, EVs have significantly lower maintenance costs. No oil changes, fewer brake pad replacements (regenerative braking), no clutch, fewer moving parts. EV maintenance is typically 40-60% lower than petrol cars. Battery warranty is usually 8 years/1.6 lakh km.