When buying a car in India, selecting the right fuel type also impacts the buyer's monthly expenses and savings for a long time, or until the vehicle is replaced. There are multiple fuel options available in India, including petrol, diesel, CNG, Hybrid, and Electric, and each has its own pros and cons. Despite potential fuel expenses and savings, the impact of long-term running costs and future regulations also plays a role.  

 

It cannot be ignored that the Indian Government is focusing on offering attractive incentives to promote the adoption of EVs, and the impact of E20 petrol and diesel vehicles' engines is also driving the need for alternative fuel options, such as EVs and hybrids. Let's figure out which car best suits your driving needs.

 

Before you decide to buy the right fuel car, you should consider the following factors:

Daily/Monthly Mileage: If you need high mileage, consider a diesel or CNG vehicle to increase efficiency. Petrol or hybrid vehicles deliver low mileage.

 

Fuel Type	Real-World Mileage	Cost per Unit	Cost per km (₹)	Comparison: Cheaper Than Petrol/Other
Petrol	14-18 km/L	₹94.77/L	₹5.3-6.8/km
Diesel	18-22 km/L	₹87.67/L	₹3.98-4.87/km	25-40% cheaper than petrol
CNG	22-34 km/kg (avg 28)	₹76.09/kg	₹2.24-3.46/km	49-67% cheaper than petrol
Hybrid (HEV)	Equivalent ~20–25 km/L	₹94.77/L	₹3.8-4.7/km	30-45% cheaper than petrol
Electric (EV)	6-8 km/kWh	₹6.5/kWh	₹0.81-1.08/km	84-88% cheaper than petrol

Driving Pattern: Where you drive, like heavy stop-go traffic (more braking/acceleration) vs highway cruising (higher mileage), hilly terrain, mixed use (city, highways and rural roads).

 

Upfront (initial) cost (on-road price): The initial cost depends on the car's fuel type. Petrol cars are generally more affordable than diesel cars, while EVs and hybrids are more expensive than petrol cars.

 

Fuel/Charging Availability: CNG requires more frequent refuelling than other fuels, typically every 200-250 km, while EVs require local or en-route charging facilities.

 

Regulations & Resale: The Government's New Norms Restricting Older and Diesel Vehicles Affect Resale Value.

 

1. Petrol Cars: The Affordable All-Rounder

 

1. Petrol Cars: The Affordable All-Rounder

Petrol cars are the first choice for many drivers due to being the most affordable in terms of purchase and maintenance, with lower upfront costs and cheaper spare parts compared to other fuel types. The running cost is ₹7–9 per km (depends on mileage & petrol price).

 

Petrol Cars Engine Performance: A petrol engine offers less noise due to its refined design, which delivers smoother and quieter performance than a diesel engine. Petrol engines offer faster initial acceleration and a faster throttle response at higher RPMs. This is why sports cars and performance vehicles use petrol engines.

 

Petrol Cars Versatility of petrol cars: Petrol cars are the first choice due to being well-suited for a variety of driving conditions, city, highways, hilly areas, and stop-and-go city traffic. Petrol availability across India ensures a worry-free journey, regardless of whether you're in a town, on a highway, or in a hilly area.

 

Environmental Impact of Petrol Cars: Petrol cars are a significant source of environmental pollution. Petrol engines release greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), 2.3 kg/litre (about 120–150 g/km for modern cars), particulate matter (PM), negligible in port-injected petrol; slightly higher in GDI engines and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) 0.03–0.05 g/km (BS6) in higher quantities compared to older diesel cars, which also contribute to environmental pollution.

 

Pros of Petrol cars: Lower initial cost, easy and cheaper service, sufficient service stations, smooth & Quiet engine, and better suited for low-mileage users.

 

Cons of petrol cars: Higher running costs, lower mileage compared to diesel or CNG, and a higher price of petrol, as well as higher pollution.

