EV Owner No Return to Petrol
Ravish Kumar
·
11-06-2026
Hello, Lykkers!After three years of living with an electric vehicle, I find that the thought of going back to a petrol car feels almost absurd.
It is not just about the driving experience, but the entire ownership landscape that has shifted beneath my feet. The first thing that strikes me every morning is convenience.
Plugging in at home means I wake up with a full battery every day, just like charging a phone. No more detours to service stations, no more checking fuel levels on a cold morning. The routine is seamless, and the quiet starts are a daily pleasure.
Running Costs That Surprise You
The financial argument is hard to ignore. Over three years, my electricity costs have averaged around a quarter of what I used to spend on petrol. Servicing is also remarkably cheaper because there is no engine oil, no timing belt, no exhaust system, and no spark plugs to replace.
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The only regular check involves tyre rotations and brake fluid, which last far longer due to regenerative braking. I have saved roughly 40 percent in total maintenance costs compared to my previous car.
Driving Dynamics That Feel Wrong to Give Up
The instant torque is addictive. There is no waiting for revs to build or for a transmission to downshift. The response is immediate and linear, making merging onto highways or overtaking a swift, confident maneuver. The low center of gravity from the battery pack gives the car planted, balanced handling that many petrol sedans cannot match.
What is often called the "silent ride" is not just about sound, but about smoothness. There is no vibration, no gear shift jolt, no engine drone at a steady cruise.
Range and Charging No Longer Scare Me
Early concerns about range anxiety have faded quickly. With a real-world range of about 350 kilometers on a full charge, my daily commute and errands are covered three or four times over.
For longer trips, the public charging network has grown reliably dense. I plan a coffee stop while the car gains 200 kilometers of range in under 20 minutes with a rapid charger. The key is that I rarely charge away from home except for road trips, and even then the stops fall naturally into breaks I would take anyway.
The Little Things That Add Up
Cabin features become more meaningful in an EV. Because there is no engine heat, the climate control works more efficiently, and I can pre-cool or preheat the car while it is still plugged in without wasting fuel. The extra interior space from not having a transmission tunnel makes the back seat feel roomier.
And the fact that I never have to smell petrol on my hands or hear a loud cold start in the morning is a subtle but real quality-of-life improvement.
Why I Could Not Go Back
The biggest reason is that the entire mindset has changed. Driving a petrol car now feels comparatively primitive. The constant engine noise, the odor of fuel, the vibration through the steering wheel, and the recurring visits to the pump. I notice the lag in acceleration, the heat from a running engine even in winter, and the need to baby the gearbox. It is not that petrol cars are bad. They simply feel like a different era of engineering.
So, Lykkers, if you are considering the shift, I would say try living with an EV for a couple of weeks. The savings and the quiet confidence behind the wheel may convince you faster than you expect. Once you go electric, there really is no easy way back.