Every taxi buyer in 2026 faces the same fork in the road: stick with proven CNG, or switch to electric. Both cut fuel cost versus petrol, but they suit very different owners. This comparison breaks it down by the factors that actually decide profit — purchase price, running cost, range and resale.
Purchase Price
CNG wins on upfront cost. A used CNG hatchback or sedan taxi starts well under ₹3 lakh, while electric cabs — even used — carry a higher sticker because battery packs are expensive. If your capital is tight, CNG gets you earning for less.
Running Cost
- CNG: roughly ₹3.5–4 per km — excellent, and far below petrol or diesel.
- Electric: roughly ₹1–1.5 per km on home/depot charging — the lowest running cost of any taxi.
- Electric also has far fewer moving parts, so routine maintenance is lower over the vehicle's life.
Range, Refuelling & Routes
- CNG: quick 5-minute refills at any CNG pump — ideal for long daily distances and outstation runs.
- Electric: 150–300 km real-world range, best for predictable city routes where you can charge overnight.
- If your city has thin charging infrastructure, CNG remains the safer bet for uninterrupted earning.
- For fixed city aggregator shifts with depot charging, electric can dramatically cut cost.
Resale, Incentives & the Verdict
Electric taxis benefit from purchase incentives and lower long-term running cost, but resale is still maturing and battery health affects value. CNG has a deep, liquid used market and predictable resale. Verdict: choose CNG if you want low upfront cost, long-range flexibility and easy resale today; choose electric if you run fixed city routes, can charge reliably, and want the lowest possible per-km cost. Browse both on Buy Sell Taxi and match the vehicle to your routes.