How Much Your Daily Commute Actually Costs (Petrol vs Electric Bike)

For most daily commuters in India, the real expense isn’t the distance — it’s the fuel. Petrol prices continue to hover around ₹100–₹110 per litre, and even a moderate 15–25 km commute quietly drains money each month. This is one of the biggest reasons riders are now considering electric motorcycles. With low running costs, fewer moving parts, and the advantage of charging at home, EVs are reshaping the economics of everyday commuting.
In this blog, we break down the actual cost of commuting on a petrol bike vs an electric bike and explore why electric motorcycles are becoming the preferred choice for cost-conscious riders.

1. The Real Cost of Commuting on a Petrol Bike

Let’s assume a typical round-trip commute of 20 km per day, which is common in cities like Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

A 100–125cc petrol bike delivers roughly 45–55 km/litre in real traffic. Let’s take 50 km/litre as the average.

Cost Calculation:

• Petrol price: ₹105/litre (approx.)
• Mileage: 50 km/litre
• Cost per km: ₹105 ÷ 50 = ₹2.10 per km

Daily cost:

20 km × ₹2.10 = ₹42 per day

Monthly cost:

₹42 × 26 working days = ₹1,092 per month

Yearly cost (fuel only):

₹13,104 per year

Now add maintenance:

• Oil changes (3×/year): ₹3,600
• General servicing: ₹3,000
• Clutch / engine care: ~₹2,000

Total yearly maintenance: ₹8,000

Total yearly petrol commute cost:

₹21,000+

And that’s only if nothing breaks unexpectedly.

 

2. The Real Cost of Commuting on an Electric Bike

Electric bikes like the Oben Rorr EZ Sigma or Rorr EZ are powered by high-efficiency motors and long-lasting LFP batteries.

A full charge typically consumes 4.5–5 units of electricity.

Charging cost for 100%:

4.5 units × ₹8–₹10 = ₹36–₹45

Real-world range:

Thanks to LFP batteries and larger packs (up to 4.4 kWh), riders get 120–140 km in real conditions.

Cost per km:

₹45 ÷ 140 km = ₹0.32 per km (32 paise)

Daily cost:

20 km × ₹0.32 = ₹6.4

Monthly cost:

₹6.4 × 26 days = ₹166.4

Yearly cost:

₹1,997 per year

Maintenance is minimal because EVs have no engine, no clutch, no oil, no spark plug.

Yearly servicing is around ₹1,200–₹1,500.

Total yearly EV commute cost:

₹3,197–₹3,497

That’s nearly 85% cheaper than a petrol bike.

Explore how subsidies reduce buying cost for an Oben Electric bike: Electric Bike Subsidy in India

 

3. Factoring In Battery Life & Charging

Oben Electric’s LFP battery technology offers double battery life and higher heat resistance thanks to MHX Tech.

Charging options such as Oben Plug, Oben Port, and 1 lakh+ public charging stations (Oben Net) make daily commuting hassle-free:

 

4. Petrol vs Electric: Daily Commute Cost Comparison

Criteria	Petrol Bike	Electric Bike
Cost per km	₹2.10	₹0.32
Daily commute	₹42	₹6.4
Monthly cost	₹1,092	₹166.4
Yearly cost	₹21,000+	₹3,197
Maintenance	High	Low
Noise/Vibration	High	None
Emissions	Yes	Zero
Convenience	Fuel station visits	Home charging, Portable Charger, Charging Stations

Conclusion

Switching to an electric motorcycle is no longer about choosing sustainability — it’s simply the smarter financial decision. With annual savings of ₹18,000 or more, riders can recover most of their electric bike cost within a few years.

Check out Oben Rorr EZ Sigma and Oben Rorr EZ electric bikes with 175 km IDC range, 95 km/h top speed & 0-40 km/hr in just 3.3 seconds.