EV vs diesel running cost in India: real numbers from 1.4 lakh km
Updated 22 Oct 2026 · Written by the GEMS team · Reviewed by Bharath Jain, GEMS Admin
Over 1.4 lakh km, a 2020 Tata Nexon EV cost about ₹1.37 per km in charging, against roughly ₹5 per km in diesel for the same owner's Ford EcoSport. Including insurance and all service, the EV's total running cost was ₹2.60 per km. That doesn't include its higher purchase price, which decides whether you come out ahead.
Per-km cost: EV vs diesel
| Cost | Tata Nexon EV (30 kWh) | Ford EcoSport diesel |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel / charging, daily use | ≈ ₹1 per km (home charging) | ≈ ₹5 per km (18–20 km/l) |
| Fuel / charging, long drives | ₹1.2–5 per km (fast chargers at ₹10–30 per unit) | ≈ ₹4.5 per km (21–24 km/l) |
| Actual charging cost over 1.4 lakh km | ₹1.92 lakh = ₹1.37 per km | — |
| Service incl. tyres, LED headlamps, 12V battery | ₹1 lakh = ₹0.71 per km | Not logged |
| Total ownership cost incl. insurance & service | ₹3.66 lakh = ₹2.60 per km | Not logged |
Wear parts last longer
- Original tyres lasted about 1.29 lakh km.
- Brake pads lasted about 1.4 lakh km, helped by regenerative braking.
- Scheduled EV service items: transaxle oil every 2 years / 30,000 km and coolant every 4 years / 60,000 km.
What decides whether an EV saves you money
Running cost is only half the story. Compare the EV's extra purchase price (against an automatic petrol or diesel car with similar features) plus the difference in resale value with what you'll save on fuel and service over the years you'll own it. The more kilometres you drive, the faster an EV pays back.
Your electricity bill matters too: moving out of a low telescopic tariff slab can add around ₹500 a month, and the owner estimated about ₹1.3 per km extra on the electricity bill overall.
What this doesn't cover
- One owner and one 2020 Nexon EV (30 kWh) in Kerala; newer cars and other states' tariffs will differ.
- Diesel prices are from the same period; petrol cars cost more per km than diesel.
- The battery pack was replaced once under warranty at 85,000 km at no cost; an out-of-warranty replacement (about ₹6.85 lakh in 2024) would change the result.
- Purchase price, loan interest and resale value are not included.