Flex-Fuel Bike vs Electric Bike: Real-Life Running Cost Compared

Electric motorcycles are gradually becoming a practical alternative to traditional commuters, thanks to their significantly lower running costs. With initiatives like the Delhi EV Policy 2.0 encouraging a faster transition to electric mobility, EVs are expected to become an increasingly common sight on Indian roads. At the same time, flex-fuel motorcycles like the Hero Splendor Flex Fuel promise an alternative to conventional petrol bikes by running on E85 flex fuel (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent petrol). 

But while E85 is cheaper than regular petrol, can it match the cost savings offered by an electric motorcycle?

To find out, we compared the Hero Splendor Flex Fuel against the Revolt RV1 over a five-year ownership period, assuming an annual running of 7,500km.

Purchase Price: Not A Huge Difference

The Hero Splendor Flex Fuel is priced at Rs 82,710 (ex-showroom, Delhi). After adding RTO charges and insurance, the bike costs Rs 95,446 on-road.

The Revolt RV1, meanwhile, carries an ex-showroom price of Rs 94,990. Since electric two-wheelers are exempt from road tax in Delhi, buyers only have to pay insurance, taking its on-road price to Rs 99,151.

That means the electric motorcycle costs only Rs 3,705 more than the flex-fuel Splendor.

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Running Costs: Electricity Still Comes Out On Top

Hero claims the Splendor returns around 70kmpl on E20 petrol. However, the manufacturer also claims that fuel efficiency will drop by around 30 percent when the flex fuel-compatible motorcycle runs on E85 fuel.

That brings the expected fuel efficiency down to approximately 49kmpl.

Covering 7,500km annually would therefore require around 153 litres of E85 fuel.

At an average E85 price of Rs 82 per litre (currently available only in Delhi and Maharashtra):

• Annual fuel cost: approximately Rs 12,550

• Five-year fuel cost: approximately Rs 62,750

On the other hand, the RV1 packs a 2.2kWh battery and delivers a claimed range of 100km per charge.

This translates to an energy consumption of 0.022kWh per kilometre. Assuming a residential electricity tariff of Rs 7 per unit, the running cost works out to around Rs 0.15 per kilometre.

For someone riding 7,500km every year:

• Annual charging cost: approximately Rs 1,155

• Five-year charging cost: approximately Rs 5,775

The Revolt will help you save nearly Rs 57,000 in fuel costs alone over five years.

Maintenance Costs: EVs Keep It Simple

Much like regular petrol bikes, or in fact even more, the Hero Splendor Flex Fuel will need periodic servicing. Here engine oil replacement, filters, spark plugs and other consumables might need to be taken into account a bit more than usual. 

For this comparison, we've assumed a five-year maintenance cost of Rs 25,000. An E20-compliant Splendor has a five-year maintenance cost of around Rs 20,000. According to this, the E85 bike will require more regular maintenance and, in turn, will be more expensive to maintain.

The Revolt RV1, meanwhile, has far fewer moving parts and does away with engine oil, clutch and gearbox maintenance altogether. We've estimated its maintenance cost at Rs 5,000 over five years, as an annual visit to the service for an electric bike will set you back around Rs 1,250.

Five-Year Ownership Cost Comparison

Total Savings: Around Rs 73,270

BikeDekho Says

The Hero Splendor Flex Fuel offers the familiarity, range and convenience that Splendor buyers have come to expect. However, when the numbers are added up, an equivalent electric motorcycle still enjoys a significant financial advantage.

Although the Revolt RV1 costs around Rs 3,700 more to buy, its substantially lower charging and maintenance costs quickly offset that initial premium. Over a five-year ownership period, the electric motorcycle can save owners around Rs 73,270 compared to the Hero Splendor Flex Fuel.

These calculations also don't account for future increases in E85 fuel prices. Factor in the convenience of charging at home and lower servicing requirements, and getting an electric bike makes a compelling case for riders whose priority is minimising their long-term commuting costs.