Electric vehicles cost more upfront but far less to run. Enter your driving habits and vehicle prices below to see the real 5-year cost difference between an EV and a petrol car in India.
How this calculator works
The tool adds each vehicle’s purchase price to its running cost over your chosen ownership period, then compares the totals. Running cost is calculated from your daily distance, fuel efficiency, and current fuel or electricity prices. Consequently, this shows the real total cost of ownership, not just the sticker price, which is where EVs usually pull ahead despite costing more upfront.
Why EVs usually win on running cost
Electricity is typically 4 to 5 times cheaper per kilometre than petrol in India, so higher daily driving distances favour EVs even more. However, EVs still cost more to buy, so the breakeven point depends on how much you drive. Furthermore, EV maintenance costs are generally lower since there is no engine oil, fewer moving parts, and less frequent servicing, though this calculator focuses on fuel/energy cost alone for simplicity.
Other factors to consider
Battery degradation, resale value, and charging infrastructure near you all affect the real-world decision beyond running cost. Additionally, state road tax exemptions and EV purchase incentives can further reduce the effective upfront price. Want to see how switching to an EV affects your overall emissions? Try our Carbon Footprint Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this EV vs petrol comparison?
It uses your actual inputs for vehicle price, mileage, fuel price, and electricity tariff, so the running-cost math is precise. However, it excludes maintenance, insurance, resale value, and battery degradation, which can shift the real-world numbers.
At what driving distance does an EV become cheaper?
It depends on the price gap between the two vehicles, but most EVs break even against a comparable petrol car between 30,000 and 60,000 km of driving. Therefore, higher daily mileage users typically see faster payback.
Does this include EV charging infrastructure cost?
No, the calculator assumes you charge at home using your existing electricity connection. If you rely mostly on paid public fast charging, your actual running cost will be higher than this estimate.
Are EVs cheaper to maintain than petrol cars?
Generally yes, since EVs have no engine oil, fewer moving parts, and no exhaust system, which reduces routine servicing costs. However, battery replacement after several years can be a significant expense not captured in this tool.
Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, the EV vs Petrol Cost Comparison Calculator is completely free, requires no sign-up, and runs directly in your browser with no data sent to a server.