---
title: "EV Charging Cost Per Unit in India | Complete Guide"
slug: "ev-charging-cost-per-unit-in-india-complete-guide-qqz8"
author: "ujwal singh p"
published_at: "2026-08-14"
canonical_url: "https://sonarev.com/blog/ev-charging-cost-per-unit-in-india-complete-guide-qqz8"
tags: []
excerpt: "EV Charging Cost Per Unit in India In India, electricity is billed in units, where 1 unit = 1 kWh (kilowatt-hour). The cost to charge an electric vehicle per un"
ai_friendly: true
publisher: "Sonar.ev (https://sonarev.com)"
---
# EV Charging Cost Per Unit in India | Complete Guide
> **Summary:** EV Charging Cost Per Unit in India In India, electricity is billed in units, where 1 unit = 1 kWh (kilowatt-hour). The cost to charge an electric vehicle per un
> **Author:** ujwal singh p | **Published:** 2026-08-14
> **Canonical Post:** https://sonarev.com/blog/ev-charging-cost-per-unit-in-india-complete-guide-qqz8
---
<section class="ev-charging-cost">
<h2>EV Charging Cost Per Unit in India</h2>
<p>
In India, electricity is billed in <strong>units</strong>, where
<strong>1 unit = 1 kWh (kilowatt-hour)</strong>.
</p>
<p>
The cost to charge an electric vehicle per unit varies significantly
depending on whether you charge at home, use a dedicated EV sub-meter,
or use a public DC fast-charging network.
</p>
<h2>1. Average Cost Per Unit (kWh) Across Charging Types</h2>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Charging Mode</th>
<th>Typical Cost per Unit (₹/kWh)</th>
<th>Billing Structure</th>
<th>Primary Use Case</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Home Domestic AC</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹4.50 – ₹9.00</strong></td>
<td>Normal household slab tariff</td>
<td>Overnight 3.3 kW / 7.4 kW charging</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Home Dedicated EV Meter</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹4.50 – ₹6.50</strong></td>
<td>Single flat EV tariff set by state DISCOM</td>
<td>Dedicated LT EV connection</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Public AC (Destination)</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹8.00 – ₹15.00</strong></td>
<td>Energy rate + CPO service fee + 5% GST</td>
<td>Malls, offices, hotels (7.4 kW – 22 kW)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Public DC Fast Charging</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹16.00 – ₹25.00</strong></td>
<td>Energy rate + high-power fee + 5% GST</td>
<td>Highway hubs (30 kW – 120+ kW)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h2>2. Dedicated State DISCOM EV Tariffs</h2>
<p>
State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) may provide special
<strong>Low Tension (LT) EV tariff</strong> categories for residential
and commercial EV charging connections.
</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>State / DISCOM</th>
<th>Indicative Energy Charge (₹/kWh)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Delhi (BSES / TPDDL)</td>
<td>₹4.50 / unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gujarat (UGVCL / DGVCL)</td>
<td>₹4.10 / unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Karnataka (BESCOM)</td>
<td>₹5.00 – ₹5.80 / unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maharashtra (MSEDCL)</td>
<td>₹6.08 / unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kerala (KSEB)</td>
<td>₹5.50 / unit</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Uttar Pradesh (UPPCL)</td>
<td>₹5.50 / unit</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>
<em>
Note: Fixed charges, fuel adjustment surcharges (FPPCA), and state
electricity taxes may apply depending on the local electricity utility.
</em>
</p>
<h2>3. How to Calculate Total EV Charging Cost</h2>
<p>
During charging, some energy is lost through AC-to-DC conversion,
battery heating and other charging processes. A practical estimate is
that charging efficiency may be around <strong>88%</strong>, although
actual efficiency varies by vehicle, charger and conditions.
</p>
<p>
Therefore, the electricity drawn from the grid can be slightly higher
than the energy stored in the battery.
</p>
<div class="formula-box">
<p>
<strong>Grid Units Consumed (kWh)</strong>
=
Energy Added to Battery (kWh)
÷
Efficiency Factor
</p>
<p>
<strong>Total Session Cost (₹)</strong>
=
Grid Units Consumed
×
Rate per Unit
</p>
</div>
<h3>Example: Charging a 40 kWh Battery from 20% to 80%</h3>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Energy needed in battery:</strong>
40 kWh × 60% = 24 kWh
</li>
<li>
<strong>Estimated grid draw with losses:</strong>
24 kWh ÷ 0.88 ≈ 27.27 units
</li>
<li>
<strong>At home (@ ₹7.00/unit):</strong>
27.27 × ₹7.00 ≈ <strong>₹191</strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>At a public DC fast-charging station (@ ₹21.00/unit):</strong>
27.27 × ₹21.00 ≈ <strong>₹572</strong>
</li>
</ul>
<h2>4. EV Charging Cost Per Kilometre & Monthly Running Comparison</h2>
<p>
Consider an EV efficiency of approximately
<strong>7 km per kWh</strong> and a monthly driving distance of
<strong>1,200 km</strong>.
</p>
<div class="table-responsive">
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Fuel / Charging Option</th>
<th>Rate Metric</th>
<th>Cost Per Kilometre</th>
<th>Monthly Cost (1,200 km)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Home EV Charging</strong></td>
<td>₹7.00 / unit</td>
<td><strong>₹1.00 – ₹1.15 / km</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹1,200 – ₹1,380</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Public Fast DC Charging</strong></td>
<td>₹21.00 / unit</td>
<td><strong>₹3.00 – ₹3.40 / km</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹3,600 – ₹4,080</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Petrol Car (14 km/L)</strong></td>
<td>₹102.00 / litre</td>
<td><strong>₹7.28 / km</strong></td>
<td><strong>₹8,736</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<blockquote>
<strong>Annual Savings:</strong>
Charging primarily at home can potentially save
<strong>₹85,000+</strong> per year compared with an equivalent petrol
vehicle under these illustrative assumptions.
</blockquote>
<h2>Key Takeaway</h2>
<p>
EV charging costs depend on the electricity tariff, charging location,
charger type, vehicle efficiency and applicable fees. Home charging is
generally more economical, while public DC fast charging offers greater
convenience and speed for long-distance travel.
</p>
</section>