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Electric Car vs Petrol Car: Which Is Better?

The entry of electric vehicles in the automotive industry has made purchasing four-wheelers even more challenging for car enthusiasts. While the price of petrol is rapidly rising and pollution is at its peak, individuals are willing to give electric vehicles a try.

If you are someone stuck in the debate on electric car vs petrol car, here is a detailed discussion on each type and their differences to help you out.

What Are the Differences Between Electric and Petrol Cars?

Follow the table mentioned below to get a clear understanding of the differences between electric and petrol vehicles.

Particulars Electric Cars Petrol Cars
Buying Cost Starts from ₹ 4.5 lakh Starts from ₹ 2 Lakh
Maintenance Cost Lower Higher
Range 200 – 490 km per charge 20 km per litre
CO2 Emissions Lower Higher
Running Cost ₹ 1 - ₹ 2 per km ₹ 4 per km

What Are Petrol Cars?

Petrol cars refer to those motor cars which use a spark-ignited internal combustion engine that consumes petrol or gasoline.

The pros and cons of petrol cars are as follows -

Pros of Petrol Cars

  • Comparing the running cost of an electric car vs petrol car concludes that the latter is less. This is because petrol engines come with cheaper parts, making their after-sales service much more affordable. These parts are also easily available in the market.
  • These engines emit reduced noise, helping individuals enjoy quiet rides.
  • Petrol cars offer longer service life than electric vehicles.

Cons of Petrol Cars

  • Petrol cars emit a high volume of CO2, which pollutes the environment.
  • Their engines offer low fuel efficiency.
  • Petrol engines demand frequent maintenance as they get clogged up easily.
  • The cost of petrol is on the higher side which increases the overall running cost.

Now that you are familiar with the details of petrol cars, let us get an in-depth knowledge about electric cars.

What Are Electric Cars?

Electric cars refer to those vehicles that run partially or fully on electric power. These vehicles store the electricity in rechargeable batteries that help start the electric motor, which in turn helps rotate wheels.

The pros and cons of electric cars are as follows:

Pros of Electric Cars

  • Electric cars offer high energy efficiency.
  • The emission levels of electric cars are close to zero.
  • These vehicles offer high performance.
  • Since these vehicles have minimum moving parts hence, the maintenance cost is low.

Cons of Electric Cars

  • Electric car batteries take a long time to get charged.
  • Demands for an initial investment starting from 4.5 lakhs to buy electric cars are higher compared to petrol or diesel powered cars making them expensive.
  • The battery of an electric vehicle may need replacement in its lifespan, which can be a costly affair.
  • Comparing electric vehicles vs petrol vehicles, EVs can cover lesser distances.
  • Installation of charging infrastructure at home can be a bit costly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which performs better between electric cars vs petrol cars?

The Economic Times reports that, as per a US-based website, electric batteries have the ability to convert 59-62% of energy. On the other hand, petrol cars can convert only 17-21%. It means EVs offer better performance.

Is there any tax benefit for electric vehicles?

Yes, individual taxpayers and individuals running businesses can avail tax exemptions up to ₹1.5 lakh on the interest paid on loans under Section 80EEB. Further, road taxes are exempted for a pure electric vehicle owing to zero emissions.

Which one is free from road tax between electric and petrol cars?

Electric cars are free from road tax in some states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Punjab.