Petrol vs Diesel vs CNG vs EV — Which Fuel Type Is Best in India?

The question every Indian car buyer asks

Petrol or diesel? It used to be a simple calculation — diesel was cheaper per litre, so if you drove a lot, you bought diesel. Simple.

Now it is not simple at all. CNG has entered the picture for city driving. EVs are getting cheaper every year. And diesel cars cost more upfront, more to maintain, and the gap between petrol and diesel prices has narrowed in many states.

This guide breaks down every fuel type honestly — with real numbers, not manufacturer claims.

Petrol

Petrol is the default. It is available everywhere, cheap to maintain, and works well for cars driven under 15,000–20,000 km a year. The engine is simpler, repairs are cheaper, and resale values are strong.

The downside is fuel cost. At current prices, a petrol car running 1,000 km a month will spend roughly ₹6,000–8,000 on fuel alone, depending on mileage.

Diesel

Diesel was the smart choice for high-mileage drivers for over a decade. The fuel is cheaper per litre and diesel engines are more fuel efficient — sometimes 20–30% better mileage than an equivalent petrol engine.

But the economics have shifted. Diesel cars cost ₹1–2 lakhs more upfront. Maintenance is more expensive — fuel injectors, DPF filters, and turbochargers add cost. And if you are not driving 20,000+ km a year, you will never recover the price difference.

CNG

CNG is the clear winner for city driving right now. Fuel cost drops by 55–65% compared to petrol. The cars themselves cost only ₹50,000–80,000 more than their petrol equivalents — and that premium pays for itself within 6–8 months of regular driving.

The limitation is infrastructure. CNG stations are expanding fast, but in smaller cities or rural areas, they may still be sparse. Check your local coverage before committing.

Electric (EV)

EVs are the future, but the "right now" economics in India are mixed. Charging infrastructure is improving but still inconsistent outside metro cities. Electricity costs are low — running an EV costs roughly ₹1.5–2.5 per km — but the upfront price of EVs remains high compared to petrol or CNG cars.

For city driving with reliable home or workplace charging, EVs make strong financial sense today. For highway or inter-city driving, the infrastructure is not quite there yet.

Spoke pages coming soon

The guides below dig into the specific questions — the real cost of ownership over 5 years, whether diesel is worth it in 2025, and the EV vs petrol math.