EV Cars vs Fuel Cars: Why Electric Is the Future of Mobility

Key Highlights:

• Compared to fuel vehicles, EVs like the Tata Tiago EV offer up to 10x lower running costs, especially when charged at home. That’s major savings on daily commutes!
• EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping combat rising air pollution in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, making them a healthier choice for both people and the planet.
• With fewer moving parts, maintenance costs are low, and government incentives further reduce the overall cost of ownership, making EVs a smarter long-term investment.

Advantages of Buying An EV

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer just the future - they're the smart choice for today. With lower running costs, eco-friendly performance, and growing government support, EVs offer a range of benefits that go beyond just saving on fuel.

Let’s understand why electric vehicles are the better choice going forward.

Zero Tailpipe Emissions

With worsening air quality, especially in tier 1 and tier 2 cities, electric vehicles come as a truly sustainable solution. It is well known that petrol and diesel vehicles contribute heavily to air pollution and climate change by releasing harmful gases like carbon dioxide, NOx, sulfur oxides, particulate matter (PM), and others into the environment that affect our health and increase greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, EVs do not release any smoke or harmful gases when they run, making them a far more eco-friendly option. Their clean operations also align perfectly with broader goals of sustainable energy practices and a greener future.

Low Running Cost

Electric vehicles may cost more to buy at first, but they save money in everyday usage. They are more energy efficient, and their running cost is typically much lower than the fuel cost for ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicles, especially when charged at home. 

Let’s understand this better with the example of the Tata Tiago, which is available in both petrol and electric variants.

The Tiago offers a fuel efficiency of 20.09 km/l, and the current petrol price in Mumbai is ₹103.50 per litre. 

So, the per km running cost comes to: - 

₹103.50 ÷ 20.09 = ~ ₹5.15 per km

On the other hand, the Tiago EV (24kWh variant) claims a range of 315 km on a single charge. The public charging rate at Tata Power Fast Charging Stations is approximately ₹18 per unit. 

Since the battery is 24kWh, the total cost for a full charge would be: -

24x18 =  ₹432

So, the per km cost using public charging is: ₹432 ÷ 315 = ~₹1.37 per km

If charged at home, where electricity rates are typically ₹6.5 to ₹10.5 per unit, the full charging cost would be between: -

24 × ₹6.5 = ₹156 and 24 × ₹10.5 = ₹252

This brings the per km cost at home charging to: 

• ₹156 ÷ 315 = ~₹0.50 per km 
• ₹252 ÷ 315 = ~₹0.80 per km

Going by the above calculations, the Tiago petrol has up to ten times more running cost than its electric counterpart.

Cheaper Maintenance

In addition to lower running costs, EVs also offer significantly reduced maintenance expenses compared to petrol or diesel cars, as they lack complex mechanical parts like an engine, clutch, and gearbox that need regular service or repair. However, basic routine checkups, tyre rotations, and fluid replacements are still recommended to ensure optimal performance. 

Mighty Performance and Advanced Features

Thanks to their instant torque delivery and silent operations, EVs deliver a thrilling driving experience and a smoother ride. Their rapid acceleration and lack of a gearing system allow EV owners to zip through traffic with ease and confidence.

They also come with modern features like regenerative braking and single-pedal driving.

• Regenerative Braking: When decelerating, it captures the kinetic energy by converting it into electric energy. This is further used to recharge the vehicle’s battery, helping improve efficiency. Modern EVs provide the convenience of adjusting the regen intervention.

• Single Pedal Driving: Single-pedal driving works by using the highest level of regenerative braking that lets you control both acceleration and braking using just the accelerator pedal. So when you lift your foot off the accelerator, the car slows down, and the braking energy is used to recharge the battery.

Peaceful Driving Experience

EVs operate almost silently because they don't have a traditional engine and complex moving parts. Their electric motors run so quietly that you often have to check the instrument cluster to know if the car is even on. In fact, automakers add artificial sounds at lower speeds for better awareness and pedestrian safety.

Government Incentives

Unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, EVs benefit from a range of incentives and tax benefits offered by both central and state governments. These schemes are aimed at encouraging EV adoption across the country.

At the national level, the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme played a big role in boosting EV sales by offering upfront subsidies. While this scheme has officially ended, the Indian government continues to support EV adoption through other initiatives such as the PM e-Drive for buyers and the PLI scheme for the automobile and auto component industries.

On top of this, state governments like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana offer their own benefits. These include waiving road tax and registration fees, and providing extra subsidies that make EVs more affordable for buyers.

EV Cars vs Fuel Cars: Making The Smarter Choice

Petrol and diesel cars changed the world. But now it’s time to move on to something better. EVs are cleaner, smarter, and more cost-effective. They’re the future of transportation - and that future has already started. If we care about saving money, improving air quality, and leaving a better world for the next generation, choosing electric is the way forward.

Pro Tip: Don’t just compare upfront prices - look at lifetime savings. EVs may seem pricier at first, but with lower running costs, minimal maintenance, and government incentives, they often turn out to be the smarter investment in the long run.

FAQs

1. Are Electric Vehicles truly environment-friendly?

Electric vehicles are seen as environmentally friendly because they have zero tailpipe emissions. While they run on electricity - which isn't always generated cleanly, especially when sourced from coal-based power plants - EVs still result in significantly lower overall pollution compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. This makes them a quick and effective solution in the fight against climate change.

2. Why are EVs more expensive than conventional fuel cars?

Electric vehicles are costlier mainly because of their battery, which is the most expensive part of the car.  Also, EV technology is still evolving, and the production scale is smaller compared to petrol/diesel cars.

3. What is regenerative braking?

It’s a system where the EV recovers energy when you slow down or brake and sends it back to the battery, improving efficiency.

4. What are the benefits of electric cars?

The benefits of electric cars include, lower running cost, low maintenance, zero tailpipe emissions, smooth & quiet drives, and fewer service visits.