Fuel vs. Electric Auto Vehicle: The Cost-Benefit Analysis for Indian Roads
The Indian automobile market is witnessing a paradigm shift from fuel to electric vehicles. This transition is particularly evident in the three wheeler electric auto segment, which is rapidly gaining popularity. Let’s delve into a cost-benefit analysis of fuel vs. electric auto vehicles on Indian roads.
The 3 Wheeler Diesel auto vehicle, a popular choice among consumers, comes with an on-road price of ₹3,10,000 and an EMI of ₹7,915. It covers 100 km per day, with a fuel expense of ₹3.75 per km and maintenance expenses of ₹0.61 per km.
The total operating expenses amount to ₹4.36 per km. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, which is 8 years, the operating expense amounts to ₹13,31,000, with an engine overhaul cost of ₹75,000.
The total cost of ownership, including the capital expenditure (CAPEX) of ₹4,29,817 and the operating expenditure (OPEX) over 8 years of ₹13,31,000, amounts to ₹17,60,817.
On the other hand, the 3 Wheeler electric auto vehicle, a new entrant in the market, has an on-road price of ₹3,94,000 and an EMI of ₹10,270. Like its diesel counterpart, it covers 100 km per day. However, the fuel expense is significantly lower at ₹0.54 per km, and the maintenance expenses are also lower at ₹0.42 per km.
The total operating expenses amount to just ₹0.96 per km, resulting in savings in operating expenses of ₹3.40 per km. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, the operating expense amounts to ₹4,25,400, even with a battery change cost of ₹1,50,000. The total cost of ownership, including the CAPEX of ₹5,49,472 and the OPEX over 8 years of ₹4,25,400, amounts to ₹9,74,872. This results in a reduction in the total cost of ownership by ₹7,85,945, a whopping 45% reduction.
In conclusion, the cost-benefit analysis of fuel vs. electric auto vehicles on Indian roads clearly favors electric vehicles. The affordability, efficiency, and sustainability of electric vehicles, particularly the three wheel electric vehicle, make them an excellent choice for the Indian market. As more businesses recognize these benefits, the use of electric auto in India is only set to increase.
FAQs:
Q1. What is the performance for electric auto in terms of acceleration and handling?
Electric autos have higher acceleration rates and can reach the top speeds much faster than their diesel counterparts even at higher loads. Also, since electric autos have direct drive without clutch & gear shifts, handling is significantly better than ICE variants.
Q2. How much can I save on fuel costs by switching to an electric auto?
Fuel cost for a diesel 3 wheeler auto is around ₹3.75/km and for electric auto is around ₹0.54/km. For a typical usage of 3000km per month, fuel costs of up to ₹10,000 can be saved.
Q3. What is the mileage or efficiency of electric autos compared to fuel autos?
Electric autos have new technology drivetrains with tank to wheel efficiency of around 70-80%. Conventional fuel autos have tank to wheel efficiencies of around 25-35%. This results in higher operational cost savings for the consumer & better energy usage and lower carbon footprint for the environment.
