EV vs Petrol Fuel Cost & Carbon Calculator

Compare monthly running costs, fuel savings, and CO2 carbon reduction between EV and Petrol vehicles.

Overview

Compares monthly fuel expenditures, operating cost per kilometer, maintenance savings, and CO2 carbon reduction between Electric Vehicles (EV) and Petrol cars.

Formula & Calculation Method

Cost per km (EV) = (Battery Capacity kWh × Electricity Rate) / (Range km) | Cost per km (Petrol) = Petrol Price / Mileage km/L

Models total cost of ownership (TCO) across purchase price, annual running costs, home charging tariffs, and battery degradation.

Worked Example: 1,500 km Monthly Driving (Tata Nexon EV vs Petrol)

Inputs: Monthly Drive = 1,500 km | Petrol Price = ₹102/L | Petrol Mileage = 14 km/L | EV Tariff = ₹8/unit | EV Efficiency = 7.5 km/kWh

  • Petrol running cost: (1,500 / 14) × ₹102 = 107.1 L × ₹102 = ₹10,928 per month (₹7.29/km)
  • EV running cost: (1,500 / 7.5) × ₹8 = 200 kWh × ₹8 = ₹1,600 per month (₹1.07/km)
  • Monthly fuel savings = ₹10,928 - ₹1,600 = ₹9,328 per month
  • Annual fuel savings = ₹9,328 × 12 = ₹1,11,936 per year

Summary: Petrol Cost = ₹7.29/km | EV Cost = ₹1.07/km | Monthly Savings = ₹9,328 | Annual Savings = ₹1.12 Lakhs

Common Use Cases

  • Car Buying Decision: Calculate how many kilometers of driving are needed for EV fuel savings to offset higher upfront EV purchase price.
  • Commercial Fleet Planning: Transition commercial delivery fleets and taxi operations to electric powertrains.
  • Carbon Footprint Auditing: Quantify annual tailpipe CO2 greenhouse gas emissions avoided by switching to electric.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost per kilometer to drive an electric car in India?

Home charging typically costs ₹1.00 to ₹1.30 per kilometer, compared to ₹6.50 to ₹8.50 per kilometer for a petrol car.

How long does an EV battery last?

Modern EV lithium-ion batteries are warranted for 8 years or 1,60,000 km, retaining 75% to 80% of original capacity.

How many kilometers per year make an EV financially worth it?

If you drive more than 10,000 to 12,000 km per year, fuel savings will comfortably recover the higher initial EV purchase premium within 3 to 4 years.

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