Bhavish Aggarwal, the founder of Ola Electric, recently sparked a lively debate after saying that electric vehicles are “90% cheaper” than petrol vehicles. The statement quickly gained traction on social media, where many users questioned whether the comparison reflects what owners actually spend over the life of a vehicle.
Aggarwal later clarified that he was talking specifically about running costs. According to his breakdown, a petrol scooter typically costs around Rs. 2 per kilometre to run, while an electric scooter costs close to Rs. 0.2 per kilometre. On energy costs alone, that does translate into roughly a 90% saving.
The timing of the claim also helped it spread. Fuel prices remain unpredictable, and EV adoption is rising steadily, especially in cities. For many commuters, the idea of sharply lower daily costs is appealing. Still, critics argue that focusing only on per-kilometre energy costs tells only part of the story.
What the numbers actually show
When it comes strictly to energy consumption, electric scooters do have a clear advantage. Electricity is cheaper per kilometre than petrol in most Indian cities, even when home charging rates are factored in. For people who commute daily over short distances, this difference can add up quickly.
What the comparison leaves out
Where the debate heats up is around total ownership costs. Electric two-wheelers usually cost more upfront than comparable petrol scooters, even after government subsidies. That higher purchase price means it can take years before fuel savings fully offset the initial premium.
Battery life is another important factor. Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, and replacing them can be expensive. These costs were not included in Aggarwal’s calculation, which led many users to say the comparison overlooks long-term ownership realities.
Resale value further complicates things. Petrol scooters have a well-established second-hand market, making their depreciation relatively predictable. In contrast, resale values for electric scooters are still uncertain, largely because buyers remain cautious about battery health and replacement costs.
Accurate math, incomplete message
Most analysts agree that the running-cost math is broadly correct. Electric scooters are significantly cheaper to operate on a per-kilometre basis. However, presenting EVs as “90% cheaper” without clarifying that the figure applies only to energy costs risks creating unrealistic expectations for buyers.
The bigger picture
Electric vehicles do offer real savings in day-to-day use and support long-term environmental goals. But whether they are truly cheaper overall depends on how much someone rides, the purchase price, battery longevity, financing costs, and eventual resale value.
In short, EVs can be cheaper to run, but the full cost equation is more nuanced than a single headline number suggests.