EV vs Petrol Calculator: Calculate Your True Total Cost of Ownership in India
Buying a car in India in 2026 is no longer just about the showroom price. With petrol averaging ₹103–₹108 per litre across major cities — and electricity costing as little as ₹1.20–₹1.50 per kilometre for a home-charged EV — the gap between owning a petrol car and an electric vehicle has never been wider or more financially significant.
But fuel cost is only one part of the story. The real question is your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): the full financial picture across every rupee you spend from purchase day to resale — including fuel or electricity, annual insurance, maintenance, government subsidies, and the money you recover when you sell. This calculator computes all of it, year by year, and plots where the two vehicles cross over. That crossing point is your break-even.
What makes this different from other EV calculators?
Most online tools show you a static annual fuel saving. This calculator models your exact commute, your local electricity tariff, fuel price inflation compounded year by year, both vehicles’ insurance and maintenance costs, resale values, and any applicable government subsidy — then generates a personalised interactive chart and downloadable PDF report.
What makes this different from other EV calculators?TCO Calculator
Compare the true cost of an EV vs Petrol over time.
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Your Custom Variables
Cumulative Total Cost of Ownership
Purchase + running costs (fuel inflation) + insurance − resale value
Why Total Cost of Ownership Is the Only Number That Matters
The showroom price is the number car dealers want you to focus on. TCO is the number your bank account experiences. For EVs and petrol cars, these two figures tell completely opposite stories.
Consider a mid-range comparison over seven years for a driver covering 60 km daily in Chennai:
| Cost Component | Petrol Car (₹20.5L) | Electric Vehicle (₹24L net) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront purchase cost | ₹20,50,000 | ₹23,05,000 |
| Govt subsidy applied | — | –₹95,000 |
| 7-year fuel / electricity | ₹9,87,000 * | ₹1,78,500 |
| 7-year insurance | ₹1,20,400 | ₹1,57,500 |
| 7-year maintenance | ₹1,57,500 | ₹22,500 |
| Resale value (deducted) | –₹9,00,000 | –₹12,00,000 |
| Total 7-year TCO | ₹24,14,900 | ₹14,63,500 |
| Net saving with EV | — | ₹9,51,400 |
* Fuel cost uses ₹182/litre start price (includes applicable taxes), 49 km/l ARAI-adjusted mileage, 6% annual fuel inflation compounded over 7 years.
These are not manufacturer estimates — they are calculated using the same formula engine that powers this tool. Your result will differ based on your city, vehicle choice, and driving pattern, which is exactly why this calculator exists.
How to Use This EV TCO Calculator: A Complete Guide
The calculator has two input panels — one for your driving habits, one for each vehicle — and produces results instantly as you move the sliders. Here is what each input means and how to find the right number for your situation.
Driving Habits & Ownership Period
- Daily commute (km/day): Enter your average round-trip distance on a typical workday. The annual distance compounds every running cost — the higher your commute, the faster an EV pays off.
- Ownership period (years): How long you plan to keep the vehicle, from 1 to 20 years. Seven to ten years is realistic for most Indian car buyers and tends to show the full savings picture for EV owners.
Petrol Car Inputs
- Upfront price: Use the on-road price or the ex-showroom price you are comparing. For a fair comparison, use the same variant tier for both vehicles.
- Fuel price per litre: Enter your city’s current petrol pump price. Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore typically differ by ₹3–₹8 per litre due to state taxes.
- Annual fuel inflation (%): India’s petrol price has risen at a compound annual rate of 6–8% over the past decade. The default is 6%. Change this based on your own expectation. At 8% inflation, ₹103/litre petrol becomes ₹148/litre by year 5 — a number that dramatically accelerates your EV break-even.
- Real-world mileage (km/L): Use the fuel economy you actually get in mixed driving, not the ARAI certified figure. Most petrol sedans achieve 70–80% of ARAI rating in real-world Indian traffic conditions.
- Annual insurance: Enter your most recent comprehensive insurance premium. A ₹15–₹20 lakh petrol car typically costs ₹16,000–₹25,000 per year in comprehensive cover; this reduces with NCB over time.
