EV vs Petrol Calculator
Compare the total cost of an electric and a petrol car, and find the year the EV pays back its higher price.
Quick answer
An EV versus petrol comparison totals each car's cost over the years owned: purchase price less incentive, plus yearly energy, maintenance and insurance, minus resale value. The difference between totals is the saving.
EV vs Petrol Calculator
Petrol car
Percent of purchase price.
Electric car
Percent of purchase price.
Petrol: Total Cost
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EV: Total Cost
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Petrol: Cost per km
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EV: Cost per km
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EV Saves over the Period
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Break-even
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Cumulative Cost by Year
| Year | Petrol (₹) | EV (₹) | EV minus petrol (₹) |
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Assumptions & method
- Yearly running cost = distance × energy use ÷ 100 × energy price + maintenance + insurance. All stay constant, with no inflation.
- Cumulative cash cost in year t = purchase price − incentive + running cost × t. The chart and table use this cash view and ignore resale until the end.
- Total cost = purchase price − incentive + running cost × years − resale value, where resale value = purchase price × resale %.
- Cost per km = total cost ÷ (distance per year × years).
- Break-even (years) = extra upfront cost of the EV after incentives ÷ (petrol running cost − EV running cost per year).
- Charger installation, battery replacement, registration, parking and loan interest are not included unless you add them to a cost field.
Results are estimates based on the figures you enter. They are not guarantees and not financial advice.
Comparing an EV with a petrol car
Electric cars often cost more to buy but less to run. Electricity per kilometre is usually cheaper than fuel, and there are fewer parts to service. The question is whether the running savings add up to more than the higher price, and how soon. This calculator compares the two cars on purchase price after incentives, energy, maintenance, insurance and resale value, for the distance and the years you choose. It also plots the cumulative cash cost of each car, so you can see where the lines cross, which is the break-even point. Your own prices and driving will decide the result.