With current Fuel prices, if you have the Question "My daily/monthly run is
XYZ km.
Should I go for Petrol or Diesel Car ?", then this post will help you. BTW,
I approximate and assume a lot, to simplify matters, but
, the estimate will be 70-80% correct. Read on.
Assumptions:
- Money saved in "buying a Petrol variant" is NOT invested, but spent on VACATION, PARTYING, JEWELRY for Wife etc. Poor Diesel wala can't party as he ain't having any money left.
- Maintenance cost is same for Diesel and Petrol variants (which is NOT).
- Petrol = Rs.70.76 / Lit --- Google result on 16-11-17
- Diesel = Rs.59.11 / Lit --- Google result on 16-11-17
- Fuel prices do NOT change for next 5 years (Cent. Govt. is laughing at me)
- Avg FE is 17.5 kpl for Petrol and 19.5 kpl for Diesel.
- Price difference between Top end Petrol and Diesel variants is Rs. 1,20,000/-
- Resale value of Diesel variant is Rs. 50,000/- MORE than a Petrol.
So, Rs. 70,000/- is the net difference, we need to break-even. Let us see Cases A to D below:
A. If car is run for 15,000 km per year (~ 40 km /day):
Exp on Petrol = 70.76 * (15,000/17.5) = Rs. 60,650/- Approx
Exp on Diesel = 59.11 * (15,000/19.5) = Rs. 45,470/- Approx
Money saved = 15,000 (approx).
Break-even period = 70,000 / 15,000 =
4.6 Years
B. If car is run for 20,000 km per year (~ 55 km /day):
Exp on Petrol = 70.76 * (20,000/17.5) = Rs. 80,850/- Approx
Exp on Diesel = 59.11 * (20,000/19.5) = Rs. 60,550/- Approx
Money saved = 20,000 (approx).
Break-even period = 70,000 / 20,000 =
3.5 Years
C. If car is run for 25,000 km per year (~ 68 km /day):
Exp on Petrol = 70.76 * (25,000/17.5) = Rs. 1,01,000/- Approx
Exp on Diesel = 59.11 * (25,000/19.5) = Rs. 75,750/- Approx
Money saved = 25,000 (approx).
Break-even period = 70,000 / 25,000 =
2.8 Years
D. If car is run 30,000 km per year (~ 82 km /day):
Exp on Petrol = 70.76 * (30,000/17.5) = Rs. 1,21,000/- Approx
Exp on Diesel = 59.11 * (30,000/19.5) = Rs. 90,950/- Approx
Money saved = 30,000 (approx).
Break-even period = 70,000 / 30,000 =
2.3 Year
My Thoughts:
Only "
ONE rupee per kilometer run" is saved using a Diesel car !!!
If your usage is 12,000 km to 15,000 km, and IF you are good in Stock Market or know how to rotate this Rs.12K to 15K, you might earn Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000/- per year as interest (out of the money saved, using Diesel).
If you are employed, the money saved will be most likely LEFT out in the Bank A/c and earn 4% interest rate --- Interest of
Rs 600/- on Rs 15,000/- principle. THAT's ALL.
However, I can say THIS about a Diesel car... you end up doing many a "last minute one-day trips", only because of Diesel's low running cost. Meaning your usage increases compared to a Petrol car and you end up spending more money on Fuel.
But, won't you agree with me that those "Happy trips spent with family are priceless" ???
Conclusion:
- If you are NOT used to driving a Good Diesel Car, and your yearly usage is less than 15,000 km, you have already wasted time in reading up to THIS. JUST GO BUY A PETROL CAR.
- If your yearly usage is less than 15,000 km, and if you are used to the torque of a Fantastic Diesel, and have overcome the "Petrol-Diesel dilemma", please tell me what you decided. I am searching for answer