- Annual maintenance: Include service costs: oil change (every 5,000–10,000 km), filters, pads, and general servicing. For a mid-range sedan, spending around ₹12,000–₹22,000 per year.
- Estimated resale value: The amount of money you think the car will be worth when you sell it. Don’t use percentages; use real-money estimates from resale sites.
Electric Vehicle Inputs
- Upfront price: Use the ex-showroom or on-road price of the EV you want to compare.
- Government subsidy: Enter the total amount of government money that can be used to buy something, such as a central scheme, a state incentive, or OEM cashback. Check out the subsidies section below for the most up-to-date amounts.
- Battery capacity (kWh): Found in the vehicle spec sheet. Most Indian electric vehicles (EVs) have batteries that hold between 26 kWh (for entry-level models) and 79 kWh (for premium SUVs).
- Real-world range (km): Use the range that real owners have reported in Indian conditions, not the ARAI number. Most electric vehicles (EVs) can go 70–80% of their rated range in mixed city driving with the AC on.
- Electricity tariff (₹/kWh): Your home charging unit rate. This varies significantly by state and consumption slab — see the tariff table below. Enter your actual DISCOM rate, not a national average.
- Annual insurance: EV comprehensive insurance runs 8–15% higher than equivalent petrol cars, primarily due to battery replacement risk. Budget ₹20,000–₹35,000 for a mid-range EV.
- Annual maintenance: EVs have no engine oil, spark plugs, timing belt, or exhaust system. Typical annual cost covers tyre rotation, brake fluid, and periodic software updates: ₹3,000–₹6,000 per year.
- Estimated resale value: As battery warranties grow to 8 years and buyer confidence rises, resale values for popular EV models in India are going up. After five years, most OEM models keep about 50–55% of their value.
Understanding Your Results: Reading the Dashboard and Chart
Once you enter your details, the results panel shows nine key financial metrics, a year-by-year TCO comparison chart, and a break-even timeline. Here is how to read each output:
| Metric | What It Tells You |
|---|---|
| Avg Annual Fuel Cost (Petrol) | Average yearly fuel spend across your ownership window, accounting for price inflation. This is always higher than year-1 cost. |
| Avg Annual Electricity Cost (EV) | Average yearly charging cost. This stays constant because electricity tariffs are assumed stable (unlike petrol, which inflates). |
| Avg Annual Running Savings | The mean annual advantage of the EV on running costs alone, excluding purchase price difference. |
| Effective Purchase Cost (Petrol / EV) | On-road price before subsidies (Petrol) and after all applicable subsidies (EV). This is the real cash outlay on day one. |
| Difference in Upfront Cost | The premium you pay for the EV over the petrol car. This is the ‘loan’ the EV has to pay back through running savings. |
| Total Maintenance Savings | Cumulative difference in maintenance spend over your full ownership period. Typically ₹80,000–₹1.5 lakh in the EV’s favour over 7 years. |
| Total Net Savings | The definitive figure: how much cheaper (or more expensive) the EV is over your full ownership window when every cost is included. |
| Estimated Break-even Point | The year and month when the EV’s cumulative TCO line crosses below the petrol car’s line on the chart. After this point, every kilometre you drive saves money. |
| Year-by-Year Chart | Shows the running total of all costs for both vehicles. The green shaded zone shows where the EV is ahead. The dashed green line marks the break-even crossing. |
Government Subsidies and Incentives in India (2026) — What to Enter
India’s EV subsidy landscape is active and layered. The total benefit available to a private car buyer can range from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh depending on state, vehicle category, and applicable scheme. Enter the combined applicable figure in the ‘Govt Subsidy’ field.
