Let’s break this down carefully and realistically for India in **2026**, comparing **electric cars (EVs)** vs **petrol cars**. I’ll cover **purchase cost, running cost, and total cost of ownership**. I’ll also consider current trends and government policies. --- ### 1. **Purchase Price** - **Petrol cars:** Small hatchbacks (e.g., Maruti Alto, Hyundai Santro) cost around ₹5–8 lakh. Mid-size sedans/SUVs cost ₹10–20 lakh. - **Electric cars:** EVs are becoming cheaper due to falling battery costs: - Small EVs (like Tata Tiago EV / upcoming entry-level models) → ₹8–12 lakh.
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