EVs vs Petrol Cars in India: Real-World Costs, Maintenance & Convenience Compare
Key Highlights:
● Electric vehicles offer multiple benefits over conventional vehicles, like high energy efficiency, low running cost, cheaper maintenance and zero tailpipe emissions.
● EVs are cleaner, more cost-effective, and can be considered a truly sustainable solution for future transportation.
● Governments offer various benefits to boost EV adoption in the country.
With rising air pollution and skyrocketing fuel prices, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming mainstream. Conventional vehicles (petrol/diesel) have ruled the roads for years. But EVs are slowly and steadily getting traction, and that’s for good reasons. They are cleaner, cheaper to run and better suited for the future. In addition, its power source, i.e., electricity, is also the most easily manageable energy source when compared to other power sources.
Let’s understand why EVs are a smarter and better option for the future.
Zero Tailpipe Emissions
Electric vehicles seem to be the only sustainable solution to the deteriorating air quality in cities, especially in Tier 1 and Tier 2 metropolises. It is a well-known fact that petrol and diesel vehicles contribute heavily to air pollution and climate change by releasing harmful gases like CO, NOx, sulfur oxides, particulate matter (PM) and others into the environment. This not only affects our health but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which ultimately leads to global warming. However, adopting EVs is a great solution as they do not release any smoke or harmful gases when they run, making them a great fit in building a greener future.
Low Running Cost
In current scenarios, buying an electric vehicle certainly puts an extra burden on the pocket, but it actually saves lots of money in everyday usage. This is because EVs are more energy efficient and their running cost is significantly lower than their traditional ICE counterparts, especially when charged at home.
Let’s understand this by taking an example of the Hyundai Creta, which comes in both ICE and electric versions.
The Hyundai Creta’s 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine claims a fuel efficiency of 17.4 km/l, and the current petrol price in Delhi is ₹94.77/litre. So, the per-kilometre running cost comes to ₹5.44. On the other hand, the Creta Electric’s base variant comes with a 42 kWh battery pack, which claims a range of 420 kilometres.
If the vehicle is charged at home, where typical electricity rates vary between ₹6.5 to ₹10.5/unit, the full charging cost would be between ₹273 and ₹441. This brings the per km cost at home charging to: ₹0.65/km to ₹0.95/km.
The above calculation reveals that EVs are much more cost-efficient in everyday usage, making them an ideal option for those who have high running requirements.
Cheaper Maintenance
EVs are not only cheaper to operate but also have comparatively lower maintenance costs than their conventional ICE counterparts. This is because they have fewer mechanical components. Only basic routine checkups, tyre maintenance, and fluid replacements are generally required to ensure optimal performance.
Peaceful Driving Experience
Since EVs lack engines, transmissions and complex moving parts, they produce almost no sound/noise while running. In fact, drivers need to look at the instrument cluster to check if the vehicle is turned on or not. Some automakers also add Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) to produce artificial noise at low speeds to alert pedestrians, cyclists and visually impaired individuals to prevent any mishappening.
Mighty Performance
Driven by electric motors, EVs provide instant torque delivery and a silent drive, offering an unparalleled, thrilling driving experience with a much smoother ride experience than traditional vehicles. Further, their rapid acceleration and lack of a gearing system allow EV owners to zip through traffic with ease and confidence. Some electric vehicles, like the Hyundai IONIQ N, even come with artificial exhaust sounds that mimic a sports car.
Advanced Features
Most EVs come with certain features that are exclusive to them, like regenerative braking and single-pedal drive, which not only add driving comfort but also enhance overall convenience.
Regenerative braking: This technology converts the kinetic energy to electric energy during deceleration and stores it in the battery. This way, it helps to improve the overall efficiency, ensuring you get the utmost range. Most electric vehicles provide the convenience of adjusting the regen levels.
Single-Pedal Drive: It is the highest stage of regen level, in which the braking is so strong that it automatically decelerates the vehicle, like someone is doing the braking for you. In simple terms, it lets you control both acceleration and braking using just the single pedal (acceleration pedal). So, when you lift your foot off the A-pedal, the vehicle starts slowing down rapidly, and the braking energy is used to recharge the battery.
Government Incentives
To encourage EV adoption, both central and various state governments provide multiple incentives and tax benefits on the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs). The now-concluded FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles) scheme played a substantial role in boosting EV sales by offering upfront cash subsidies on the ex-showroom price. The ongoing PM e-drive for buyers and PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme for the automobile industry are also supporting EV sales and production by providing various incentives. Additionally, state governments like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, etc., have also announced their own state EV policies, offering several benefits on the purchase of EVs, such as additional subsidies on EV purchase and waiver of road tax and registration fees, all to bring down the overall upfront cost. In fact, Maharashtra has also recently waived off toll tax for EVs on select highways and expressways.
The Future of Electric Vehicles
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 are 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.
FAQs
1. Why are EVs more expensive than conventional ICE vehicles?
The high price tag of EVs is mainly because of their battery, which is the most expensive part of the car. Other reasons for their high prices are their evolving technology and comparatively lower production scale than ICE vehicles.
2. What are the benefits of Electric Vehicles (EVs)?
Compared to the ICE vehicles, EVs have lower running costs, zero tailpipe emissions, cheaper maintenance, and a smoother, quieter drive.
3. Are EVs actually environmentally friendly?
EVs are considered environmentally friendly because they have zero tailpipe emissions. They run on electricity, which isn’t always produced in a cleaner way. In India, electricity is mainly generated from coal, which is not a clean fuel. Still, even with that, EVs cause much less pollution overall compared to petrol/diesel vehicles. That’s why they are considered a quick and effective way to combat climate change.