State-Wise EV Charging Cost Comparison: Cheapest Places to Charge in India

As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow in the country, one of the main concerns that bothers both existing owners and future buyers is how much it actually costs to charge an electric vehicle.

Understanding the real cost of charging an electric vehicle is important in determining the overall cost benefit.

EV charging is an essential component of owning an electric vehicle, available in many methods to accommodate a variety of consumer needs and lifestyles.

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Electric vehicles can be conveniently charged at home, eliminating the need to search for nearby charging stations.

While a full charge at home may take several hours, it is both convenient and more affordable, as it is based on domestic electricity tariffs.

On the other hand, public fast-charging stations offer rapid charging, reducing the total charging time to just 20 to 30 minutes. However, this convenience comes at a higher price, as it involves commercial electricity tariffs along with additional charges such as taxes and network service fees.

Regardless of the charging method, cost remains a significant concern.

Charging rates in metropolitan areas are often higher than in rural regions due to greater demand and higher operational costs.

Although electricity prices vary across the country, the overall cost of charging an EV remains considerably lower than refuelling with petrol or diesel.

The total charging expense generally depends on the region, local electricity tariffs, and the type of charging station used.

In this article, we will explore and analyse EV charging costs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bangalore—three key regions in India known for their expanding charging infrastructure and high EV adoption.

We will compare home charging and public charging rates in these areas and examine the key factors that influence overall charging costs.

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COST OF CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT HOME

Electric vehicles can conveniently be charged overnight using a dedicated EV charging station installed at home.

When charging your EV at home, the cost depends on your state’s electricity rate and the vehicle’s battery capacity.

Here’s a breakdown of domestic electricity rates per kWh for Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bangalore:

• Maharashtra: ₹11.82 per kWh

• Bangalore: ₹8.15 per kWh

• Gujarat: ₹5.20 per kWh

The battery capacity of electric two-wheelers typically ranges between 2 kWh and 4 kWh, depending on the model.

Entry-level scooters usually come with 2 kWh batteries, while higher-end models like the TVS iQube, Ola S1 Pro, and Bajaj Chetak Electric are equipped with 4 kWh batteries for enhanced performance.

Estimated cost to fully charge an electric two-wheeler:

• Maharashtra: ₹24 to ₹47

• Bangalore: ₹16 to ₹33

• Gujarat: ₹10 to ₹21

In contrast, most electric four-wheelers—such as the Tata Nexon EV and Mahindra XEV 9e—have battery capacities ranging from 20 to 40 kWh.

Estimated cost to fully charge an electric four-wheeler:

• Maharashtra: ₹472 to ₹600

• Bangalore: ₹326 to ₹400

• Gujarat: ₹208 to ₹400

In conclusion, fully charging an electric two-wheeler at home would cost between ₹10 and ₹47, while charging an electric four-wheeler could cost between ₹208 and ₹600, depending on the location.

Home Charging Cost Comparison (by State & Vehicle Type)

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COST of CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A PUBLIC CHARGING STATION

Electric vehicles can also be charged at public charging stations, which offer speed and convenience through fast and premium chargers.

However, this convenience comes at a higher cost due to infrastructure and maintenance expenses.

That said, the growing availability of public chargers is gradually bringing more competitive pricing to different regions.

Here’s a breakdown of commercial electricity tariffs per kWh at public charging stations in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Bangalore:

• Maharashtra: ₹7 to ₹15 per kWh

• Bangalore: ₹6 to ₹10 per kWh

• Gujarat: ₹4 to ₹10 per kWh

Across India, the average public charging rate typically ranges from ₹4 to ₹15 per kWh, excluding additional charges.

NOTE: These costs reflect only the base energy rate. Additional charges such as taxes, service fees, parking, and network access may apply based on location, energy provider, and charging network.

Estimated cost to fully charge an electric two-wheeler at a public charging station:

• Maharashtra: ₹14 to ₹60

• Bangalore: ₹12 to ₹40

• Gujarat: ₹8 to ₹40

Estimated cost to fully charge a 40 kWh electric four-wheeler:

• Maharashtra: ₹280 to ₹600

• Bangalore: ₹240 to ₹400

• Gujarat: ₹160 to ₹400

In summary, charging a 40 kWh electric vehicle at a public station would cost between ₹160 and ₹600.

This is generally more economical than fueling traditional petrol or diesel vehicles.

For example, charging a car in Gujarat costs around ₹160 to ₹400, whereas in Maharashtra it may range from ₹280 to ₹600.

Public Charging Cost Comparison (by State & Vehicle Type)

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State-Wise EV Charging Cost Comparison (2W & 4W)

Maharashtra

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Bangalore

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Gujarat

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Top 6 Factors Influencing EV Charging Rates

Unlike filling up a petrol or diesel vehicle, EV charging requires electricity units and energy infrastructure.

Let’s look at the main factors that influence the cost of charging an electric vehicle as well.

1. Electricity Cost:

The cost of electricity significantly influences the charging cost of an EV. The price per unit of electricity varies across states all over India.

It is important to take into account the local electricity tariff when calculating charging costs.

2. Type of Charging:

Home Charging: This is the most ideal option, also the least expensive one, usually done overnight using a dedicated EV charging station installed at your home. Convenient, however, slower may take several hours to fully charge. Read more about Level 1 vs. Level 2 EV Charging Speed, Efficiency, and Cost.

Public AC Charging Stations: These stations offer faster charging than home chargers but have slightly higher costs per unit. Slightly expensive but can charge an EV rather quicker and faster, often within an hour or two.

DC Fast Charging Stations: These stations offer the fastest charging option, but are the most expensive option due to their much higher rates. Fast charging rates are higher based on the variation in source power cost and charging capital cost involved in owning a DC fast charger.

Additionally, it is much difficult to determine the costs of public charging facilities compared to home-based charging because charging networks differ in cost and availability across the nation.

3. Battery Capacity and Usage:

The overall charging cost mainly depends on the battery size of the EV and its usage patterns. A larger battery or more frequent charging will cost more.

4. Pricing Models:

Public charging stations have various pricing models, including pay-per-use, membership-based or a mix of both. They charge based on:

Per kWh: This is the most widely used method. The cost per kWh varies from ₹6 to ₹15 depending on the service provider and area.

Per minute: Some EV stations charge based on the amount of time spent on charging, for fast chargers in particular. Rates generally range from ₹2 to ₹5 per minute.

5. Government Policies:

Government incentives or subsidies can also directly or indirectly impact the overall cost of charging, and these policies might be altered over time in the future.

6. Membership Plans and Discounts:

Certain charging networks provide membership plans that help reduce charging costs, usually charging a monthly or yearly fee for special access to their charging stations.

While others might provide special rates or discounts for a limited time to lower charging expenses.

It is crucial to remember that certain charging stations could charge extra, in addition to the charging fees, for things like connectivity, parking or session fees.

These fees can differ and be imposed differently based on the network or location.

Electricity rates may also vary greatly depending on the region; therefore, it is best to verify with the specific charging station for detailed cost information.

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Final Thoughts

When comparing the overall costs of charging an electric vehicle, home charging remains the cost-effective and affordable option, whereas public charging provides speed and convenience.

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In conclusion, public charging stations usually have higher tariffs than charging at home.

Even though power rates and energy costs vary by region, charging an EV is still more affordable than purchasing petrol or diesel for an ICE vehicle.

Determining the exact cost of public fast-charging facilities can be really difficult compared to home-based charging. This is because charging networks nationwide differ in cost, speed and availability.

Despite this, EVs continue to remain a greener, more sustainable and affordable option to ICE vehicles.

The cost of charging an electric vehicle is much cheaper than filling up an ICE in India when comparing expenses for equal distances, making EVs much more suitable for adoption. Read more – This Electric Car Saved its Owner Rs 18 lakh in 2 years (by driving 5.8 lakh kilometres)

The actual savings, however, vary depending upon charging patterns, vehicle and battery performance, and local fuel and electricity costs.