Most Efficient Cars in India
Here are the top 10 most efficient cars in India based on their highway
fuel consumption (in km per litre).
Four different power sources are used. The top three are electric cars and use a calculated kilometres per litre equivalent figure. The next two vehicles built by Indian manufacturer Maruti are powered by compressed natural gas, then we have the Tata Nano with its tiny petrol engine, followed by the diesel cars.
While Indian car makers offer a good selection of efficient hatchbacks and sedans, some of the other categories of vehicle are largely occupied by the European manufacturers.
| Efficient Car |
Engine |
City km/L |
Hwy km/L |
| Tara Tiny |
3 kW peak |
87.0 |
87.0 |
| Bavina yc 1021 |
9 kW peak DC |
80.0 |
80.0 |
| Reva i |
13 kW peak AC |
28.9 |
28.9 |
| Maruti Zen Estilo LXI Green |
1.0L CNG |
20.5 |
26.3 |
| Maruti Wagon R LXI CNG |
1.0L CNG |
20.5 |
26.3 |
| Tata Nano |
0.6L petrol |
22.0 |
26.0 |
| Tata Indica |
1.4L diesel |
22.1 |
25.0 |
| Tata Indigo CS eVX |
1.4L diesel |
22.0 |
25.0 |
| Chevrolet Beat |
1.0L diesel |
20.5 |
24.0 |
| Toyota Etios Liva |
1.4L diesel |
20.3 |
23.6 |
ARAI fuel efficiency tests
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is responsible for conducting car fuel efficiency tests through the use of a standard protocol called the Indian Driving Cycle (IDC).
The IDC simulates a typical Indian journey over 10 km, travelling at an average speed of 31.6 kph. There are periods of cruising in top gear at speeds of up to 90 kph and periods of stopping and starting at lower speeds.
Exhaust gases are captured, analysed and a standard empirical formula is applied to the emissions to arrive at the fuel efficiency of the vehicles.