EV vs Petrol Calculator: Complete Guide 2025
The rising fuel prices and the Indian government’s strong push towards electric vehicles (EVs) have made car buyers ask one big question: “Should I buy an EV or stick to a petrol car?” To answer this, an EV vs Petrol Calculator helps you compare the running cost, maintenance, and long-term savings between electric and petrol vehicles.
This guide will explain everything in simple words—how the calculator works, what factors matter, and a detailed cost comparison with real examples.
What Is an EV vs Petrol Calculator?
An EV vs Petrol Calculator is an online tool that shows the difference in running cost between electric vehicles and petrol cars.
- It takes details like fuel price, electricity cost, mileage, distance travelled, and initial car price.
- It then compares the per km cost, yearly expenses, and lifetime savings.
- Some calculators even include battery replacement costs and government subsidies for EVs.
This calculator is especially useful for people in India in 2025, where petrol is above ₹100/litre in many states, and EV charging cost is between ₹6–₹10 per unit.
Why Do You Need an EV vs Petrol Calculator?
- Petrol price hike – Petrol costs ₹100–₹110/litre in most Indian cities.
- EV charging is cheaper – Charging at home costs ₹7–₹8 per kWh on average.
- Government subsidies – EV buyers get benefits under FAME-II subsidy and state-level incentives.
- Maintenance difference – EVs have fewer moving parts, so maintenance is cheaper.
- Long-term savings – Over 5–8 years, an EV can save lakhs compared to a petrol car.
With so many factors, manual calculation is difficult. That’s why an EV vs Petrol Calculator gives clarity with just a few inputs.
How Does an EV vs Petrol Calculator Work?
The calculator generally uses this formula:
For Petrol Car
- Running cost per km = Petrol price ÷ Mileage (km per litre)
- Yearly fuel cost = Running cost per km × Total yearly km driven
For Electric Vehicle
- Running cost per km = (Battery capacity × Electricity cost) ÷ Range
- Yearly charging cost = Running cost per km × Total yearly km driven
Inputs Required in EV vs Petrol Calculator
To get an accurate comparison, you need to enter:
- Petrol price in your city (₹/litre)
- Mileage of your petrol car (km/litre)
- Electricity cost (₹/unit or kWh)
- Battery capacity of EV (kWh)
- Range of EV per charge (km)
- Distance you drive per month/year
- Car price (EV vs Petrol)
Example Calculation: Tata Nexon EV vs Tata Nexon Petrol (2025)
Let’s take a real-world example: Tata Nexon EV vs Tata Nexon Petrol (manual).
| Factor | Tata Nexon Petrol | Tata Nexon EV |
|---|---|---|
| Car Price | ₹9.00 lakh | ₹14.50 lakh |
| Mileage/Range | 17 km/l | 400 km per charge |
| Fuel/Electricity Price | ₹105/litre | ₹8/unit |
| Tank/Battery | 44 litres | 40.5 kWh |
| Cost per km | ₹6.18/km | ₹0.81/km |
| Running Cost for 1,000 km | ₹6,180 | ₹810 |
| Annual Cost (12,000 km) | ₹74,160 | ₹9,720 |
| 5-Year Fuel/Charging Cost | ₹3.7 lakh | ₹48,600 |
Key Insight
- EV running cost is almost 7 times cheaper than petrol.
- Even though EV purchase price is higher, the savings in 5 years (around ₹3.2 lakh) balance the cost difference.
EV vs Petrol: Cost Comparison in 2025
Here is a general comparison chart (average values in India):
| Aspect | Petrol Car | Electric Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/Energy Cost per km | ₹6–₹8 | ₹0.8–₹1.2 |
| Yearly Running Cost (12,000 km) | ₹70,000–₹90,000 | ₹10,000–₹15,000 |
| Maintenance (per year) | ₹15,000–₹20,000 | ₹5,000–₹8,000 |
| Battery Replacement | NA | ₹4–₹5 lakh (after 7–8 years, if required) |
| Subsidy | No | Yes (FAME-II + state subsidy) |
| Resale Value | Stable | Growing but uncertain |
| Pollution | High | Zero tailpipe emission |
Advantages of Using an EV vs Petrol Calculator
- Quick decision making – No need for manual math.
- Location-based accuracy – Petrol and electricity prices vary city to city.
- Future planning – Helps calculate long-term ownership cost.
- Eco-friendly choice – Shows how much pollution you avoid.
- Financial clarity – Understand if higher EV price is worth it.
Real-World Use Cases
-
Daily Office Commuter
- Drives 50 km/day in Delhi.
- Petrol cost ~₹15,000/month vs EV charging ~₹2,000/month.
- Saves ~₹1.5 lakh/year.
-
Cab Drivers (Ola, Uber, Rapido)
- Running is 150 km/day.
- Petrol cost ~₹27,000/month vs EV ~₹4,000/month.
- Saves ~₹2.7 lakh/year.
-
Family Weekend Use
- 500 km/month.
- Petrol ~₹3,000/month vs EV ~₹500/month.
- Saves ~₹30,000/year.
Things an EV vs Petrol Calculator Cannot Predict
- Resale value of EVs in future.
- Battery degradation depending on usage.
- Government policies which may change subsidies.
- Charging infrastructure availability in your area.
Future of EVs in India 2025–2030
- By 2030, India targets 30% EV adoption.
- Petrol price expected to remain high.
- EV charging stations increasing rapidly.
- Battery technology improving (faster charging, longer life).
This means the EV vs Petrol calculator will become even more useful in future purchase decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much cheaper is EV than petrol per km?
On average, EV costs ₹1/km while petrol costs ₹6–₹8/km. That’s 6–7 times cheaper.
2. How many units of electricity does an EV use per 100 km?
Most EVs consume 15–20 units per 100 km. At ₹8/unit, cost is about ₹120–₹160.
3. Is maintenance cheaper for EVs?
Yes, EVs have fewer moving parts, no engine oil, and less wear & tear. Maintenance is 40–60% cheaper.
4. How long do EV batteries last in India?
Around 8–10 years or 1.5–2 lakh km. After that, efficiency reduces.
5. Can EVs be charged at home?
Yes, you can charge at home with a normal 15A socket or a dedicated wall charger.
Conclusion
An EV vs Petrol Calculator is the simplest way to decide whether you should buy an electric car or stick to petrol in 2025.
- If you drive more than 1,000 km/month, EVs give massive savings.
- If your usage is very low, petrol cars may still be cost-friendly in the short term.
- But in the long run, EVs are financially and environmentally better.
By comparing real numbers with an EV vs Petrol Calculator, you can make an informed decision and possibly save lakhs of rupees over 5–8 years.
