True cost comparison: car ownership (EMI + fuel + parking + depreciation) vs rideshare (Ola/Uber/auto). See which saves more for your commute.
| Factor | Own Car | Rideshare (Ola/Uber/Auto) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fixed Cost | High — EMI + insurance + maintenance | Zero — pay only when you travel |
| Parking (Metro) | ₹3,000–₹8,000/month | Zero |
| Depreciation | ~15–20% per year of car value | Not your asset — zero depreciation |
| WFH / Leave Days | You pay fixed costs even on off days | Zero cost on days you don't travel |
| Comfort & Flexibility | Full control — go anywhere anytime | Surge pricing, availability risk |
| Traffic Stress | You drive — high fatigue | Passenger — zero stress |
| Best For | Long commute (25km+), family trips, own schedule | City commute <20km, hybrid WFH, students |
Own car in Indian metros has hidden costs adding up to ₹20,000–₹35,000/month: EMI, fuel, insurance, maintenance, parking and depreciation. For typical office commuters doing 15 km each way with hybrid WFH, cabs are often cheaper.
At high annual mileage — above 20,000–25,000 km/yr. Also when you have a family requiring multiple daily trips, live in a poorly connected area, or commute more than 25 km one way daily.
A ₹10L car depreciates roughly ₹1.5–2L in year 1 (15–20%) and ₹1–1.5L per year thereafter. Over 5 years, you lose ₹5–7L purely to depreciation — this is the most overlooked cost of car ownership.
Tax changes, rate updates — free.