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How much do you stand to save on an EV after GST reduction?

Government has proposed to slash GST on electric vehicles from the current 12 to 5 per cent.

In a welcome move, the government has proposed to slash GST on electric vehicles from the current 12 to 5 per cent. Early adopters also stand a chance of saving upto Rs 2.5 lakh in tax benefits if they opt for a loan on their EV. These are some significant reforms that are bound to give EVs a much-needed boost in the country. But are these changes convincing enough to make you pick an electric car over its petrol-powered variant? We find out.

For comparison, let’s take the Maruti WagonR-based EV, which is sold with an internal combustion engine but will soon have an electric powertrain alternative as well. Despite a significant performance deficit, the WagonR based-EV gets a more expensive price tag. However, the GST cut and income tax sops might be able to offset some of these expenses -- or would they?

Maruti WagonR ZXi AMT

Maruti WagonR-based EV

Price inclusive of GST (Ex-showroom Delhi)

Rs 5.91 Lakh

Rs 10 Lakh (expected price)

GST by current standards

18 per cent

12 per cent

GST after reform

18 per cent

5 per cent

Ex-showroom prices after GST reform

Rs 5.91 lakh

Rs 9.30 lakh

Even with the GST cut, the WagonR Electric is going to be more expensive by Rs 3.39 lakh. So do the income tax sops of upto Rs 2.50 lakh on loan amount savings help the WagonR-based EV’s cause and make it equally affordable? For that, let’s calculate the on-road prices of the two.

Tata Tigor EV

Maruti WagonR ZXi AMT

Maruti WagonR Electric

Ex-showroom Delhi price

Rs 5.91 lakh

Rs 9.30 lakh

RTO

Rs 25,000

Rs 0 (Also proposed)

Insurance

Rs 32,000

Rs 50,000 (estimate)

On-road Price without insurance

Rs 6.48 lakh

Rs 9.80 lakh

Down Payment

Rs 2 lakh

Rs 2 lakh

Loan amount

Rs 4.48 lakh

Rs 7.80 lakh

Total Interest payable

Rs 1.10 lakh

Rs 1.91 lakh

Yearly Interest

Rs 22,000

Rs 38,200

Loan EMI @ 9 per cent interest for 5 years

Rs 13,451 per month

16,192 per month

Tax benefit amount

Nil

Rs 38,200

Estimated savings (For those in the 30 % tax bracket)

Nil

Rs 11,460 (per year)

As we can see here, with the proposed sops for loans on EVs, you stand to save income tax on Rs 38,200 every year, with a loan of 5 years. Essentially, by introducing these sops you can use your EV loan as a tax saving investment and reap its benefit over the tenure of the loan. Think of it as something akin to the tax savings you get when you take a housing loan. While these gains aren’t big, we believe its a step in the right direction and should kickstart EV adoption in India.

Disclaimer: This article has not been edited by Deccan Chronicle and is taken from a syndicated feed. Photos: CarDekho.

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