Electric vs petrol car

Petrol vs Electric: Is Owning an EV Finally Cheaper in Gurugram?

As India accelerates toward sustainable mobility, many Gurugram residents are now weighing the real-world costs of owning an electric vehicle (EV) versus a traditional petrol car. This article dives deep into the total cost of ownership for Tata Nexon’s EV and petrol base models, comparing everything from purchase price and energy costs to insurance, maintenance, and resale value—so you can decide which option truly makes economic sense over the next 5 years.

✅ Up‑Front Cost & State Incentives

The Haryana EV Policy 2022 provides following benefits:

  • Purchase incentive: 15 % of ex‑showroom price (max ₹6 L) for the first 1,000 BEVs (₹15‑70 L segment).
  • 75 % road‑tax & registration waiver (Rs. 500), priority registration for EVs.
  • Additional perks: exemption from state tolls, token-fee registration (~₹100), and interest-free loans for state employees.

Net takeaway: ICE vs EV price gap narrows significantly—often within ₹1–1.5 L after incentives.


💰 Effective Purchase Price After State Incentives

ModelOn-road Price (₹L)Haryana Incentive Applied*Effective Cost (₹L)
Nexon EV Creative MRApproximately INR 14.22 Lakh – INR 14.41 Lakh–1.87L (15% of 12.49L) + –0.75L RTO/Reg waiver₹11.60
Nexon Smart 1.2 Petrol 5MTApproximately INR 9.08 Lakh – INR 9.70 LakhN/A₹9.08 – 9.70

* 15% subsidy applies to ex-showroom ₹12.49L (₹1.87L benefit), plus exempted ₹0.75L for RTO/registration.

Note: This is approximate calculation and in real the values may vary. It’s always a good idea to consult the dealer for more accurate prices and incentives.

Disclaimer: Important thing to note here is that the incentives offered by state government could change.


🔋 Running Cost: Charging vs Petrol

MetricPetrol SUV (e.g. Nexon Petrol)EV SUV (e.g. Nexon EV)
Fuel/Energy Price₹95.50/L petrol (July 2025)₹3–6/kWh domestic rate
Efficiency~15 km/L~8 km/kWh
Cost per km₹6.37₹0.63–0.75

Result: ₹ per km for EVs is ~90 % lower, making daily commuting dramatically cheaper.

tata nexon
tata nexon

🔧 Maintenance & Insurance

  • EVs have lower running costs: no oil/filter changes, simpler drivetrain, ~₹5k/yr servicing.
  • ICE SUVs incur ~₹10–15k/yr in routine maintenance.
  • Insurance: EV premiums are ~15–25% higher (covers battery risk), expected to moderate as the market matures; current annual ranges within ₹26–36k for EVs vs ₹18–25k for petrol variants.

📈 Resale Value

EV resale is strengthening:

  • Nexon EV retains ~70% value after 3–4 years.
  • MG ZS EV and similar models hover around ~75–76% retention.
  • ICE SUV resale typically lies at ~60–65%.

Higher EV resale is driven by rising second-hand demand and credible battery-condition certificates.


🧮 Five‑Year Cost Comparison (12,000 km/year)

Cost ComponentNexon PetrolNexon EV
Fuel/Energy₹3.82 L₹0.37 L
Maintenance₹0.60 L₹0.25 L
Insurance₹0.90 L₹1.25 L
Registration/Tax₹0.95 L—₹0
Total (5 yr)₹6.27 L₹1.87 L

👉 Despite slightly higher insurance and upfront cost, EV ownership in Gurugram saves nearly ₹4.4 L over five years.


🌍 Future Outlook for Gurugram/Delhi‑NCR

  1. Battery costs projected to fall below $80/kWh by 2027—EV sticker prices will drop accordingly.
  2. EV registration perks (priority, waived fees) continue under Haryana policy.
  3. Insurance innovation: IRDAI pushing for lower EV insurance premiums based on battery health, likely lowering premiums by ~10%.
  4. New EV models entering sub‑₹10 L range (e.g. Honda Activa EV scooter-like cars), easing urban EV adoption.
  5. Charging network enhancements: GMDA rollouts of fast chargers every ~4 km on Delhi–Gurugram roads.

✅ Verdict

The EV calculus in Gurugram hinges on state incentives and lifetime savings. Haryana’s EV policy gives EVs a decisive edge—with waived taxes, strong purchase subsidies, low running costs, and improved resale values.

For daily commuters in Gurugram, EVs are finally the financially smarter choice—electricity-based travel is ≈10x cheaper per km, and total savings across 5 years exceed ₹4 L compared to petrol alternatives. If state incentives sustain, EV ownership here is no longer just eco-friendly—it’s economically superior too.

Keep following AskAutoExpert for more such interesting insights from the Auto world!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *