EV Running Cost Calculator — Petrol vs Electric Pakistan 2026
Pakistan’s petrol price hit Rs 381.78 per litre in June 2026 — and with it, the monthly cost of running a petrol car has become genuinely painful. A Toyota Corolla driven 2,000 km a month now costs over Rs 63,000 in petrol alone. An electric car covering the same distance costs Rs 15,000–16,000 on home electricity. The gap is now Rs 47,000–48,000 per month. This guide calculates the exact numbers — fuel cost per km, electricity cost per km, maintenance, and the full 5-year total cost of ownership for a real Pakistani example: the Toyota Corolla Altis vs the BYD Atto 2.
Current Fuel and Electricity Prices (June 2026)
| Fuel / Energy Type | Current Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol (92 RON) | Rs 381.78/litre | OGRA, June 2026 |
| High Speed Diesel | Rs 374.35/litre | OGRA, June 2026 |
| Home Electricity (residential) | Rs 50–70/kWh | NEPRA avg. slab rate |
| Public EV Charging | Rs 110–150/kWh | HUBCO Green, Shell EV |
| Solar (own rooftop) | Rs 5–10/kWh (effective) | Generation cost only |
Cost Per Kilometre — The Core Calculation
Petrol Car — Cost Per km
Using a Toyota Corolla Altis (1.8L) as the benchmark:
- City fuel economy: 10–11 km/litre
- Highway fuel economy: 14–15 km/litre
- Mixed average: ~12 km/litre
- Cost per km = Rs 381.78 ÷ 12 = Rs 31.82/km
Electric Car — Cost Per km (Home Charging)
Using a BYD Atto 2 as the benchmark:
- Energy consumption: ~15 kWh per 100 km (real-world city)
- Home electricity rate: Rs 60/kWh (mid-slab average)
- Cost per km = (15 × 60) ÷ 100 = Rs 9/km
Electric Car — Cost Per km (Public Charging)
- Public charger rate: Rs 130/kWh
- Cost per km = (15 × 130) ÷ 100 = Rs 19.5/km
Key insight: Even at public charging rates, an EV costs Rs 19.5/km vs Rs 31.82/km for petrol — a 39% saving. With home charging, the saving reaches 72%. With rooftop solar, driving effectively costs Rs 0.75–1.50/km.
Monthly Cost Comparison — Petrol vs Hybrid vs EV
Based on 2,000 km/month driving (typical Pakistani professional commuter):
| Vehicle Type | Example Model | Fuel Cost/Month | Maintenance/Month | Total Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol sedan (1.8L) | Toyota Corolla Altis | Rs 63,630 | Rs 5,500 | Rs 69,130 |
| Petrol sedan (1.3L) | Honda City 1.3 | Rs 53,025 | Rs 4,500 | Rs 57,525 |
| Mild Hybrid (1.8L) | Toyota Corolla Cross | Rs 47,722 | Rs 5,000 | Rs 52,722 |
| Full EV (home charging) | BYD Atto 2 | Rs 18,000 | Rs 1,500 | Rs 19,500 |
| Full EV (solar charging) | BYD Atto 2 + solar | Rs 1,500 | Rs 1,500 | Rs 3,000 |
Note: Petrol calculations use Rs 381.78/L. Corolla Altis: 12 km/L mixed. Honda City 1.3: 14.4 km/L mixed. Corolla Cross (hybrid): 16 km/L mixed. BYD Atto 2: 15 kWh/100 km, Rs 60/kWh home rate.
Maintenance Cost Comparison
This is where EVs win even more convincingly. Internal combustion engines have 2,000+ moving parts. Electric motors have fewer than 20. Here is the annual maintenance difference:
| Maintenance Item | Petrol Car (annual) | Electric Car (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + filter | Rs 12,000–18,000 | Not required |
| Air filter | Rs 2,000–4,000 | Not required |
| Spark plugs | Rs 3,000–8,000 | Not required |
| Brake pads (regen braking reduces wear) | Rs 8,000–15,000 | Rs 3,000–5,000 |
| Transmission service | Rs 5,000–12,000 | Not required |
| Coolant flush | Rs 3,000–6,000 | Rs 1,500–3,000 |
| Tyres (every 3 years) | Rs 40,000–80,000 | Rs 50,000–90,000 (heavier car) |
| Total Annual Maintenance | Rs 55,000–90,000 | Rs 15,000–25,000 |
The annual maintenance saving is Rs 40,000–65,000 on top of the fuel savings. Combined with fuel, you are saving Rs 600,000–700,000 per year by switching from a petrol Corolla to an electric car.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership — Corolla vs BYD Atto 2
| Cost Item (5 Years) | Toyota Corolla Altis | BYD Atto 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase Price | Rs 7,290,000 | Rs 7,290,000 |
| Home Charger Installation | — | Rs 60,000 |
| Fuel / Electricity (5 years × 24,000 km/yr) | Rs 3,817,800 | Rs 1,080,000 |
| Maintenance (5 years) | Rs 375,000 | Rs 100,000 |
| Insurance (5 years) | Rs 450,000 | Rs 575,000 |
| Token Tax (5 years) | Rs 125,000 | Rs 62,500 (50% EV discount) |
| Total 5-Year Cost | Rs 12,057,800 | Rs 9,167,500 |
| 5-Year Saving with EV | Rs 2,890,300 (Rs 28.9 lakh) | |
Assumptions: 24,000 km/year (2,000 km/month). Petrol held at Rs 381.78/L (conservative — actual prices likely rise). Electricity at Rs 60/kWh home charging. Insurance: petrol car 3.5% of value, EV 4.5% of value. Token tax at Punjab 2026 rates with EV 50% discount per EV policy.
