Look, I get it. You’re standing at the EV showroom, looking at that ₹16 lakh Tata Nexon EV, and the salesperson is throwing numbers at you — “₹1.20 per kilometre! You’ll save ₹5,000 every month!” — and you’re nodding along, but in your head you’re thinking: Is that actually true? How do I verify these claims? I’ve been there. When I was researching my own EV purchase last year, I wanted to understand the real math — not the brochure promises. So I built a spreadsheet. And then I realized something: most people don’t know how to calculate this stuff, but it’s actually dead simple to Calculate EV Running Cost vs Petrol in India.
That’s what this guide is. No jargon. No assumptions. Just the straightforward formulas you need to calculate whether an EV genuinely saves you money, and a free Excel template so you can plug in your own numbers and see the truth for yourself.
use our online calculator: If you don’t want to mess with Excel, use our free online Calculate EV Running Cost vs Petrol in India — does the same calculations instantly.
1. Why You Should Calculate This Yourself {#why-calculate}
Here’s a story. My neighbor Rajesh bought a petrol Creta in 2021. Three years later, his college friend bought a ZS EV. My neighbor was convinced his friend was “wasting money on that expensive electric car.”
Then we sat down with a calculator one evening. Turns out his friend, who drives about 2,000 km per month for work, had already saved enough on fuel to almost make up the price difference. Rajesh was spending ₹14,000 a month on petrol. His friend? ₹2,800 on electricity. That’s ₹11,200 saved every single month.
Rajesh’s face when he realized this was priceless. And that’s why you need to calculate this yourself.
use our online calculator: If you don’t want to mess with Excel, use our free online Calculate EV Running Cost vs Petrol in India — does the same calculations instantly.
Three reasons to do your own math:
1. Marketing numbers are always optimistic. When a brochure says “5 km per kWh,” that’s tested in perfect lab conditions. Your real-world number might be 4.2 km per kWh in Mumbai traffic. That 20% difference matters over five years.
2. Your driving pattern is unique. A delivery guy doing 3,000 km per month has a completely different cost structure than someone who drives 800 km per month. Generic “average user” numbers don’t apply to you.
3. Your state’s electricity rate changes everything. Delhi residents with subsidized electricity at ₹3 per unit live in a different economic reality than someone in Maharashtra paying ₹9.50 per unit. The same EV model has vastly different operating costs depending on where you charge it.
Bottom line: Five minutes with a calculator can save you from making a ₹10 lakh mistake — in either direction.
2. The Basic Formula: EV Cost Per Km {#ev-formula}
Okay, let’s start with the easiest calculation. Forget everything complicated. Here’s what you need:
The Formula:
EV Cost per km = Electricity rate (₹ per kWh) ÷ Vehicle efficiency (km per kWh)
That’s it. Two numbers. Let me show you where to find them.
Finding Your Electricity Rate
Open your home electricity bill. Don’t have it? Check your online account or ask your parents if you’re living with them (no judgment, rent is expensive).
Look for something that says “Energy Charges” or “Tariff.” For most households, you’ll see something like ₹6–9 per unit (also called per kWh, same thing).
Important: If your bill shows different “slabs” (like ₹5 for first 100 units, ₹7 for 101-300 units), use the slab where most of your charging will happen. For most people, that’s the second or third slab — somewhere around ₹7–8.5 per unit.
Finding Vehicle Efficiency
This is trickier because manufacturers lie. Sorry, but they do. The official ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) numbers are always inflated.
Here’s what I recommend: Go to online EV owner forums like the EVCommunity.in discussions or Team-BHP electric vehicle threads. Real owners post their real-world efficiency. For example:
- Tata Nexon EV: Official 6.8 km/kWh → Real-world 5.5–6.0 km/kWh
- Ola S1 Pro: Official 7.2 km/kWh → Real-world 5.5–6.2 km/kWh
- MG ZS EV: Official 6.5 km/kWh → Real-world 5.0–5.5 km/kWh
Use the real-world number. Always.
Example Calculation
Let’s say you’re looking at a Nexon EV. Your electricity rate is ₹8 per unit. Real-world efficiency from owner forums is 5.8 km per kWh.
Cost per km = ₹8 ÷ 5.8
Cost per km = ₹1.38 per kilometre
Done. That’s your EV running cost. Write it down. Calculate EV Running Cost vs Petrol in India
3. The Basic Formula: Petrol Cost Per Km {#petrol-formula}
Now the petrol side. Even simpler.