| Scheme / Incentive | Applicable To | Benefit Range (Enter This Amount) |
|---|---|---|
| PM E-DRIVE Scheme (2024–26) | Electric 2Ws, 3Ws, buses, and trucks — check MHI portal for latest approved car list | ₹5,000–₹50,000 per vehicle via Aadhaar-linked e-voucher (ongoing allocation) |
| Delhi EV Policy 2.0 | All private EV categories registered in Delhi | Purchase incentive up to ₹1,50,000 + road tax exemption (₹1.3L value) |
| Maharashtra EV Policy | Private cars and two-wheelers | ₹25,000 (2Ws) to ₹1,50,000 (4Ws) via Viability Gap Funding |
| Tamil Nadu EV Policy | Private and commercial EVs | ₹10,000–₹1,00,000 depending on vehicle category; TANGEDCO preferential tariff |
| Gujarat EV Policy | Electric 2Ws, 3Ws, and 4Ws | ₹10,000–₹1,50,000; road tax and registration fee waiver |
| Karnataka EV Policy | New EV registrations | ₹5,000–₹50,000 subsidy; dedicated BESCOM EV tariff at ₹5–₹6/kWh |
| Section 80EEB Income Tax | Individual buyers who finance through a loan | Deduction up to ₹1,50,000 on loan interest — reduce net EV cost accordingly |
| GST reduction (built-in) | All EVs vs petrol cars | 5% GST on EVs vs 28%+ cess on petrol cars — already reflected in lower ex-showroom price |
Add together all schemes applicable to your state and vehicle. For example, a Maharashtra resident buying a qualifying electric car could receive central PM E-DRIVE benefit + Maharashtra state subsidy + Section 80EEB deduction — enter the sum of all three in the calculator’s ‘Govt Subsidy’ field.
How to use this table:State-Wise Home Electricity Tariff Guide for the EV Cost Calculator
Your electricity unit rate is the biggest variable most EV cost tools get wrong — they use a national average that may be 30–40% above or below your actual rate. The table below shows indicative domestic slab rates. Always verify your exact rate on your monthly electricity bill before entering it.
| State / DISCOM | Approx. Rate (₹/kWh) | Notes | Enter in Calculator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu (TANGEDCO) | ₹6.00–₹7.50 | Lower domestic slabs for ≤100 units/month | ₹6.50 (typical) |
| Maharashtra (MSEDCL) | ₹6.49–₹9.90 | Varies by consumer category and monthly units consumed | ₹7.50–₹8.00 |
| Delhi (BRPL/BYPL/TPDDL) | ₹3.00–₹8.00 | Subsidised first 200 units; dedicated EV tariff ₹4.50/kWh | ₹4.50 (EV rate) |
| Karnataka (BESCOM) | ₹5.00–₹7.45 | KERC order provides dedicated EV charging tariff | ₹5.50–₹6.00 |
| Gujarat (PGVCL/DGVCL) | ₹3.45–₹6.75 | Agricultural and domestic rates differ significantly | ₹5.00–₹6.00 |
| Rajasthan (JVVNL/JDVVNL) | ₹4.75–₹7.30 | BPL households at lower flat rate | ₹6.00 |
| Uttar Pradesh (UPPCL) | ₹5.50–₹8.00 | Rural and urban rates vary; check local DISCOM | ₹6.50 |
| Punjab (PSPCL) | ₹2.50–₹6.90 | Heavily subsidised agricultural rate; domestic higher | ₹5.50 |
| Public DC Fast Charger | ₹15–₹25 | 2–4× home rate; avoid for daily charging cost modelling | Use home rate for TCO |
EV vs Petrol Maintenance Costs in India: The Numbers Behind the Inputs
Maintenance is the cost that most car buyers underestimate over a long ownership period — and one of the largest factors in EV savings that static calculators miss entirely. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for seven years of typical Indian ownership:
| Maintenance Item | Petrol Car (7-year estimate) | Electric Vehicle (7-year estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil changes | ₹42,000–₹84,000 | Not applicable — no engine |
| Air & fuel filters | ₹8,000–₹15,000 | Cabin air filter only: ₹2,000–₹4,000 |
| Spark plugs & HT leads | ₹5,000–₹12,000 | Not applicable |
| Brake pads & rotors | ₹8,000–₹20,000 | ₹3,000–₹8,000 (regenerative braking extends life 60–70%) |
| Timing belt / chain | ₹8,000–₹25,000 | Not applicable |
| Coolant flush | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | Thermal management fluid: ₹1,000–₹2,000 |
| Clutch / transmission | ₹8,000–₹40,000 | Not applicable (single-speed electric drive) |
| Battery health check | Not applicable | Included in standard OEM service: ₹0 extra |
| Total 7-year estimate | ₹82,000–₹2,04,000 | ₹6,000–₹14,000 |
This is why the ‘Annual Maintenance’ input matters. A petrol owner spending ₹18,000/year on servicing and an EV owner spending ₹4,000/year generates a ₹98,000 gap over seven years before any fuel cost is considered.