EV Running Cost Calculator — Do It Yourself
Use this formula to calculate your own monthly savings:
Monthly Fuel Cost Formula
Petrol cost/month = (km/month ÷ km/litre) × petrol price
Example: (2000 ÷ 12) × 381.78 = Rs 63,630
EV cost/month = (km/month × kWh/100km ÷ 100) × electricity rate
Example: (2000 × 15 ÷ 100) × 60 = Rs 18,000
Monthly saving = 63,630 − 18,000 = Rs 45,630/month
Does Solar Power Make EVs Even Cheaper?
Pakistan’s solar installation boom in 2024–2026 has created a powerful multiplier effect for EV owners. A 5 kW rooftop solar system in Pakistan costs Rs 600,000–800,000 and generates roughly 20–25 kWh per day — more than enough to charge a BYD Atto 2 fully every night.
- Solar generation cost (amortised over 25 years): Rs 5–8/kWh effective
- BYD Atto 2 monthly charging cost with solar: Rs 1,500–2,000
- Monthly saving vs petrol Corolla: Rs 61,000–62,000
- Solar system payback with EV: under 14 months
If you are considering solar, an EV makes the investment even more attractive.
M-Tag and Toll Costs for EVs
Electric cars are not exempt from motorway tolls in Pakistan. You will still need to register for M-Tag for cashless motorway travel and pay standard toll rates. However, some provincial governments have waived or reduced token tax for EVs — check our token tax guide for the latest rates by province.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost per km for an EV in Pakistan?
With home electricity at Rs 60/kWh, a BYD Atto 2 consuming 15 kWh/100 km costs Rs 9 per km. At public charger rates (Rs 130/kWh), it is Rs 19.5/km. Compare to a petrol Corolla at Rs 31.82/km.
How much does it cost to charge a BYD Atto 2 at home in Pakistan?
The BYD Atto 2 has a 45.12 kWh battery. At Rs 60/kWh, a full charge from empty costs approximately Rs 2,707. This gives you ~300 km of real-world range — or about Rs 9/km.
How much can I save monthly by switching to an EV in Pakistan?
Based on June 2026 prices: switching from a Toyota Corolla Altis to a BYD Atto 2 saves approximately Rs 45,000–50,000 per month in fuel and maintenance combined (2,000 km/month usage).
Are EVs actually cheaper than petrol cars over 5 years in Pakistan?
Yes — even at similar purchase prices. The 5-year total cost of ownership for a BYD Atto 2 is approximately Rs 28.9 lakh less than a same-priced Toyota Corolla Altis when all fuel, maintenance, and tax costs are factored in.
What is Pakistan’s electricity rate for EV charging (WAPDA 2026)?
NEPRA’s residential electricity tariff in Pakistan ranges from Rs 20–70/kWh depending on consumption slab. The EV-specific commercial tariff at public stations is approximately Rs 39.7/kWh regulated rate, though operators charge Rs 110–150/kWh at fast chargers including their margin.
Is maintenance really cheaper for EVs in Pakistan?
Yes. EVs eliminate engine oil changes, air/fuel filter replacements, spark plugs, and transmission service. Regenerative braking also extends brake pad life by 2–3x. Annual EV maintenance is typically Rs 15,000–25,000 vs Rs 55,000–90,000 for a petrol car.
What is the break-even point for buying a more expensive EV?
If an EV costs Rs 1 million more than a comparable petrol car, and you save Rs 50,000/month in running costs, the break-even is just 20 months. For EVs in the Rs 7–9 million range comparable to petrol cars at Rs 6–8 million, the premium pays back in 2–3 years.
Does EV insurance cost more in Pakistan?
Yes — EV insurance premiums are typically 4–5% of vehicle value vs 3–3.5% for petrol cars, because battery replacement is expensive (Rs 10–20 lakh). This adds Rs 10,000–20,000/year to costs. See our car insurance comparison guide for the best EV insurance deals.
Conclusion
The maths are clear. At Rs 381.78/litre petrol and rising electricity accessibility, the monthly saving from switching to an EV in Pakistan exceeds Rs 45,000 for a typical 2,000 km/month driver. Over 5 years, that is nearly Rs 29 lakh in savings — enough to pay for much of the EV itself.
The only scenario where a petrol car wins on running cost is if you exclusively use public DC fast chargers (Rs 150/kWh), in which case EVs are only marginally cheaper. Home charging is essential to maximise EV economics in Pakistan.
Ready to make the switch? See our best EVs under Rs 10 million guide, and don’t forget to register your new car’s M-Tag for cashless motorway tolls.