Factor	Details
Best For	Low-mileage users, daily city driving
Running Cost	₹7-9 per km
Upfront Cost	Lowest among all fuel types
Maintenance	Low, parts easily available
Performance	Smooth, refined, but less torque
Pollution Impact	High CO₂ emissions
Key Limitations	Expensive to run for high mileage, poor resale value

2. Diesel Cars: The Long-Distance Champion

 

Diesel cars are designed for long-distance travel, offering higher fuel efficiency, increased torque, and improved pulling power, making them ideal for extended trips and hauling heavy loads. However, the diesel price remains lower than the petrol price.

 

Diesel Engine Performance of diesel cars: Diesel engines are generally more expensive to purchase in comparison to a similar petrol model of the same car. Diesel engines generate more torque, or pulling power, even at lower RPMs to carry heavy weights or tasks, such as towing, hauling, and climbing, than their petrol engine counterparts. These are specially designed to handle high compression forces, making them more robust and durable, and can last over 5,00,000 km.

 

Fuel-Efficiency of Diesel Cars: Diesel cars deliver 25-30% more fuel efficiency than their petrol counterparts on highways and are suitable for long-distance trips, enabling long-term savings on fuel costs and achieving a fuel efficiency of ₹5–7/km with modern mileage (17–22 km/l typical).

 

Maintenance of Diesel Cars: Diesel cars are generally more expensive than their petrol variants, and the costs of their complex components are higher. To keep your car on the road, it needs to be serviced at regular intervals. The expensive vehicle parts remain expensive, require more costly oil changes, and are more expensive to service; however, they last longer if properly maintained.

 

The Environmental Impact of Diesel Cars: A diesel engine releases fewer CO₂ emissions, at 2.6 kg/litre (approximately 130–180 g/km) and higher levels of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 g/km (even after BS6 controls), which are higher than those of petrol cars and contribute to smog, respiratory issues, and acid rain. They also produce higher levels of soot and ultrafine particles, which cause air-quality deterioration and pose a health risk. Still, the release of Particulate Matter is negligible (almost soot-free). However, modern BS6 fuel enables the reduction of sulphur but not the elimination of the issue. Let's say a diesel engine produces less CO₂ per kilometre compared to a petrol engine, is more fuel-efficient, but has higher NOx and particulate emissions. Tight emission standards are prompting a shift in engine emission control.

 

Pros of Diesel cars: Higher fuel efficiency, lower running cost, high torque output, better resale value, great for long-distance drivers, fewer emissions, and factory kits are now safer.

 

Cons of Diesel cars: Higher initial cost (1-2 lakh higher on-road price), higher maintenance cost, higher emissions, louder engine and less refined, Government restriction (10-year-old diesel cars are banned in Delhi-NCR).

 

Factor	Details
Best For	Highway drivers, long trips, high-mileage users
Running Cost	₹5-7 per km
Upfront Cost	₹1–2 lakh higher than petrol
Maintenance	Higher, repairs are costly
Performance	Strong torque, excellent for highways
Pollution Impact	High NOₓ and PM emissions
Key Limitations	10-year ban in NCR, higher noise, expensive upkeep

3. CNG Cars

Recently, car manufacturers have been focusing on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engine options, which are gaining popularity among budget-conscious or first-time car buyers due to their lower operating costs. Most cars are available with a factory-fitted CNG kit, offering a bi-fuel option that can be switched between petrol and CNG with just one button press, making them easy to drive and handle.

 

CNG Cars performance

CNG has a higher upfront cost (on-road price) for its factory-fitted variants than petrol cars. CNG cars produce 10-15% less power output and slightly weaker low-end punch than the same engine on petrol due to the lower energy density of CNG. CNG cars require starting initially on petrol and automatically shift to CNG after running 200-300 meters. Therefore, 4-6 litres of petrol are necessary for starting the car, as well as in the event of CNG runout. They are ideal for city driving but not for high-speed highway driving or heavy overtaking.

 

Versatility & Practicality of CNG cars: The CNG fuel station is still limited to major cities and highways, with very few stations available in rural areas or towns. However, the CNG running cost is ₹3-₹4/km, which is 40-50% cheaper than petrol, making it an attractive option for high-mileage seekers. The boot space is compromised due to the CNG cylinder installation, and provides limited space for luggage for families. The maintenance cost is similar to that of the petrol variant, but valve clearance check, filter replacements and leak inspection may be slightly higher.

