Petrol is sitting at ₹103–108 per litre across India. An electric vehicle covers the same kilometre for just ₹1.20–₹1.50. That’s a gap so wide that thousands of Indian families are switching — and saving ₹40,000 to ₹80,000 every single year. But the big question isn’t just running cost. It’s the whole picture — the higher purchase price, the break-even point, maintenance, subsidies, and what happens after 5 years. That’s exactly what this article — and the free EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator below— will answer for you, with real Indian numbers for 2026.
⚡ EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator
Find out how much you can save with an Electric Vehicle in India
Petrol Vehicle
Electric Vehicle
Smart Charging
Charge during off-peak hours to save up to 40% on electricity costs
Low Maintenance
EVs have 60% fewer moving parts than petrol vehicles
Government Benefits
Get FAME-II subsidies and state-level incentives on EV purchase
1. Why EV vs Petrol Costs Matter More Than Ever in 2026
India crossed 5 million cumulative EV sales in 2025. Two-wheelers lead the charge, but EV cars are growing fast, driven by one simple reason: running cost.
Here’s the reality of Indian fuel economics in 2026:
- Petrol: ₹103–108/litre (varies by state, up ~18% since 2022)
- Diesel: ₹90–96/litre
- Home electricity for EV charging: ₹6–9 per unit (kWh) depending on your state slab
A petrol car doing 15 km/l costs ₹7/km to run. An EV doing 6 km/kWh at ₹8/unit costs just ₹1.33/km. Over 1,500 km a month — a typical Indian city commuter — that’s a difference of ₹8,500 per month, or over ₹1 lakh per year, just on fuel.
The math has never looked better for EVs. But it’s not uniform — your savings depend on your driving distance, your state’s electricity rate, and which vehicle you’re comparing. That’s why you need a calculator, not just a headline number.
2. EV vs Petrol Cost Per Km — The Formula Explained {#formula}
Before you touch the calculator, it helps to understand what’s happening under the hood.
Petrol Cost Per Km Formula
Petrol Cost per km = Petrol Price (₹/litre) ÷ Mileage (km/litre)Example: Petrol at ₹105/litre, car mileage 15 km/l
₹105 ÷ 15 = ₹7.00 per km
EV Cost Per Km Formula
EV Cost per km = Electricity Tariff (₹/kWh) ÷ Efficiency (km/kWh)Example: ₹8/unit electricity, EV efficiency 6 km/kWh
₹8 ÷ 6 = ₹1.33 per km
The Saving Per Km
Saving per km = Petrol cost per km − EV cost per km
= ₹7.00 − ₹1.33 = ₹5.67 per kmThat ₹5.67 saving multiplied over 18,000 km/year (average Indian driver) equals ₹1,02,060 saved every year on fuel alone. The calculator above does all of this instantly — including your break-even point and 5-year projection.
3. How to Use the EV vs Petrol Cost Calculator
The calculator at the top of this page is built specifically for Indian conditions. Here’s how to get the most accurate result:
Step 1 — Select Car or Bike tab based on whether you’re comparing four-wheelers or two-wheelers.
Step 2 — Choose your vehicles from the dropdown. Popular models like Tata Nexon EV, Ola S1, Ather 450X, and their petrol equivalents are pre-loaded with accurate real-world data.
Step 3 — Enter your petrol price. Check the current price for your city — it varies by ₹2–4 across states. The default is ₹105/litre.
Step 4 — Enter your electricity rate. Find this on your home electricity bill under “tariff slab.” For most urban households it’s ₹7–9/unit. Use your actual rate for precision.
Step 5 — Click “Show Detailed Analysis” to see your 5-year cost of ownership, break-even distance, and CO₂ savings.
💡 Pro Tip: Enter your actual monthly driving distance (not the default 1,500 km) for a personalised result. High-mileage drivers (2,000+ km/month) save the most with EVs.
4. Real Examples: Popular Indian Cars & Scooters Compared
🚗 Cars — Monthly Cost at 1,500 km/month
| Comparison | Cost Per Km | Monthly Fuel Cost | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Nexon EV vs Nexon Petrol | ₹1.3 vs ₹7.0 | ₹1,950 vs ₹10,500 | ₹8,550 |
| MG ZS EV vs MG Hector Petrol | ₹1.4 vs ₹7.8 | ₹2,100 vs ₹11,700 | ₹9,600 |
| Tata Punch EV vs Punch Petrol | ₹1.2 vs ₹6.4 | ₹1,800 vs ₹9,600 | ₹7,800 |
| Citroen eC3 vs C3 Petrol | ₹1.3 vs ₹7.0 | ₹1,950 vs ₹10,500 | ₹8,550 |
Assumes: Home charging ₹8/unit, petrol ₹105/litre. Real-world efficiency used (not ARAI figures).
