The question every Indian car buyer is asking: is an electric car actually cheaper than petrol once you account for everything? The real answer lives in the total cost of ownership (TCO) — every rupee you spend from purchase day to the moment you sell the vehicle five years later.
All figures use January 2026 prices, a 12,000 km/year usage assumption, Delhi electricity at ₹8/unit, and Mumbai petrol at ₹104.15/litre.
The Two Vehicles We Compared
Both vehicles serve the same buyer profile — urban family wanting a comfortable compact SUV — making this a directly relevant comparison.
Cost 1 — Purchase & On-Road Price
| Cost Component | Nexon EV Max | Creta 1.5 Petrol MT |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-Showroom (Delhi) | ₹19,99,000 | ₹16,99,000 |
| GST | 5% (EV) | 28% + Cess (petrol) |
| Registration & RTO | ₹0 (waived for EVs) | ₹1,10,000 (approx) |
| Insurance (1st year) | ₹38,000 | ₹51,000 |
| FAME III Subsidy | −₹50,000 | Not applicable |
| Total On-Road (Delhi) | ≈ ₹22,00,000 | ≈ ₹20,20,000 |
Cost 2 — Fuel vs Electricity (5 Years)
The Nexon EV Max consumes approximately 17 kWh per 100 km. The Creta petrol returns roughly 14 km/litre in city conditions.
| Vehicle | Efficiency | Rate | Cost per km | 5-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nexon EV Max | 17 kWh/100 km | ₹8/unit | ₹1.36/km | ₹81,600 |
| Creta Petrol MT | 14 km/litre | ₹104.15/litre | ₹7.44/km | ₹4,46,400 |
| 5-Year EV Saving | — | — | −₹6.08/km | ₹3,64,800 |
Key Takeaway
The ₹3.65 lakh fuel saving over five years more than covers the ₹1.8 lakh on-road price premium of the EV — with ₹1.85 lakh to spare, even before accounting for maintenance savings.
Cost 3 — Maintenance (5 Years)
Electric vehicles have roughly 65% fewer moving parts than a petrol car — no engine oil, no timing belt, no spark plugs, and significantly reduced brake wear from regenerative braking.
| Service Item | Nexon EV Max (5yr) | Creta Petrol (5yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil & Filter | ₹0 | ₹15,600 |
| Brake Pad Replacement | ₹2,500 | ₹9,000 |
| Air Filter / Fuel Filter | ₹0 | ₹4,200 |
| Coolant / Transmission | ₹0 | ₹6,800 |
| Spark Plugs / Ignition | ₹0 | ₹5,500 |
| Battery / Electrical | ₹3,500 | ₹4,000 |
| Tyre Replacement (1 set) | ₹16,000 | ₹14,000 |
| Annual Service Charges | ₹12,000 | ₹22,000 |
| Total Maintenance (5 yr) | ₹34,000 | ₹81,100 |
The Final 5-Year TCO Verdict
The crossover point — where EV becomes cheaper than petrol on cumulative cost — occurs at approximately 3.1 years for an urban owner driving 12,000 km/year.
Complete 5-Year TCO Summary
| Cost Component | Nexon EV Max | Creta Petrol | EV Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Road Purchase Price | ₹22,00,000 | ₹20,20,000 | −₹1,80,000 |
| 5-Year Fuel / Electricity | ₹81,600 | ₹4,46,400 | +₹3,64,800 |
| 5-Year Maintenance | ₹34,000 | ₹81,100 | +₹47,100 |
| 5-Year Insurance | ₹1,33,500 | ₹1,74,000 | +₹40,500 |
| Less: Estimated Resale | −₹9,25,000 | −₹9,00,000 | −₹25,000 |
| NET 5-YEAR TCO | ≈ ₹14,24,100 | ≈ ₹17,21,500 | ≈ +₹2,97,400 |
Verdict: EV Wins by ~₹3 Lakh Over 5 Years
Even accounting for the higher purchase price and lower resale value, the Nexon EV Max is approximately ₹3 lakh cheaper than the Creta petrol over 5 years of typical urban use. At 15,000+ km/year, the EV advantage grows to over ₹4 lakh.
Sources & References
- 1.Tata Motors — Nexon EV Max Official Pricing, Jan 2026 [https://www.tatamotors.com]
- 2.Hyundai India — Creta Official Pricing, Jan 2026 [https://www.hyundai.com/in]
- 3.PPAC — Petrol Price Data Mumbai, Jan 2026 [https://ppac.gov.in]
- 4.NITI Aayog — India EV Total Cost of Ownership Study [https://www.niti.gov.in]
- 5.IRDAI — Motor Insurance Premium Rates & EV Norms 2025 [https://irdai.gov.in]
Disclaimer
All prices are indicative at time of writing. Fuel prices, electricity rates, and insurance premiums change frequently. This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.