🌱 Introduction: Why This Matters
Electric Vehicles (EVs) in India are no longer a futuristic concept—they’re a practical choice for daily commuting and family travel. By 2025, thanks to better batteries, wider charging networks, and falling prices, EVs are challenging petrol cars not only on eco‑friendliness but on your wallet too.
But are EVs really cheaper to “fuel” than petrol or diesel cars?
And what do real‑world charging costs look like when you charge at home, at a mall, or on highways?
In this article, we’ll break down:
✅ Real‑world EV charging costs (home vs public)
✅ Petrol vs EV cost per km
✅ Real‑world case studies (popular EVs in India)
✅ Tips to lower your EV charging bill
With 4 detailed tables, this guide will help you decide if switching to an EV really saves you money in 2025.
🔋 How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?
Home charging remains the cheapest way to “fuel” your EV.
- Most Indian homes pay ₹6–8 per kWh (state electricity rates vary).
- EVs use ~12–18 kWh per 100 km (real‑world efficiency).
Let’s calculate an average real‑world cost.
| Example EV | Battery Size (kWh) | Claimed Range (km) | Real‑World Range (km) | Cost per kWh (home) | Cost per km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Nexon EV MR | 30 kWh | 325 | ~250 | ₹7 | ~₹0.84 |
| Tata Curvv EV (2025) | ~50 kWh | 500 | ~400 | ₹7 | ~₹0.88 |
| Hyundai Creta EV | ~60 kWh | 450 | ~380 | ₹7 | ~₹1.10 |
| MG ZS EV | ~50 kWh | 461 | ~380 | ₹7 | ~₹0.92 |
Key takeaway:
✅ Even large SUVs cost under ₹1–1.2 per km when you charge at home.
⚡ Public Fast Charging – Convenient but Costlier
While public DC fast chargers save time, they cost more:
- ₹18–25 per kWh (depending on operator & city)
- Fast charging generates heat → reduces battery efficiency slightly (~5–10%)
| EV | Battery | Real‑World Range | kWh per 100 km | DC Charging Rate | Cost per km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexon EV MR | 30 kWh | ~250 km | ~12 kWh | ₹20 | ~₹2.40 |
| Curvv EV | ~50 kWh | ~400 km | ~12.5 kWh | ₹20 | ~₹2.50 |
| Hyundai Creta EV | ~60 kWh | ~380 km | ~15.7 kWh | ₹20 | ~₹3.14 |
| MG ZS EV | ~50 kWh | ~380 km | ~13.2 kWh | ₹20 | ~₹2.64 |
Key takeaway:
✅ Public charging is ~2–3x more expensive than home charging, but still cheaper than petrol.
🛣️ Petrol SUVs: Real‑World Fuel Cost
In real Indian conditions:
- Compact SUVs average ~13–15 km/l.
- Petrol in 2025 likely to be ₹110–120 per litre.
| Petrol SUV | Real‑World Mileage | Petrol Price | Cost per km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Nexon Petrol | ~14 km/l | ₹115 | ~₹8.21 |
| Hyundai Creta Petrol | ~13 km/l | ₹115 | ~₹8.84 |
| Maruti Grand Vitara | ~14.5 km/l | ₹115 | ~₹7.93 |
| MG Astor | ~12 km/l | ₹115 | ~₹9.58 |
📊 Table 1: EV vs Petrol – Cost per km
| Vehicle | Fuel Type | Cost per km (home) | Cost per km (DC) | Cost per km (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Nexon | EV | ₹0.84 | ₹2.40 | ₹8.21 |
| Tata Curvv EV | EV | ₹0.88 | ₹2.50 | NA |
| Hyundai Creta | EV | ₹1.10 | ₹3.14 | ₹8.84 |
| MG ZS EV | EV | ₹0.92 | ₹2.64 | ₹9.58 |
🔧 Real‑World Annual Running Cost
Assuming ~12,000 km/year:
| Vehicle | Home Charging Annual Cost | Public Charging Annual Cost | Petrol Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexon EV | ~₹10,080 | ~₹28,800 | ~₹98,520 |
| Curvv EV | ~₹10,560 | ~₹30,000 | NA |
| Creta EV | ~₹13,200 | ~₹37,680 | ~₹1,06,080 |
Even when you only use public DC charging, EVs save 50–60% over petrol SUVs.
