Earnings limited, expenses heavy? Petrol or electric car, which will save more in 5 years?

Petrol Vs EV Cost Comparison 2026: Today, buying a car is no longer limited to just looking at the showroom price. The real question is how much burden it will put on your pocket in 5 years. Purchase price, fuel or charging expenses, service and maintenance, insurance, taxes and resale value all come together to determine the real cost of ownership. So is petrol car better or EV? Let us understand with simple mathematics.

Big difference between small cars

If we compare Maruti Dezire (Petrol) and Tata Tiago EV, then the mileage of Dezire is good, but the running cost of Tiago EV is only Rs 0.80 to 1 per km. Suppose you drive 75,000 km in 5 years. In such a situation, petrol will cost around Rs 3.80 lakh in Dezire, while electricity will cost around Rs 65 thousand in Tiago EV. That means, the difference of around Rs 3 lakh seen in the initial price can turn into a savings of Rs 4 lakh.

Mid-Size SUV: Mileage vs. Torque

Petrol SUVs like Mahindra XUV or Hyundai Venue give an average mileage of 10-12 kmpl in the city. Due to heavy engines, their fuel consumption is high. Whereas electric SUVs provide better torque and smooth pick-up. There can be direct savings of up to Rs 6-7 per kilometer. This difference matters a lot for those who walk a lot in the city every day.

Premium segment: savings with luxury

Petrol vehicles like Hyundai Creta or Kia Seltos offer comfort, but the fuel bill is also premium. In comparison, EVs like MG ZS EV or Hyundai Kona get huge discounts in road tax in many states. Over 5 years of ownership, the premium EV can net you savings of around Rs 6 lakh over its petrol model, which balances out its higher price tag.

Real savings hidden in maintenance

Petrol cars require service at least 10 times in 5 years. Expenses for engine oil, coolant and filter are separate.

• Petrol Car: Rs 70,000-90,000
• Electric Car: Rs 15,000-25,000

Due to less moving parts in EV, service cost remains very low.

Resale, Insurance and Infrastructure

By 2026, the network of charging stations will have increased significantly, due to which “range anxiety” Has decreased. The 8-year battery warranty on EVs is boosting confidence in the second-hand market. It is estimated that EVs can recover 55-65% of their value in 3-5 years. Although the insurance premium for an EV may be higher by 10–15%, the on-road price is balanced out by road tax rebates and government schemes.

Also read: There is no boiling water in summer, these 5 cars have in-built fridge, the journey will become cool.

What’s right for you?

If your budget is limited and you travel long distances, then petrol car is a safe option for now. But if there is a lot of daily driving in the city and you want to keep the car for a long time, then EV may prove to be a wise deal.