Understanding the EV Break-Even Point: The Chart Explained
The break-even point is the moment when the cumulative total cost of the EV — including its higher purchase price — falls below the cumulative total cost of the equivalent petrol car. Before this point, you’re still “paying back” the upfront premium. After it, every kilometre driven generates net financial advantage.
What Moves the Break-Even Earlier
- Higher daily commute: The single most powerful factor. A 100 km/day commuter can break even 3–4 years earlier than a 20 km/day commuter buying identical vehicles.
- Higher petrol price: For every ₹10/litre increase in petrol price, the annual fuel saving grows by approximately ₹7,000–₹12,000 for a 50 km/day driver (varies by mileage).
- Higher fuel inflation rate: A 9% annual fuel inflation vs 5% can shift break-even by 12–18 months over a 7-year window.
- Lower electricity tariff: Delhi residents using the dedicated EV tariff of ₹4.50/kWh pay roughly 40% less for charging than someone in a high-tariff state at ₹7.50/kWh — a difference that directly reduces break-even time.
- Higher government subsidy: Every ₹1 lakh in subsidy reduces the upfront premium by ₹1 lakh, pulling break-even forward proportionally.
What Pushes the Break-Even Later
- Low daily distance: Under 20 km/day, the annual fuel saving may be insufficient to recover the premium within a 10-year ownership window for many vehicle pairs.
- Large upfront price gap: If the EV costs ₹8–10 lakh more than the petrol equivalent before subsidies, the savings take longer to recover.
- Public fast-charging dependency: At ₹18–₹25/kWh for public DC charging, the per-km cost is ₹2–₹4 — still cheaper than petrol but significantly worse than home charging. If you cannot charge at home or at your office, enter a blended tariff (e.g., 70% home rate + 30% public rate).
EV Resale Value in India 2026: How to Enter a Realistic Figure
Resale value is the variable that has historically worked against EVs in India and that many calculators handle poorly — either ignoring it or using a generic percentage. The 2026 picture is more nuanced and, for buyers of established OEM models, increasingly favorable.
| Vehicle Category | Approx. Resale (5 years) | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Mainstream EV (established OEM) | 48–55% of ex-showroom | 8-year battery warranty, strong brand service network |
| Premium EV (₹30L+) | 45–52% of ex-showroom | Improving but still below equivalent petrol premium SUVs |
| Discontinued/older EV model | 30–40% of ex-showroom | No battery warranty, limited spares, buyer hesitation |
| Mainstream petrol hatchback / sedan | 55–65% of ex-showroom | Established resale market, universal service access |
| Mid-range petrol SUV (₹15–25L) | 52–60% of ex-showroom | High demand in used market; good liquidity |
For the most accurate resale estimate, check current listings for your specific EV model on major Indian used-car platforms — then enter that realistic market value in the calculator rather than a formulaic percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying an EV cheaper than petrol in India in 2026?
What is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and why does it matter for EVs?
How does fuel inflation change my EV break-even calculation?
What electricity tariff should I enter in the EV cost calculator?
Which government subsidy should I enter for an EV purchase in India?
How accurate is the EV electricity cost calculation?
Can I use this calculator for electric two-wheelers or three-wheelers?
What is a realistic break-even point for an EV in India?
How do I save and share my EV cost calculation results?
Does the calculator include home charger installation cost?
How does EV insurance cost compare to petrol car insurance in India?
What happens to the EV’s battery after 8 years?