The Formula:
Petrol cost per km = Petrol price (₹ per litre) ÷ Vehicle mileage (km per litre)
Finding Your Petrol Price
You know this one already. Check any petrol pump app or just remember what you paid last time. As of February 2026, it’s sitting around ₹103–108 per litre depending on your city.
Finding Real Mileage
Again, don’t trust the brochure. A car that claims 17 km/l will probably give you 13-14 km/l in real city driving with AC on.
Pro tip: Check the fuel efficiency section in owner reviews on CarDekho, CarWale, or Team-BHP. You want the “city driving with AC” number, not the highway number.
Example Calculation
Your petrol car is a Nexon (petrol variant). Current petrol price is ₹105 per litre. Real-world city mileage from owner reviews: 13 km/l.
Cost per km = ₹105 ÷ 13
Cost per km = ₹8.08 per kilometre
Write that down too.
The Moment of Truth
Now subtract:
Saving per km = ₹8.08 − ₹1.38
Saving per km = ₹6.70
If you drive 1,500 km per month:
Monthly saving = ₹6.70 × 1,500
Monthly saving = ₹10,050
Annual saving = ₹10,050 × 12
Annual saving = ₹1,20,600
That’s over a lakh saved every year. Just on fuel. And we haven’t even added maintenance savings yet (which we’ll do next).
4. Step-by-Step: Build Your Own Calculate EV Running Cost vs Petrol in India in Excel {#excel-guide}
Alright, let’s get practical. Open Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. We’re going to build a proper calculator together.
Step 1: Set Up Your Input Section
Create these rows at the top of your sheet:
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Variable | EV Value | Petrol Value |
| Monthly distance (km) | 1500 | 1500 |
| Electricity rate (₹/kWh) | 8 | N/A |
| Petrol price (₹/litre) | N/A | 105 |
| Vehicle efficiency (km/kWh or km/l) | 5.8 | 13 |
Fill in the numbers in yellow so you know these are the cells you can change.
Step 2: Calculate Running Cost
Add these rows below:
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per km | =B3/B5 | =C4/C5 |
| Monthly fuel cost | =B6*B2 | =C6*C2 |
| Annual fuel cost | =B7*12 | =C7*12 |
In Excel, that looks like:
- Cell B6:
=B3/B5(electricity rate divided by efficiency) - Cell B7:
=B6*B2(cost per km times monthly distance) - Cell B8:
=B7*12(monthly cost times 12)
Do the same for the petrol column (column C).
Step 3: Add Maintenance Costs
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Annual maintenance | 6000 | 16000 |
These are estimates. Adjust based on your service centre quotes.
Step 4: Calculate Total Cost
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Total annual cost | =B8+B10 | =C8+C10 |
| Savings with EV | =C11-B11 |
Step 5: Add Break-Even Calculation
At the bottom, add:
| A | B |
|---|---|
| EV purchase price | 1750000 |
| Petrol car purchase price | 1150000 |
| Price difference | =B14-B15 |
| Annual saving (from above) | =C11-B11 |
| Years to break even | =B16/B17 |
Now you can change any number and watch everything recalculate instantly.
Want to test different scenarios? Change the monthly distance. See what happens if electricity rates go up. Play with the numbers. That’s the power of having your own calculator.
5. Beyond Fuel: How to Factor in Maintenance Costs {#maintenance}
This is where most online calculators fall short. They focus so much on fuel that they forget maintenance is a huge part of vehicle ownership.
Let me break down real maintenance costs from my own experience and from talking to dozens of EV and petrol car owners in my city.
Petrol Car: Annual Maintenance Reality Check
Here’s what you actually spend on a typical petrol car (let’s say a Nexon or Creta):
Scheduled services (2× per year):
- Engine oil + filter: ₹3,500 × 2 = ₹7,000
- Air filter: ₹600
- Fuel filter: ₹800 (every 2 years, so ₹400/year)
- Spark plugs: ₹2,000 (every 3 years, so ₹667/year)
- Coolant flush: ₹1,200 (every 2 years, so ₹600/year)
Unscheduled stuff:
- Brake pads: ₹3,000 (every 2 years, so ₹1,500/year)
- Clutch issues: ₹1,000/year (average, if unlucky)
- Random repairs: ₹2,000/year
Total: ₹15,500–₹17,000 per year
Electric Car: Annual Maintenance Reality Check
Here’s what you spend on an EV:
Scheduled services (1× per year):
- Brake fluid check: ₹500
- Tyre rotation: ₹600
- Coolant check (battery thermal management): ₹800
- General inspection: ₹1,000
Unscheduled stuff:
- Brake pads: ₹3,000 (every 4 years due to regenerative braking, so ₹750/year)
- Random electrical issues: ₹1,000/year
Total: ₹4,500–₹6,000 per year
The Difference
₹16,000 (petrol) − ₹5,500 (EV) = ₹10,500 saved per year on maintenance
Add that to your fuel savings and suddenly the break-even point looks a lot closer, doesn’t it?