🧰 Table 2: Total Cost of Ownership (5 years)
Includes running cost + estimated service + battery warranty (excluding battery replacement):
| Vehicle | Type | 5‑yr Running Cost (home) | Service & Parts | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexon EV | EV | ₹50,400 | ~₹20,000 | ₹70,400 |
| Nexon Petrol | Petrol | ₹4,92,600 | ~₹40,000 | ₹5,32,600 |
| Creta EV | EV | ₹66,000 | ~₹25,000 | ₹91,000 |
| Creta Petrol | Petrol | ₹5,30,400 | ~₹45,000 | ₹5,75,400 |
✅ EVs save ~₹4–5 lakh over 5 years.
🔋 Battery Degradation – Hidden Cost?
- Modern EV batteries degrade ~2–3%/year.
- Even after 8 years, usable capacity usually >80%.
- Most brands (Tata, Hyundai, MG) offer 8‑year/1.6 lakh km battery warranty.
So battery replacement is unlikely in the first 7–8 years.
📱 Table 3: Charging Time & Convenience
| Charger Type | Power | Typical Install Cost | Time (0–80%) | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3‑pin plug | 2.5 kW | Low | 18–24 hr | Emergency |
| AC Wallbox | 7.2 kW | ₹50,000–80,000 | 6–8 hr | Daily home |
| DC Fast Charger | 50–150 kW | Public infra | 30–60 min | Highway trips |
🌍 City vs Highway – Real‑World Costs
City driving:
- Lower speeds → higher efficiency.
- Nexon EV: 10–11 kWh/100 km → ~₹0.70/km (home).
Highway:
- Faster speeds → more drag → ~15–17 kWh/100 km.
- Cost per km may rise to ~₹1–1.3/km (home).
Still much cheaper than ₹8–9/km in petrol.
🔌 Night Tariffs & Smart Charging
Some DISCOMs offer night EV tariff (₹4–5/kWh).
With this, running cost drops to ~₹0.50–0.70/km.
Tip: Use timer to charge after midnight when grid demand is low.
📊 Table 4: Best‑Case vs Worst‑Case Cost per km
| Condition | Best | Typical | Worst |
|–|–|–|
| Home charging (night tariff) | ₹0.50 | ₹0.80–1 | ₹1.2 |
| Public DC charging | ₹2 | ₹2.5 | ₹3+ |
| Petrol | ₹7 | ₹8 | ₹10+ |
🧩 Other Hidden Savings
✅ Lower maintenance:
- No oil, fewer filters.
- Brake pads last longer (regen braking).
✅ Government tax benefits:
- Lower road tax in some states.
- Section 80EEB (loan interest deduction).
✅ Free / discounted parking in some malls & offices.
🔮 What About 2025 Battery Prices?
- Global battery cost expected: <$100/kWh.
- Local assembly cuts GST from 28% → 5%.
- EV prices may fall ~10–15% vs 2023.
EVs become cheaper, and savings vs petrol grow.
⚡ Real‑World Tips to Save Charging Cost
✅ Install home wallbox.
✅ Charge during night tariff.
✅ Use regen mode in traffic.
✅ Avoid 100% fast charging daily (reduces degradation).
✅ Plan trips to avoid paid DC chargers when not needed.
💡 Myth Busting
“EV charging is always slow.”
With a wallbox, daily top‑ups are overnight; DC charging adds 100–150 km range in 15–20 min.
“EV batteries need replacement every 5 years.”
False. Most keep >80% capacity even after 8 years.
✅ Conclusion: Is EV Charging Cheaper Than Petrol?
✔ Yes – by a big margin:
- Home charging: ~₹0.8–1/km → ~₹10,000–12,000/year.
- Public DC: ~₹2–3/km → still cheaper than ₹8–10/km in petrol.
Over 5 years & 60,000 km:
- Save ₹3–5 lakh in running cost.
- Lower maintenance adds another ₹30,000–50,000.
EVs in 2025 aren’t just about green driving—they really save your money.
📢 Final thoughts
If you:
- Have parking at home
- Drive ~10,000–15,000 km/year
- Plan to keep your car 5+ years
… switching to an EV in 2025 is financially smarter than petrol.
📝 Which EV would you consider in 2025?
Comment below! And share this article with a friend comparing petrol vs electric.
If you’d like, I can also:
✅ Create SEO meta title & description
✅ Suggest a featured image prompt
Just say “yes”! 🚀