EV efficiency (kWh/100 km)
The electrical energy an electric vehicle consumes per distance, usually in kWh/100 km or Wh/km (Europe) or miles/kWh and MPGe (US).
EV efficiency is the counterpart of fuel economy. It depends on vehicle mass, aerodynamic drag (Cd x frontal area), rolling resistance, drivetrain efficiency, auxiliary loads (especially cabin heating) and driving speed. Because aerodynamic drag rises with the square of speed, EVs are most efficient in town and least efficient at high motorway speeds, the opposite of combustion cars.
miles/kWh = 62.14 / (kWh/100 km)
MPGe = 33.705 / (kWh per mile) (33.705 kWh = energy in 1 US gallon of gasoline)
Example: 16 kWh/100 km = 3.88 mi/kWh ≈ 131 MPGe
Typical consumption measured at the plug, including charging losses: small cars 13–16 kWh/100 km; mid-size sedans and crossovers 15–20; large SUVs and pickups 22–30 or more. Official WLTP values are often 10–20% optimistic versus mixed real driving; EPA figures are closer. In winter, consumption can rise 20–40% due to heating and battery thermal management; heat pump cabin heating reduces this penalty.
Distinguish battery-to-wheel figures (excluding 5–15% charging losses) from grid-to-wheel figures. Multiplied by grid carbon intensity, efficiency gives operating emissions: 17 kWh/100 km at 400 g CO2/kWh is 68 g CO2/km, versus about 150 g/km tailpipe for a 6.5 L/100 km petrol car.
Related terms
All terms →- Battery electric vehicle (BEV)
A vehicle propelled solely by electric motors powered from an on-board rechargeable battery, with no internal combustion engine.
- Well-to-wheel emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions of a vehicle from producing and delivering its energy (well-to-tank) plus using it in the vehicle (tank-to-wheel), per unit distance.
- Regenerative braking
Using an electric drive motor as a generator during deceleration to convert kinetic energy back into electricity stored in the battery.
- Carbon intensity of electricity
The mass of CO2 (or CO2e) emitted per unit of electricity generated or consumed, usually expressed in grams per kilowatt-hour (gCO2/kWh).
- Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
A unit of energy equal to one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour, or 3.6 megajoules; the standard billing unit for electricity.