Amid rising petrol costs and the growing popularity of electric vehicles, car buyers face an important question: Is it financially viable to replace a petrol SUV with an electric SUV?
Switching to an EV isn’t just a matter of comparing fuel bills. Factors like the upfront price difference, annual running costs, home charging availability, maintenance, insurance, and car retention are all important.
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Manufacturers like VinFast are also offering ownership benefits to make the transition easier. According to the company, its VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs come with offers like free charging, maintenance benefits, and switching support for existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners. However, the actual savings for a buyer will depend on their driving habits and local costs.
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Petrol vs EV Running Cost: Calculating Per Kilometer
The simplest way to understand the financial advantage of an EV is to calculate the per-kilometer running cost. For a petrol SUV, fuel consumption and petrol price together determine the running cost, while for an EV, electricity tariff and vehicle efficiency play a role.
VinFast’s shared estimates assume petrol prices in Delhi to be around Rs. 102 per liter. If a petrol SUV delivers a mileage of 13–14 km/liter, the fuel cost comes to roughly Rs. 7.3–7.8 per kilometer.
In the case of an EV, if the vehicle achieves an efficiency of 6–7 km per kWh, home charging costs can be significantly lower than electricity tariffs. For Delhi, the PR estimate is approximately Rs. Indicative tariffs like Rs. 3/kWh for Madhya Pradesh and Rs. 8.98/kWh for Maharashtra have been given. Actual electricity bill may be affected by household consumption, applicable tariff slabs and charging losses.
The company’s illustrative calculations have taken a working estimate of Rs. 0.9–1.3 per kilometer for home charging. On this basis, a saving of around Rs. 6 per kilometer in the running cost of an EV compared to a petrol SUV has been assumed. This is an example; not a guaranteed saving for every EV owner.
How to calculate the break-even point of an EV?
Assume that the electric SUV you are considering is Rs. 4 lakh more expensive than a comparable petrol SUV. If the EV costs Rs. If there is a saving of Rs. 6, then one would have to drive approximately 66,700 km to recover the initial price difference.
The simple calculation for this is:
Rs. 4,00,000 ÷ Rs. 6 per km = approximately 66,700 km
Now consider its impact in terms of annual driving:
| Annual Running | Approximate Break-Even Time |
|---|---|
| 8,000 km | 8.3 years |
| 12,000 km | 5.6 years |
| 15,000 km | 4.4 years |
| 20,000 km | 3.3 years |
This is an illustrative calculation. It only considers the assumed upfront price difference and per-kilometer fuel savings. Insurance, maintenance, taxes, financing, resale value, and other ownership costs are not included.
This example makes one thing clear: for buyers who drive more kilometers per year, it may be relatively easier to recover the additional purchase cost of an EV. However, if annual driving is low and the car needs to be replaced within a few years, the financial benefit may take longer to realize.
How much savings can be achieved with public charging?
Home charging generally plays an important role in making EV ownership financially attractive. However, not every buyer has access to dedicated parking or the convenience of installing a home charger.
VinFast’s PR gives an illustrative range of ₹15–25 per kWh for public charging. If the EV delivers an efficiency of 6–7 km/kWh, the energy cost at public charging could be roughly Rs. 2.1–4.2 per kilometer, before including charging losses.
This cost is lower than the ₹7.3–7.8 per kilometer fuel expense of the petrol SUV in the example, but the savings are reduced compared to home charging. Therefore, it is useful to evaluate nearby charging stations, charging rates, daily travel distance, and parking arrangements before purchasing an EV.
Also Read: 5 Tips for Parking in Tight Spaces Safely, With Help From VinFast
Maintenance and insurance are also part of the calculation
EVs do not have conventional engine oil and some engine-related servicing requirements, which can reduce scheduled maintenance costs. According to estimates shared by VinFast, annual scheduled servicing for petrol and diesel cars can cost roughly Rs. 7,000–10,000, while comparable EVs are estimated at Rs. 2,000–4,000.
Based on this comparison, potential annual servicing savings could be Rs. 5,000–8,000. However, the actual cost will depend on the model, service schedule, usage, and workshop rates.
On the other hand, EV insurance premiums can be higher, and tire wear is also affected by driving style, vehicle weight, and road conditions. Therefore, simply adding fuel and servicing savings is not sufficient when calculating the total ownership cost.
Road tax and registration-related benefits may also affect the upfront price difference. Eligible EVs may receive road-tax exemptions in some states, but benefits vary by state, vehicle category, and applicable rules. Buyers should verify current rules in their state.
What do VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 EVs offer buyers?
VinFast is targeting buyers in India with the VF 6 and VF 7 electric SUVs. According to the company’s shared specifications, the VF 6 has a claimed MIDC range of up to 468 km, while the VF 7 has a claimed MIDC range of up to 438 km. These figures are company-claimed; real-world range may vary depending on driving conditions, speed, weather and air-conditioning usage.
According to the company, charging the VF 6 from 10–70% takes approximately 25 minutes and the VF 7 takes around 24 minutes within the same charging window. Actual charging time will depend on charger output, battery temperature and charging conditions.
Warranty coverage is also an important factor in ownership calculation. According to details shared by VinFast:
- VF 6: Vehicle warranty 7 years/160,000 km and battery warranty 10 years/200,000 km.
- VF 7: 10 years/200,000 km warranty for both vehicle and battery.
These warranty details are based on company claims; applicable terms, exclusions, and current Indian-market conditions should be checked before purchase.
How do Free Charging and Ownership Benefits replace Break-Even?
VinFast is offering some additional benefits through its ownership program. According to the company’s PR, these include free maintenance for three years or 36,000 km, free charging at V-Green charging stations till March 31, 2029 and cash support for customers who purchase a VinFast EV by selling their existing ICE vehicle.
Such benefits can reduce the buyer’s effective ownership cost. But their exact financial impact will depend on eligibility, offer terms, charging network availability and customer usage. The benefit of free charging will be meaningful only if the buyer can regularly use the relevant charging network and the offer is applicable on his vehicle and purchase date.
Hence, the buyer should confirm the written terms, validity, exclusions and eligibility of the offer before taking a final decision at the showroom. Also, it is important to compare the on-road prices of EV and comparable petrol SUV on the same basis.
So when is it right to Switching to an EV from a petrol car?
If you drive 15,000–20,000 km annually, have home charging available, and plan to keep the EV for several years, running-cost savings can help recover the initial price difference. For buyers with high annual driving, the financial case for an EV can be relatively strong.
But if your annual driving is around 8,000 km, you rely heavily on public charging, or you frequently replace your vehicle, the break-even period can be quite long. Such buyers should also carefully compare the purchase price, financing, insurance, and resale value.
Auto India Daily Verdict
There is no universal break-even point for Switching to an EV. The decision depends on your annual running, charging access, upfront price difference and ownership period.
The charging and maintenance benefits announced with the VinFast VF 6 and VF 7 can improve the calculation, but it is most important to verify the actual on-road cost and applicable offer terms before making a final decision.
Editorial Note: This article is based on a press release and information shared by VinFast. Vehicle specifications, warranty coverage, charging benefits, ownership offers and running-cost estimates are based on company-provided information and illustrative calculations.
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Raj Prajapati is a Senior Automotive Content Writer at AutoIndiaDaily. A B.Tech graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, he leverages over four years of experience covering Indian car and bike launches, EV tech, and market dynamics to break down complex automotive regulations into simple consumer guides. Specialising in Indian motor vehicle laws, IRDAI updates, and ownership costs, Raj translates technical auto policies into actionable advice for everyday drivers.