The comparison people actually make
EV Tej vs a petrol scooter
Most buyers aren't choosing between two electric scooters. They're choosing between this and an Activa. Here is that comparison, including where petrol wins.
| EV Tej | Petrol scooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving licence & registration | Required for our 40–50 km/h models | Required |
| Tailpipe emissions | None | Yes |
| Insurance | Required once registered | Required |
| Engine oil | None | Changed at every service |
| Running cost | ₹0.25 per km | ₹2.56 per km |
| At 20 km a day | ≈ ₹150 a month | ≈ ₹1,530 a month |
| At 200 km a day | ≈ ₹1,500 a monthtwo full charges a day on the 45Ah pack | ≈ ₹15,330 a month |
| Servicing | No oil, chain or clutch | ₹1,000–2,000 a service |
| Moving parts | Very few | Many |
| Refuelling | At home, from any socket | 3 minutes at a pump |
| Range per fill | 50–120 km by pack | 200–300 km |
| Top speed | City speeds only | Highway capable |
| Noise | Nearly silent | Audible |
| Resale market | Small and new | Large and established |
| Best suited to | Up to 100–120 km a day45Ah pack | Any distance |
Assumes petrol at ₹115 a litre and 45 km/l, which is ₹2.56 a km, and electricity at ₹8 a unit including charging losses, which is ₹0.25 a km. Excludes insurance, PUC and servicing, which add further savings.
Three years of running cost
At 20 km a day, excluding purchase price and insurance, which both need.
Petrol — fuel₹55,200
InsuranceNeeded for both — not counted here
Petrol — servicing₹1,000–2,000 a service
EV Tej — electricity₹5,400
EV Tej — servicingFree year 1, then ~₹1,200
Saved on fuel alone over 3 years₹49,800
Where petrol genuinely wins
We're not going to pretend otherwise:
- Highway riding. Ours is a city vehicle. Don't take it on the ORR.
- Refuelling speed. Three minutes at a pump beats hours on a charger when you're in a hurry.
- Resale. The used market for petrol scooters is deep and predictable. Ours isn't yet.