Add this to your Excel sheet:
- Create a row for “Annual maintenance cost”
- Put ₹16,000 for petrol, ₹5,500 for EV
- Include it in your total annual cost calculation
Now you’re getting somewhere.
6. The FAME-II Factor: How Subsidies Change Everything {#subsidies}
Here’s where it gets interesting. The Indian government is basically giving you free money to buy an EV. Don’t ignore this.
FAME-II Subsidy (Central Government)
As of 2026, the subsidy is:
- ₹1,50,000 for eligible electric cars
- ₹25,000 for electric two-wheelers (capped at ₹10,000/kWh)
This is deducted directly at the showroom. You don’t apply separately. The dealer handles it.
Important: Not all EVs qualify. The vehicle must be manufactured in India with minimum 50% local content. Most Tata, MG, and Mahindra EVs qualify. Some imported models don’t.
State Subsidies (Your Location Matters)
On top of FAME-II, many states add their own subsidy:
- Delhi: Extra ₹1.5 lakh + road tax waiver
- Maharashtra: Extra ₹25,000 (limited units) + zero road tax
- Gujarat: Extra ₹1.5 lakh + subsidized charger
- Tamil Nadu: Extra ₹1 lakh + road tax exemption
- Karnataka, UP, Rajasthan: ₹25,000–₹1 lakh depending on model
Real example: A Delhi buyer purchasing a Nexon EV gets:
- FAME-II: ₹1.5 lakh
- Delhi subsidy: ₹1.5 lakh
- Road tax saved: ₹1.75 lakh
- Total benefit: ₹4.75 lakh
That ₹17.5 lakh car effectively costs ₹12.75 lakh out of pocket.
How to Add This to Your Calculation
In your Excel sheet, create a section called “Purchase Price Adjustment”:
| Description | EV | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Showroom price | 1,750,000 | 1,150,000 |
| FAME-II subsidy | -150,000 | 0 |
| State subsidy | -150,000 | 0 |
| Road tax saved | -175,000 | 0 |
| Effective price paid | 1,275,000 | 1,150,000 |
| Real price premium | 125,000 |
Now recalculate your break-even with the real price difference, not the sticker price. The difference is massive.
7. Advanced: Building a 5-Year Cost Projection {#advanced}
Okay, you’ve got the basics down. Let’s take it one level deeper. Most people buy a car and keep it for 5-7 years. So let’s calculate total ownership cost over 5 years.
What to Include in 5-Year TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
- Purchase price (after subsidies)
- Fuel/charging (year 1-5)
- Maintenance (year 1-5)
- Insurance (year 1-5, premiums decrease each year)
- Resale value (what you’ll get back after 5 years)
Building the 5-Year Model in Excel
Create a new section:
Year-by-Year Breakdown:
| Year | EV Fuel | EV Maint | EV Insur | Petrol Fuel | Petrol Maint | Petrol Insur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24,000 | 6,000 | 35,000 | 1,26,000 | 16,000 | 28,000 |
| 2 | 24,000 | 6,000 | 31,500 | 1,26,000 | 16,000 | 25,200 |
| 3 | 24,000 | 6,500 | 28,350 | 1,26,000 | 17,000 | 22,680 |
| 4 | 24,000 | 7,000 | 25,515 | 1,26,000 | 18,000 | 20,412 |
| 5 | 24,000 | 7,500 | 22,964 | 1,26,000 | 19,000 | 18,371 |
| Total | 1,20,000 | 33,000 | 1,43,329 | 6,30,000 | 86,000 | 1,14,663 |
Add initial cost and subtract resale:
| Item | EV | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (after subsidies) | 12,75,000 | 11,50,000 |
| 5-year running costs | 2,96,329 | 8,30,663 |
| Total spent | 15,71,329 | 19,80,663 |
| Resale value (after 5 years) | -6,50,000 | -5,50,000 |
| Net 5-year cost | 9,21,329 | 14,30,663 |
| You save with EV | ₹5,09,334 |
That’s over 5 lakhs saved. Even after accounting for everything — including the slightly lower resale value of EVs.
