TryEVROI
Plain-English definitions for the terms that come up when comparing an EV to a petrol car. Want the numbers instead of the definitions? Use the ROI calculator.
The total price you actually pay to drive the car out of the showroom — ex-showroom price plus RTO registration, road tax, and insurance. Always compare on-road prices, not ex-showroom prices, between EV and petrol options.
A central or state government incentive that reduces the effective purchase price of an EV, usually applied as a direct deduction or a post-purchase rebate. Amount and eligibility vary by state and vehicle category.
The unit used to measure an EV battery's total energy capacity and how much electricity you use to charge it — the EV equivalent of a fuel tank's litre capacity.
How many kilometers an EV travels per kWh of electricity used — the EV equivalent of mileage (km/l) for a petrol car. Higher is more efficient.
The distance an EV can travel on a full charge under real-world conditions. Actual range varies with driving style, temperature, and AC use, and is often lower than the certified figure.
The maximum amount your insurer will pay if your car is stolen or damaged beyond repair — essentially the car's current market value for insurance purposes. EVs often have a higher IDV relative to size because the battery pack is a large share of the vehicle's value.
The part of your insurance premium that covers damage to your own vehicle (as opposed to third-party liability). This portion tends to run higher for EVs due to battery and specialized-repair costs.
The part of your insurance premium covering liability for damage or injury to others. EVs in India get a government-mandated discount on this component.
Your fixed monthly loan repayment amount, covering both principal and interest, over the loan tenure.
The reduction in a vehicle's value over time. Affects both your resale value at the end of ownership and how insurance claims are settled.
The point at which the total cost of owning an EV becomes lower than the total cost of owning the equivalent petrol car — factoring in purchase price, running costs, maintenance, insurance, and resale. This is what our ROI calculator solves for.