Electric Cars vs. Petrol Cars: Why EVs Are 3x More Efficient and Cost-Effective

When you think about the fuel you put in your car, do you ever wonder how much of it actually goes toward moving your car? If you’re driving a traditional petrol car, you’ll be surprised to know that only about 20 to 30 percent of the fuel’s energy is used to actually move the vehicle. The rest is wasted, mainly in the form of heat. Now, think about electric cars (EVs), which use over 85 percent of the battery’s energy to power the car. That’s a huge difference, and it’s something most people don’t realise.

Electric Motors: A Game Changer for Efficiency

The main reason EVs are so much more efficient is their electric motors. These motors are designed to use energy efficiently, with minimal loss. In contrast, petrol engines work by burning fuel, which results in a lot of wasted energy. This means every time you drive a petrol or diesel car, you’re losing a significant chunk of the energy you paid for. Simply put, electric motors convert much more energy from the battery into useful power for the car, making EVs far more efficient than traditional cars.

Regenerative Braking: The Smart Way to Save Energy

Electric vehicles also come with features that make them even more energy-efficient, like regenerative braking. This technology helps recover energy when the car slows down or brakes, turning that potential waste into power for the battery. Petrol or diesel cars don’t have this feature. So every time you brake, all that energy is just lost. Regenerative braking not only helps conserve energy but also improves the overall range of your EV, giving you more mileage on a single charge.

Fewer Moving Parts Means More Efficiency

Another advantage of EVs is that they have fewer moving parts than petrol cars. This reduces the wear and tear on the car, making it lighter and more efficient. In petrol or diesel cars, you have a complex engine with many parts that need fuel and maintenance. But EVs are simpler. The less energy it takes to move the car, the more efficient it is. That’s why EVs often have a much longer lifespan than petrol cars, with lower maintenance costs as well.

The Real-World Cost Comparison: Petrol vs. Electric Cars

Let’s talk about the real cost of fuel and charging, because this is where the savings really add up. In Mumbai, the price of petrol is approximately ₹100 per litre. If you drive a Tata Nexon petrol car, which has a 44-litre tank, you’ll be spending ₹4,400 to fill it up. Now, most of that fuel is wasted as heat, so let’s break it down further. That means, out of the ₹4,400 you spend, only around ₹1,100 is actually used to move the car. The remaining ₹3,300 quite literally goes up in smoke.

That’s not just inefficiency—it’s your hard-earned money evaporating with every kilometre you drive.

Now compare that to driving the same distance in an electric car like the Tata Nexon EV. You’d be using a 45 kWh battery. The cost of electricity in Mumbai is about ₹8 per kWh. So, to fully charge the Nexon EV, you would spend around ₹360. This could take you about 300 kilometers, depending on driving conditions.

Here’s the kicker: A full charge costs ₹360. Out of that, around 85 percent—roughly ₹306—goes into moving the car. Only about ₹54 worth of electricity is lost as heat and other inefficiencies.

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So while both vehicles lose some energy, the EV wastes a much smaller portion—not just in percentage, but in absolute money terms too.

The Bigger Picture: EVs Are Not Just Cleaner, They’re Smarter and Cheaper

If you think about it, driving an EV is not just about being more environmentally friendly, it’s about being more economical as well. Over time, you’ll save a significant amount of money on fuel, maintenance, and even repairs. Plus, you’re getting a more efficient driving experience, with fewer trips to the fuel station and less time spent on maintenance.

Let’s break it down with a simple example. Imagine you want to drive 1,000 kilometers.

• In a petrol car, you might need around 70 litres of fuel. At ₹100 per litre, that’s ₹7,000. But if only 25 percent of that energy moves the car, you’re getting just ₹1,750 worth of useful power. The other ₹5,250 is gone.
• In an EV, you’d need about 150 kWh of electricity for the same distance. At ₹8 per kWh, that’s ₹1,200. And with 85 percent efficiency, ₹1,020 is actually used to move the car. Only ₹180 is lost.

So, not only is the overall cost lower with an EV, but the waste is also far less—₹180 versus ₹5,250.

Checkout the blog on How Much Electricity Is Consumed by an Electric Car

Checkout the blog on Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Cars in India

Conclusion: The Smart Choice is Clear

When you compare the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of electric cars versus traditional petrol cars, the difference is undeniable. EVs use energy more efficiently, have smart features like regenerative braking, and are far cheaper to run in the long term. While the upfront cost of an EV might be higher, the savings on fuel, maintenance, and repairs make it a far better choice in the long run.

If you’re looking to save money and reduce your carbon footprint, making the switch to an electric vehicle is a decision you won’t regret. The future of driving is electric, and it’s not just cleaner, it’s smarter and cheaper too.