🛵 Scooters — Monthly Cost at 1,200 km/month
| Comparison | Cost Per Km | Monthly Fuel Cost | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ola S1 Pro vs Honda Activa 6G | ₹1.35 vs ₹3.9 | ₹1,620 vs ₹4,680 | ₹3,060 |
| Ather 450X vs TVS Jupiter 125 | ₹1.4 vs ₹4.1 | ₹1,680 vs ₹4,920 | ₹3,240 |
| TVS iQube vs Hero Splendor+ | ₹1.3 vs ₹2.8 | ₹1,560 vs ₹3,360 | ₹1,800 |
| Bajaj Chetak vs Bajaj Pulsar 125 | ₹1.4 vs ₹3.5 | ₹1,680 vs ₹4,200 | ₹2,520 |
Assumes: Home charging ₹8/unit, petrol ₹105/litre.
Key Takeaway
The Tata Nexon EV vs Nexon Petrol comparison is one of the most searched in India — and for good reason. Same body, same brand, but the EV version saves the average Mumbai or Delhi commuter over ₹1 lakh per year on fuel. That changes the entire affordability story.
5. Five-Year Total Cost of Ownership: EV vs Petrol
Running cost is only one part. To make a truly smart decision, you need to look at Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) — everything you’ll spend over 5 years.
Tata Nexon EV Max vs Nexon Petrol — 5-Year TCO
| Cost Item | Nexon EV Max | Nexon Petrol (XZ+) |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price (ex-showroom) | ₹19,49,900 | ₹11,49,900 |
| FAME-II Subsidy | −₹1,50,000 | — |
| Effective Purchase Price | ₹17,99,900 | ₹11,49,900 |
| Fuel/Charging (5 yrs, 18,000 km/yr) | ₹11,700 | ₹63,000 |
| Annual Maintenance × 5 | ₹30,000 | ₹80,000 |
| Insurance (avg × 5) | ₹75,000 | ₹65,000 |
| Total 5-Year Cost | ₹20,04,900 | ₹19,49,900 |
⚠️ Note: By Year 5, the Nexon EV’s total spend is nearly identical to the petrol version — despite costing ₹8 lakh more to buy. For higher mileage drivers (2,000+ km/month), the EV wins decisively by Year 4.
The break-even is not as far away as people think — especially after adding state subsidies on top of FAME-II.
6. How Your State’s Electricity Rate Changes Everything
This is the most under-discussed factor in every “EV vs Petrol” article you’ve read. Your electricity rate has a massive impact on savings.
| State | Domestic Rate (₹/kWh) | EV Cost/km | Petrol Cost/km | Monthly Savings (1,500 km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | ₹9.5 | ₹1.58 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,130 |
| Delhi | ₹3.0 (subsidised) | ₹0.50 | ₹7.00 | ₹9,750 |
| Karnataka | ₹7.5 | ₹1.25 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,625 |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹6.5 | ₹1.08 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,880 |
| Gujarat | ₹7.0 | ₹1.17 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,745 |
| Rajasthan | ₹8.0 | ₹1.33 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,505 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ₹6.0 | ₹1.00 | ₹7.00 | ₹9,000 |
| West Bengal | ₹8.5 | ₹1.42 | ₹7.00 | ₹8,370 |
Key insight: Delhi residents with subsidised electricity at ₹3/unit save nearly ₹1.17 lakh per year versus petrol. Even in Maharashtra where power is costlier, EV owners save over ₹97,000 per year.
Enter your state’s exact electricity rate in the calculator above to see your personalised savings figure.
7. FAME-II Subsidies & State Incentives That Shift the Math
The Government of India’s FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme directly reduces the upfront cost of EVs — which dramatically shortens the break-even period.
Central FAME-II Benefits (2025–26)
| Vehicle Type | FAME-II Subsidy |
|---|---|
| Electric Cars | Up to ₹1,50,000 |
| Electric Two-Wheelers | Up to ₹25,000 |
| Electric Three-Wheelers | Up to ₹50,000 |
Top State-Level Additional Incentives
| State | Extra Subsidy | Other Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | ₹1,50,000 (cars) + ₹5,000/kWh | Road tax waiver + free registration |
| Maharashtra | ₹25,000 (scooters) | No road tax on EVs |
| Gujarat | ₹20,000 (scooters) | Subsidised home charger installation |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹15,000 | 100% road tax exemption |
| Rajasthan | ₹10,000 | Motor vehicle tax waiver |
Combined impact example: A Delhi buyer purchasing an Ola S1 Pro (₹1,30,000) could receive ₹25,000 (FAME-II) + ₹5,000 (Delhi state) = ₹30,000 off — bringing effective cost to ₹1,00,000. The same scooter’s monthly fuel savings of ₹3,060 means break-even in just 33 months.
11. Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}
Is an EV really cheaper than a petrol car in India?
Yes — for the running cost, EVs are dramatically cheaper. At current prices (petrol ₹105/litre, electricity ₹8/unit), an EV costs around ₹1.30–₹1.50/km versus ₹6.50–₹7.50/km for petrol. However, the upfront purchase price of EVs is higher, so the total cost becomes comparable or better only after a few years of driving, depending on your monthly usage.
What is the average EV cost per km in India?
For home charging, the average EV cost per km in India is ₹1.20 to ₹1.60 per km, depending on your state’s electricity tariff and the vehicle’s efficiency. Using public DC fast chargers (₹18–22/unit), the cost rises to ₹3–₹4/km, which still beats petrol but reduces savings significantly.
How much can I save in a year with an EV in India?
For a typical Indian driver doing 1,500 km/month, annual savings are ₹70,000 to ₹1,20,000 on fuel compared to a petrol car. Adding reduced maintenance saves another ₹8,000–₹12,000 per year. Total annual savings: ₹80,000–₹1,30,000, depending on vehicle and state.
What is the break-even point for an EV in India?
Break-even depends on your monthly driving and the price premium of the EV over its petrol equivalent. For the Tata Nexon EV vs Nexon Petrol, break-even is approximately 5–6 years at 1,500 km/month, dropping to 3.3 years at 2,500 km/month.
Does the FAME-II subsidy still apply in 2026?
The FAME-II scheme has been extended and evolved into new EV promotion policies. Benefits of up to ₹1.5 lakh for electric cars and ₹25,000 for electric two-wheelers are available on qualifying models. Check the official FAME portal or your dealer for the latest approved vehicle list.
Which Indian EV has the lowest cost per km?
Among popular models, the Tata Tiago EV and Tata Punch EV have some of the lowest cost-per-km figures (~₹1.10–₹1.25/km) due to their efficient LFP battery packs. For scooters, the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak offer strong efficiency at home charging rates.
Is EV charging at home cheaper than public charging?
Significantly cheaper. Home charging with a standard 15-amp socket typically costs ₹6–9 per unit, translating to ₹1.00–₹1.50/km. Public DC fast chargers cost ₹18–22/unit (₹3–₹4/km). Charging at home 80% of the time is the key to maximising EV savings in India.
How does state electricity rate affect EV savings?
Your state’s domestic electricity tariff is the single biggest variable in your EV savings calculation. Delhi residents pay as low as ₹3/unit (heavily subsidised), making their EV cost per km around ₹0.50 — an extraordinary saving. Maharashtra residents pay ₹9–10/unit, reducing savings but still keeping EV at ₹1.58/km vs ₹7/km petrol. Enter your exact tariff in the calculator above for your personalised result.
Summary: EV vs Petrol — The 2026 Verdict
The economics of electric vehicles in India have crossed a tipping point. Here’s the one-line summary for each buyer type:
| Buyer Type | Verdict |
|---|---|
| City commuter, 1,500+ km/month | ✅ Switch to EV now — saves ₹80,000–₹1,20,000/year |
| Delivery professional, 3,000+ km/month | ✅ Strongest case for EV — break-even in under 3 years |
| Occasional driver, <800 km/month | ⏳ Marginal — evaluate once EV prices drop further |
| Long-distance highway driver | ⚠️ Wait for better charging infrastructure |
| Electric scooter buyer | ✅ Excellent case — narrow price premium, fast break-even |
The calculator at the top of this page takes your exact driving distance, vehicle choice, local electricity rate, and petrol price to give you a number that’s yours — not an industry average. Use it to make a decision backed by data, not marketing.
Note: Calculations are estimates. Actual costs may vary based on usage patterns and local rates.
📅 Article published: February 2026 | Based on current Indian ex-showroom prices, DISCOM tariff data, and manufacturer warranty terms.
📌 Data sources: Ministry of Heavy Industries (FAME-II), state DISCOM official tariff schedules, Indian Oil Corporation fuel price data, authorised service centre maintenance cost averages, Cardekho / CarWale used vehicle valuations.