Buying a new car is a big decision in life, but nowadays this decision does not depend only on design or features. The skyrocketing prices of petrol and diesel have forced people to turn to other options. In such a situation, EVs have emerged as a much better option. If you are planning to buy a car in the coming days and are confused about which would be better to choose between petrol or EV car, then this article is useful for you. We have taken Nexon ICE and Nexon EV as examples.
At present, the average price of petrol has reached ₹ 94.50 to ₹ 95.50 per liter, while the cost of EV charging at home is only ₹ 1 per km. Could 5-year running costs prove to be a game-changer for an average Indian buyer who drives 15,000 km every year? Amidst the government EV policy, extension of FAME-II and falling battery prices, the discussion on EV is in full swing, but is it really cheaper? Or will the petrol car prove to be old reliable? In this article we will learn about the difference between these two.
Understand mathematics from Nexon ICE and Nexon EV
We have taken Nexon ICE and Nexon EV as examples. This includes Tata Nexon Petrol (XZ+ variant) and Nexon EV (Empowered Plus). The on-road price of petrol Nexon will be around ₹ 13-14 lakh, while the price of Nexon EV will go up to ₹ 17-18.5 lakh. This means that there is going to be an additional expenditure of ₹ 4-5 lakh initially on EV, but this is where the real story begins. Let us understand the advantages and disadvantages between the two.
Fuel/charging costs
Suppose you run 15,000 km annually, then in 5 years the total running will be 75,000 km. Real-world mileage of the petrol Nexon is assumed to be an average of 15 km/litre (city-highway mix). In this way, the total petrol consumption will be 5,000 liters. At ₹ 95/litre, you will buy fuel worth ₹ 4,75,000 in 5 years.
On the other hand, the real-world efficiency of the Nexon EV is 7 km/unit (AC charging at home). In this way, if it travels 75 thousand kilometers in 5 years, it will spend a total of 10,714 units. Domestic tariff in UP averages ₹6-8/unit. Round figures ask for ₹7/unit. In this way, the total expenditure in 5 years will be only around Rs 75 thousand. If we compare both, there will be savings of around Rs 3-3.30 lakh in 5 years.
maintenance cost
In a petrol car, parts like engine oil, filter, timing belt, spark plug and clutch have to be changed. Apart from this, it is also necessary to get service done every 10,000 km. In this way, the total maintenance in 5 years will be between ₹ 60,000-75,000.
At the same time, there is no engine in EV. You only have to spend a little on brake pads, tires and software updates. Battery warranty is 8 years/1.6 lakh km. Total maintenance is only between ₹15,000-25,000. In this way, there is a saving of Rs 40-50 thousand on the maintenance and service front also.
insurance and tax
Due to the higher ex-showroom price of EV, annual insurance is ₹ 10-15% costlier (1st year ₹ 80,000 vs petrol ₹ 50,000). Total insurance for EV in 5 years will be ₹3-3.5 lakh, for petrol ₹2.5-2.8 lakh. However, in many states EVs are getting 50-100% exemption in road tax. The registration charge on EV is also less in UP. Overall this difference remains ₹ 50,000-70,000.
Total 5 Year Ownership Cost (75,000 km)
- Petrol Nexon: Purchase ₹13.5 lakh + Fuel ₹4.75 lakh + Maintenance ₹65,000 + Insurance ₹2.7 lakh. In this way the figure reaches around ₹22 lakh.
- Nexon EV: Purchase ₹ 18 lakh + Charging ₹ 75,000 + Maintenance ₹ 20,000 + Insurance ₹ 3.2 lakh. Its total figure also reaches around ₹ 22 lakh.
The numbers of both appear to be almost equal, but for those who drive more than 15,000 km/year, the EV breaks even in 3-4 years. At 20,000 km/year, EV becomes cheaper by ₹ 2-2.5 lakh in 5 years. If you drive a taxi/cab, the savings will be even higher.
Resale value and other factors
Resale of petrol cars is considered better, but battery technology of EV is getting perfected. In 2026, the resale value of Nexon EV after 3 years is expected to be 55-60% and petrol can also get resale value around 60-65%.
Which one makes sense to buy?
If you drive less than 40-50 km daily and the budget is tight, then a petrol car is still safe. If you have 12,000+ km/year, home charging facility and plan to keep it for 5+ years, then EV will be a smart choice. By buying an EV you will also be able to save 10 tonnes of CO2 in 5 years. With time, charging infrastructure will also improve, which will make driving EVs much better.