Fuel prices up again: what an electric three-wheeler really costs to run in Sri Lanka
Another fuel price hike has squeezed three-wheeler drivers, while fares stay unchanged. Here is how to work out what an electric three-wheeler costs per kilometre — using your own electricity tariff.
When fuel prices rose again in mid-2026, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ and Owners’ Association announced that fares would stay unchanged. For drivers that means one thing: every rupee of the increase comes straight out of their daily income.
That is why more owners are asking a simple question — what does an electric three-wheeler actually cost to run? Garudan’s own figures put it at about Rs. 12,000 of electricity for around 5,500 km a month, roughly Rs. 2.2 per kilometre. Your exact cost depends on your electricity tariff, but the maths is easy to check yourself.
Start with the battery. The Neptune Electric Three Wheeler carries a 20 kWh LiFePO4 battery and is rated for 250–300 km per full charge. Divide one by the other and you get roughly 0.07–0.08 kWh of electricity per kilometre. Multiply that by the per-unit rate on your electricity bill and you have your energy cost per kilometre — then compare it with your current fuel spend for the same distance.
Charging does not need special infrastructure. Neptune uses an on-board charger with a 32 A AC socket that runs on a standard, properly earthed 220–240 V household supply. A normal charge from 20% to 100% takes about 6 hours, so most drivers simply charge overnight at home.
Running costs are not only about energy. An electric drivetrain has no engine oil, spark plugs or clutch to replace. Neptune’s maintenance schedule focuses on checks — tyre pressure weekly, brakes monthly, motor and wiring connections every six months — plus scheduled services at an authorised Garudan service dealer.
Before you switch, compare like with like: your daily distance, where you will charge, and the total cost of ownership over several years, not just the purchase price. Our team can help you run the numbers for your own routes.