8. Real Example: I Calculated My Cousin’s Savings {#real-example}
Let me tell you about my cousin Priya. She’s a doctor in Pune, drives about 1,800 km per month between her clinic and hospital rounds. In 2023, she was torn between the Nexon EV and the regular Nexon petrol.
I sat down with her one weekend and we did the math together. Here’s what we found:
Her driving pattern:
- Monthly distance: 1,800 km
- Mostly city traffic with AC always on
- Home parking with charging access
- Maharashtra electricity rate: ₹9.20/kWh (her actual bill rate)
The calculation:
Nexon Petrol:
- Her real-world mileage: 11.5 km/l (heavy AC use)
- Petrol price in Pune: ₹106/litre
- Cost per km: ₹106 ÷ 11.5 = ₹9.22/km
- Monthly fuel: ₹9.22 × 1,800 = ₹16,596
- Annual maintenance: ₹18,000 (quoted by service centre)
Nexon EV:
- Real-world efficiency: 5.6 km/kWh (from owner forums)
- Home charging: ₹9.20/kWh
- Cost per km: ₹9.20 ÷ 5.6 = ₹1.64/km
- Monthly charging: ₹1.64 × 1,800 = ₹2,952
- Annual maintenance: ₹6,000 (quoted)
The difference:
- Monthly saving: ₹16,596 − ₹2,952 = ₹13,644 on fuel
- Plus maintenance: ₹1,000/month
- Total monthly saving: ₹14,644
She was spending nearly ₹17,000 a month on petrol. With the EV, she’d spend ₹3,000 on electricity.
The price difference after FAME-II and Maharashtra subsidy was ₹4.8 lakh. At ₹14,644 saved per month, her break-even point was 33 months — less than 3 years.
She bought the Nexon EV. Called me six months later to say thanks because she’d already saved over ₹80,000.
The point? High-mileage drivers are the biggest winners from EVs. If you drive more than 1,500 km per month, the math becomes ridiculously favorable.
9. Common Mistakes People Make When Calculating {#mistakes}
I’ve helped maybe 20 people do these calculations now. Here are the mistakes almost everyone makes the first time:
Mistake 1: Using ARAI Efficiency Numbers
ARAI is overly optimistic. Always use real-world efficiency from owner forums. The difference can be 20-30%.
Fix: Join EVCommunity.in, Team-BHP EV section, or Ola/Ather owner groups on WhatsApp. Ask real owners what they’re getting.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to Account for AC Usage
Your real-world efficiency drops 15-20% when running AC in summer. If you live in a hot state and use AC year-round, factor this in.
Fix: Ask owners specifically for “AC on, city traffic” numbers.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Insurance Cost Difference
EVs have higher insurance premiums because of higher IDV (Insured Declared Value) and battery replacement costs. This adds ₹5,000–₹12,000 more per year.
Fix: Get actual insurance quotes from PolicyBazaar or directly from insurers for both vehicles before calculating.
Mistake 4: Using Your Average Electricity Rate Instead of Marginal Rate
If you use 200 units per month and your EV adds 120 units, those extra 120 units are charged at your highest slab rate, not your average rate.
Fix: Check your bill’s tariff structure. Use the rate for the slab where the extra consumption will fall.
Mistake 5: Not Planning for Battery Degradation
After 4-5 years, EV batteries lose about 8-10% capacity. Your running cost will increase slightly because you’ll get fewer km per kWh.
Fix: Add a 10% degradation factor to your Year 4-5 calculations. It’s not huge but it’s real.
Mistake 6: Comparing Apples to Oranges
Don’t compare a base Nexon petrol to a top-variant Nexon EV. Compare similar trim levels. The feature difference can add ₹1-2 lakh to the premium even before you consider the EV component.
Fix: Match variants as closely as possible by features, not just by name.
10. Download the Free Excel Template {#download}
I’ve created a ready-to-use Excel template with all the formulas pre-built. You just need to fill in your numbers.
What’s included:
- Basic cost per km calculator
- Monthly/annual cost comparison
- 5-year total cost of ownership model
- Break-even calculator
- Subsidy tracker for different states
- Pre-filled with typical values (which you can change)
How to use it:
- Download the file
- Fill in the yellow cells with your specific numbers (distance, electricity rate, vehicle efficiency, etc.)
- Watch everything calculate automatically
- Save different versions for different scenarios
Download link: 👉 [Coming soon — email us at calculator@evcommunity.in with subject “EV Calculator Request” and we’ll send it to you]
Or use our online calculator: If you don’t want to mess with Excel, use our free online calculator at EVCommunity.in/ev-vs-petrol-comparison — does the same calculations instantly.
11. Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}
How do I calculate my EV running cost per km?
Divide your electricity rate (₹ per kWh) by your vehicle’s real-world efficiency (km per kWh). For example: ₹8/kWh ÷ 6 km/kWh = ₹1.33 per km. Use real-world efficiency from owner forums, not the ARAI rating, for accurate results.
What’s the formula for calculating EV savings vs petrol?
(Petrol price ÷ Mileage) − (Electricity rate ÷ EV efficiency) = Saving per km. Then multiply by your monthly distance to get monthly savings. Don’t forget to add maintenance cost differences (EVs save ₹8,000–12,000/year on maintenance).
How do I find my real electricity rate for EV charging?
Check your home electricity bill under “Energy Charges” or “Tariff Rate.” For most urban households, it’s ₹6–9 per kWh. Important: Use the slab rate where your extra EV charging consumption will fall, not your average rate. If you use 200 units/month normally and EV adds 100 units, use the rate for units 200-300.
Should I use ARAI range or real-world range for calculations?
Always use real-world range. ARAI tests are done in lab conditions and overestimate by 20-35%. Visit owner forums like EVCommunity.in or Team-BHP to find real-world efficiency numbers. For Tata Nexon EV, ARAI says 6.8 km/kWh but real-world city driving with AC gives 5.5-6.0 km/kWh.
How do I calculate break-even point for an EV?
Break-even (in months) = (EV price − Petrol price − Subsidies) ÷ Monthly savings (fuel + maintenance). Example: If price difference after subsidies is ₹3 lakh and you save ₹10,000/month, break-even is 30 months (2.5 years).
Do I need to factor in battery degradation when calculating?
Yes, for long-term ownership. EV batteries lose about 8-10% capacity over 4-5 years. This means your km/kWh efficiency will drop slightly. Factor in a 10% increase in running cost for years 4-5 of your calculation to be conservative.
How much does maintenance cost for an EV vs petrol car?
Petrol cars typically cost ₹12,000–18,000 per year in maintenance (oil changes, filters, spark plugs, clutch, etc.). EVs cost ₹4,000–7,000 per year (no engine servicing needed). That’s ₹8,000–12,000 saved annually, or ₹40,000–60,000 over 5 years.
What’s the best free EV calculator for India?
Use EVCommunity.in’s calculator (at the top of this page) for instant results, or download our free Excel template for detailed scenario planning. The online calculator includes real Indian pricing, state-specific subsidies, and real-world efficiency data.
How do state subsidies affect my EV cost calculation?
State subsidies stack on top of central FAME-II benefits. Delhi offers up to ₹1.5 lakh extra + road tax waiver (₹1.7 lakh saved). Maharashtra gives ₹25,000 + road tax exemption. Gujarat gives ₹1.5 lakh. Always include these in your “effective purchase price” calculation — they significantly shorten break-even time.
Final Thoughts: Knowledge is Money
Look, here’s the truth. When I started researching EVs two years ago, I was overwhelmed by all the conflicting information. Every website had different numbers. Every salesperson told me something different. The only way I found clarity was by learning to calculate it myself.
This guide gave you the tools to do that. You don’t have to trust marketing claims anymore. You can verify everything yourself with 10 minutes and a calculator.
The formulas are simple:
- EV cost per km = Electricity rate ÷ Efficiency
- Petrol cost per km = Fuel price ÷ Mileage
- Break-even = Price difference ÷ Monthly savings
The hard part is getting accurate inputs:
- Use real-world efficiency, not ARAI
- Use your actual electricity slab rate
- Include maintenance cost differences
- Factor in all available subsidies
- Plan for 5 years, not just Year 1
Do this properly and you’ll know — with certainty — whether an EV makes financial sense for you. Not for some hypothetical average user. For you, with your driving pattern, in your state.
And if you want to skip all the Excel work? Just use our free calculator at EVCommunity.in. We’ve done all the heavy lifting. You just enter your numbers and get your answer in 30 seconds.
Either way, you’ll be making a decision based on data, not guesswork. And that’s how you save money — or avoid losing it.
📅 Published: February 2026 | Updated monthly with latest fuel prices, electricity tariffs, and vehicle efficiency data.
💬 Have questions about calculating EV costs? Join our community forum at EVCommunity.in where 50,000+ Indian EV enthusiasts share real-world data, tips, and calculations.
📧 Want the Excel template? Email: calculator@evcommunity.in with subject “EV Calculator Request”
Note: Calculations are estimates. Actual costs may vary based on usage patterns and local rates.
