Electric Passenger 3-Wheelers vs. CNG Autos: Which Is More Cost-Effective?
Electric passenger 3-wheelers (e-autos / e-rickshaws) are everywhere on Indian streets — quiet, emission-free at the tailpipe, and increasingly affordable. Yet millions of CNG autos continue to serve passengers across cities because of their proven range, quick refuelling, and established service networks. If you’re a driver, fleet owner, or policymaker: which is actually more cost-effective right now? This article breaks the decision into the numbers that matter: purchase price, energy/fuel cost per km, maintenance, downtime & utilization, subsidies and incentives, battery lifetime and replacement, and the total cost of ownership (TCO) — plus practical recommendations for drivers and fleet operators in 2025. Quick answer (short summary) For most typical urban passenger duty cycles in India in 2025, electric passenger 3-wheelers are more cost-effective on a per-kilometre operating basis — thanks to much lower energy costs and simpler drivetrains — but the up-front purch...