 

Environmental Impacts of CNG cars: CNG cars produce 20-25% less CO₂,2.75 kg/kg of CNG (100–120 g/km), Nitrogen Oxides (NOₓ) 0.01–0.03 g/km and Negligible (almost soot-free) particulate matter, such as smoke and soot. However, CNG is a cleaner fuel option, but not "zero emission". CNG cars are ideal for 1000 km/month of driving, suitable for urban or suburban routes, with a focus on cost-saving fuel and lower emissions.

 

Pros of CNG cars: Lower running costs, environmentally friendly, Government incentives such as lower road tax and green number plates in some states, dual-fuel option, factory-fitted safer CNG kits, and suitable for city driving.

 

Cons of CNG cars: Lower boot space, performance dip, limited CNG refuelling stations, restricted to metro cities and highways, and very few in town areas.

 

Factor	Details
Best For	City commuters, cost-conscious buyers
Running Cost	₹3 – 4 per km
Upfront Cost	₹80,000 – 1.2 lakh higher than petrol
Maintenance	Moderate, CNG kit requires care
Performance	Lower pickup, reduced power output
Pollution Impact	Lower CO₂ and NOₓ than petrol/diesel
Key Limitations	Boot space loss, limited CNG stations

4. Hybrid Cars

Hybrid cars use two power sources: a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor, paired with a small battery. These are also known as Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs), Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). The MHEV 48-volt or similar battery pack cannot drive the car alone, but it can assist the engine during start-up, idling and acceleration. It charges automatically via regenerative braking, and it improves fuel efficiency by 5-15% compared to a non-hybrid vehicle.

 

Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV): HEVs are equipped with a larger electric motor and battery than MHEVs, allowing them to move the car at low speeds, such as in heavy traffic, without requiring engine start. Its intelligent system switches automatically between engine, electric motors or both as needed. Its battery is charged by regenerative braking, eliminating the need for external charging. It gives 25-40% better fuel efficiency than petrol, especially in urban areas.

 

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) utilises a larger battery and motor than a full hybrid, and its battery can be charged from an external charger, such as a socket or a home charger, providing a range of 30-80 km (or more) of pure electric range. After the electric range is depleted, the car operates as a regular hybrid, working in conjunction with the engine and motor. The running costs of hybrid cars are almost similar to those of petrol cars, at ₹5–7/km (varying by mode).

 

Environmental Impacts of Hybrid Cars:

A hybrid car produces 20-35% lower CO₂ 70–110 g/km (HEV); as low as 40 g/km (PHEV), significantly lower NOx & PM Far lower than pure petrol/diesel (depends on engine duty cycle), and slightly less than petrol, due to the combined use of an internal-combustion engine and an electric motor with a battery. This results in minimal Particulate Matter (PM), lower noise and heat, and reduced fumes.

 

Pros: Excellent mileage in city traffic, lower running cost, no range anxiety, smooth driving experience, and lower emissions.

 

Cons: Higher buying cost, limited models, maintenance cost similar to the petrol variant, but if the electric motors fail, repairs are expensive and the battery costs up to ₹1–2.5 lakh (though rare before 8-10 years); fuel is still required.

 

Factor	Details
Best For	Urban users, stop-go traffic, balanced drivers
Running Cost	₹5-7 per km
Upfront Cost	₹3 - 6 lakhs higher than petrol
Maintenance	Moderate, battery lasts 8–10 years
Performance	Smooth, fuel-efficient in city
Pollution Impact	Lower emissions vs petrol/diesel
Key Limitations	High purchase price, limited models

5. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

An Electric Vehicle runs entirely on battery power, promising ultra-low running costs, zero pollution, and a smooth and silent drive, but at a higher upfront cost, with a lifespan of 7-8 years or 1.5-2 lakh km (varies by manufacturer). Currently, the EV range window offers 150-550+ km on a single charge. Electric cars are gaining rapid popularity, especially with the 550 km range.

