The True Cost of Commuting
With petrol prices continuously fluctuating, more Indians are seeking alternative means of transport. Transitioning to an electric cycle is not just environmentally friendly; it's a massive financial upgrade. Let's break down the numbers.
Running Costs: A Direct Comparison
A standard petrol scooter in India delivers about 40-50 km per liter. With petrol averaging around ₹100 per liter, your running cost is approximately ₹2.00 to ₹2.50 per km. An electric cycle, conversely, consumes about 1 to 1.5 units of electricity for a full charge giving 40 km. That’s roughly ₹0.15 per km. You save ₹2.35 every single kilometer.
Maintenance and Hidden Costs
Petrol bikes require periodic oil changes, engine tuning, spark plug replacements, and RTO registrations. E-bikes bypass all of this. There are no engine parts to wear out, no pollution checks, and no expensive insurance required by law.
Return on Investment (ROI)
If you purchase an e-bike for ₹25,000 and commute 20 km daily, you save about ₹17,000 in fuel costs alone within a year. In less than 18 months, your electric cycle pays for itself entirely.