When I first started thinking about getting an electric vehicle, the biggest question on my mind was not about range or speed. It was about money. Everyone around me kept saying that an electric vehicle is cheaper to run compared to a petrol car, but to be honest, I was not entirely convinced. Petrol cars have been a part of our daily lives for so long that switching to an electric vehicle felt unfamiliar and slightly risky.
I felt that simply comparing fuel prices wouldn’t give the whole picture. Daily use involves many small, real-world costs – fuel, charging, maintenance, servicing, time, and even mental stress. So I tried to approach this question from a practical perspective: for someone who uses an electric or petrol car every day, is an electric car truly cheaper than a petrol car?
Looking at Daily Usage Instead of Theory
Mostly people do not buy a vehicle for occasional use. They buy it for office travel, daily errands, family responsibilities, or business. In such cases, the vehicle become part of everyday life, and small costs slowly turn into big monthly expenses.
With petrol vehicles, daily use means frequent visits to fuel stations. Prices change often, and you never really know how much you will end up spending in a month. When I calculated my own daily travel-around 30 to 40 kilometers-it became clear that fuel costs alone were taking a noticeable portion of the monthly budget.
With an electric vehicle, the experience is different. Charging replaces fuel, and charging costs are far more predictable. That was the first moment when I felt that electric vehicles might actually make more sense in real life, not just on paper.
Charging Versus Fuel: The Everyday Experience
Before exploring electric vehicles, I assumed charging would be inconvenient. I imagined long waiting times and complicated setups. In reality, daily charging turned out to be simpler than expected, especially for people who can charge at home.
Most users charge their electric vehicles overnight. You plug in the vehicle, and by morning it is ready. There is no standing in queues, no sudden price hikes, and no guessing how much fuel will cost next week. Electricity bills are stable, and you can roughly estimate monthly expenses without surprises.
Public charging can be slightly more expensive than home charging, but even then, the overall cost remains much lower than petrol for daily use.
A Simple Cost Comparison Based on Daily Use
To make things clearer, here is a realistic comparison based on average daily usage rather than ideal conditions or promotional numbers.
| Expense Type | Electric Vehicle (Approx.) | Petrol Vehicle (Approx.) |
| Cost per kilometer | ₹1 – ₹2 | ₹6 – ₹10 |
| Monthly running cost | ₹700 – ₹1,200 | ₹3,500 – ₹6,000 |
| Regular maintenance | Very low | Moderate to high |
| Engine-related expenses | None | Frequent |
This table alone explains why many daily users start feeling the financial difference within a few months of ownership.
Maintenance Is Where Electric Vehicles Quietly Win
One thing I underestimated earlier was maintenance. Petrol vehicles come with regular servicing needs-engine oil changes, filters, clutch issues, and many small parts that wear out over time. These costs may not feel heavy individually, but they add up.
Electric vehicles are mechanically simpler. There is no engine oil, no complex gearbox, and fewer moving parts overall. This directly translates into fewer service visits and lower maintenance bills.
For someone who depends on a vehicle daily, fewer breakdown worries and lower servicing stress are valuable benefits that are often ignored during purchase decisions.
The Battery Concern Is Real-but Often Misunderstood
Battery replacement is one of the most common concerns among new buyers, and it is a valid one. Batteries are expensive, and the idea of replacing them sounds intimidating. I had the same concern initially.
However, modern electric vehicles come with long battery warranties, usually around six to eight years. Batteries do not suddenly stop working; they gradually lose efficiency over time. For most daily users, the battery remains usable for many years before replacement becomes a serious consideration.
When you compare long-term fuel and maintenance costs of petrol vehicles with the total cost of ownership of an electric vehicle, the battery concern becomes less alarming than it initially appears.
Who Benefits the Most from an Electric Vehicle?
Electric vehicles are not perfect for everyone, and it is important to say that honestly. But they are particularly practical for people whose usage pattern fits certain conditions.
If you drive mostly within the city, have predictable daily travel, and can charge at home or nearby, electric vehicles tend to be significantly cheaper in daily use. The savings may not feel dramatic in the first month, but over a year or two, the difference becomes clear.
For people who frequently travel long distances or live in areas with limited charging access, petrol vehicles may still be more practical for now.
The Emotional Side of Daily Ownership
Cost is not the only factor. Daily vehicle ownership also involve mental comfort. Petrol vehicles bring constant exposure to price changes, engine noise, heat, and frequent maintenance reminders.
Electric vehicles offer a quieter, smoother experience. There is something calming about knowing that every kilometer is not burning expensive fuel. Over time, this sense of control and predictability becomes part of the ownership experience.
I did not expect this emotional difference to matter, but in daily use, it genuinely does.
So, Is an Electric Vehicle Really Cheaper Than Petrol?
The honest answer is yes-for daily use, electric vehicles are cheaper than petrol vehicles in most urban situations. The savings come not from one big factor, but from many small ones: lower running costs, reduced maintenance, and predictable expenses.
That said, electric vehicles are not a universal solution. The decision should depend on your lifestyle, travel pattern, and access to charging.
A Final Thought Before Deciding
Before choosing your next vehicle, do not look only at the showroom price. Think about how you will use the vehicle every single day. Consider your monthly expenses, your stress levels, and how long you plan to keep the vehicle.
Sometimes, the cheaper option is not the one with the lower price tag, but the one that quietly saves money and effort over time.