 

Electric Cars' performance: EV cars' motors produce 100% peak torque at 0 rpm, unlike petrol/diesel engines, which build torque gradually from 0 to 100 km/h. No gearshifts, and immediate throttle response for city traffic, along with a feature that reduces NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) by up to 40-45 dB, making the cabin silent while the ICE engine makes 60+ dB NVH. But EVs cap at 120-150 km/h to conserve range.

 

Fuel-Efficiency of EVs: EVs deliver 5–8 km/kWh for most mass-market models, typically cost ₹1–2/km when charged at home. It benefits most when running 20-100 km/day, charging at home or the office with a plug point or wall box, in frequent stop-start traffic where regenerative braking saves energy. EVs take a while, but have a higher upfront cost that is offset over the long term.

 

Versatility & Practicality of EVs: Electric vehicles now span hatchbacks, SUVs, sedans, and even pickup trucks, with manufacturers offering a range of options. From entry-level hatchbacks with 20-30 kWh battery packs providing 150-250 km of range, to premium SUVs with 70-80 kWh battery packs and driving ranges of 420- 500+ km. It can be fully charged at home in 8-10 hours from a 3.3-7.2 kW charger, and 30-60 minutes for 10-80% on most 30-50 kWh battery packs. Additionally, it takes less than 20 minutes to charge from a 150-350 kW ultra-fast charger.

 

Maintenance of EVs: EVs require less routine servicing than any other fuel car because they do not use engine oil, clutch, or exhaust system. Its battery needs to be checked at 15,000-20,000 km intervals, the cabin air filter at 10,000-15,000 km, tire rotation & alignment at 8,000-10,000 km, and coolant at every 5-7 years, depending on the OEM.

 

Environmental Impacts of EVs: EVs do not produce zero direct emissions of CO₂, NOₓ, SO₂, and PM while driving; however, during the manufacturing of EV batteries, there are still indirect CO₂ and SO₂ emissions at power plants. Over 1,50,000-2,00,000 km driven EVs emit 50-60% less CO₂ than petrol and diesel cars, even with coal-heavy grids. India is also focusing on battery recycling, which could cover 90-95% of lithium, cobalt, and nickel, and achieve 50% renewable power by 2030, becoming significantly cleaner.

 

Pros of EVs: Ultra-low running costs, zero tailpipe emissions, instant torque & smooth performance, low maintenance, Government incentives of up to ₹ 1.5 lakhs, and green number plates.

 

Cons of EVs: High on-road price (upfront cost), limited driving range, less charging infrastructure, long charging time from home charger, higher battery replacement cost (4-6 lakhs), and limited model options.

 

Factor	Details
Best For	Eco-conscious users, urban driving
Running Cost	₹1 - 2 per km
Upfront Cost	Higher than petrol/diesel, but falling with subsidies
Maintenance	Lowest (fewer moving parts)
Performance	Instant torque, smooth, quiet ride
Pollution Impact	Zero tailpipe emissions, depends on electricity source
Key Limitations	Charging infrastructure, range anxiety, long charging time

 

What types of cars primarily emit air pollution?

 

CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide): The main greenhouse gas cause global warming.

 

NOₓ (Nitrogen Oxides): Causes smog & ground-level ozone, leads to acid rain, asthma, lung irritation and reduced immunity.

 

PM (Particulate Matter, esp. PM2.5): Produced due to incomplete fuel combustion mainly in diesel engines, contributes to city smog and reduces visibility, and causes respiratory diseases, strokes and cancer.

Noise Pollution: Engine and exhaust noise, honking tyres, and road friction cause stress and hearing loss in urban areas.

 

Soil & Water Pollution: Oil leaks, brake fluid, coolant, and fuel spill runoff from roads is carried into soil and rivers, contaminating groundwater and drinking water. Lead, zinc, and copper enter the soil, harming agriculture.

 

Final word:

üChoose petrol car if you want affordability & low maintenance.

üChoose diesel car if you need long highways driving and need more torque.

üChoose CNG if need maximum mileage per km

üChoose hybrid if you want a premium mix of fuel efficiency & eco friendliness without range and charging anxiety.

üChoose EV if you required cheapest running cost, future-ready the and greenest option.