The Indian automotive market is witnessing a massive electric vehicle revolution. Kickstarting the new fiscal year (FY2027), April 2026 saw a staggering 73% year-on-year growth in the EV passenger segment, with 17 automakers collectively delivering 23,265 electric cars, SUVs, and MPVs compared to just 13,409 units in April 2025.

Despite this boom, potential buyers still harbor one major question: How much does it actually cost to run an EV over long distances, and how does it stack up against traditional fuels?

Using real-world specifications, such as a large SUV like the Tata Harrier EV—which houses a 75 kWh battery and comfortably delivers an authentic 500 km range on a single full charge—let's break down the exact math.

1. The EV Running Cost (For 500 KM)

To find the cost of running an electric vehicle, we look at the total electrical units consumed during charging.

• The Units: A 75 kWh battery mathematically translates to 75 units of electricity. Accounting for minor energy loss during the charging process, it takes roughly 80 to 85 units to top it up completely from 0% to 100%.

• The Bill: Assuming an average domestic electricity tariff of ₹8 per unit, fully charging the car to cover a 500 km journey costs approximately ₹600 to ₹700.

2. The Petrol Running Cost (For 500 KM)

When you pit these numbers against a similarly sized mid-size petrol SUV, the financial gap opens up dramatically.

• The Fuel: Assuming a standard highway mileage of 15 km per liter, a petrol SUV will burn roughly 33.3 liters of fuel to cover 500 km.

• The Bill: At an estimated average petrol price of ₹100 per liter, the total cost for the exact same journey reaches ₹3,300.

3. The Diesel Running Cost (For 500 KM)

Diesel SUVs are traditionally known for being more efficient on long hauls, but they still cannot compete with electric efficiency.

• The Fuel: Assuming a healthier diesel mileage of 18 km per liter, the vehicle will require about 27.7 liters of fuel for a 500 km stretch.

• The Bill: At an estimated diesel price of ₹90 per liter, the trip will cost you just over ₹2,500.

Head-to-Head Cost Comparison Table (500 KM Journey)

The Ultimate Verdict: The data speaks for itself—running an electric car is roughly 5 times cheaper than petrol and 3 to 4 times cheaper than diesel.

When you factor in that EVs completely eliminate routine internal combustion costs like engine oil changes, spark plugs, clutch replacements, and gearbox maintenance, the long-term savings are massive. While the upfront purchase price of an EV is higher, a driver with frequent long-distance commutes will fully recover that premium within just a few years.