EV Efficiency
Most commonly any talk about EVs is about range. And while that’s certainly important, we want to shift the focus to fuel efficiency. And yes, there is such a thing! Click here for charging speed information.
The industry talks about kilowatts used per 100 miles, which is just so far from anyone’s experience and difficult to truly understand, unless maybe you’re an electrical engineer.
We use miles per gallon when talking about internal combustion engine or ICE cars, so how about miles per kilowatt?
We offer this as part of our continuing efforts to simplify the latest in automotive technology as much as possible. And yes, we in turn are choosing to ignore miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe). It is a tortured stat meant to compare EVs to vehicles run on liquid fuels. It will be extinct soon enough.
The chart below is a translation primarily but not exclusively of work from ev-database.org, and I’ve linked their chart here. It’s in kilometers and the twisty kW per 100. I did a video as well that is also posted below, but here can be updated easily as improvements are made and new models are introduced. Note that our chart focuses on EVs available in North America while ev-database goes world wide and that the it can be expanded to show all entries.
Manufacturer | Model | Battery (kWh) | Range (mi) | Miles per kW (m/kW) | Fleet Ave. m/kW |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Renault | |||||
R5 | 52 kWh | 249 | 4.8 | 4.8 | |
Lucid | |||||
Air Pure / Touring | 88 | 336-348 | 3.8-4.0 | 3.8 | |
Air Dream | 112 | 405-419 | 3.6-3.7 | ||
Tesla | |||||
Model 3 | 58 | 252 | 4.3 | 3.7 | |
“ | 75 | 286-301 | 3.8-4.0 | ||
Model S | 95 | 348-357 | 3.7-3.8 | ||
Model Y | 58 | 218 | 3.8 | ||
“ | 75 | 258-270 | 3.4-3.6 | ||
Model X | 95 | 283-295 | 3.0-3.1 | ||
Hyundai | |||||
Ioniq 6 | 54 | 227 | 4.2 | 3.7 | |
“ | 74 | 273-308 | 3.7-4.2 | ||
Kona | 48 | 186 | 3.9 | ||
“ | 65 | 248 | 3.8 | ||
Ioniq 5 | 54 | 183 | 3.4 | ||
“ | 74 | 239-242 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Lexus | |||||
RZ300e | 71 | 266 | 3.7 | 3.6 | |
RZ450e | 63 | 200 | 3.5 | ||
Volkswagen | |||||
ID.7 | 86 | 323 | 3.8 | 3.5 | |
ID.7 | 77 | 292 | 3.8 | ||
ID.4 | 52 | 177 | 3.4 | ||
ID.4 | 77 | 249-255 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Honda | |||||
Prologue | 85 | 273-296 | 3.2-3.5 | 3.4 | |
BMW | |||||
i4 | 81 | 280-320 | 3.5-4.0 | 3.4 | |
“ | 67 | 267 | 4.0 | ||
i5 | 81 | 264-295 | 3.3-3.6 | ||
iX | 65 | 230-236 | 3.5 | ||
“ | 71-74 | 224-239 | 3.2 | ||
i7 | 102 | 314-323 | 3.1-3.2 | ||
iX | 105 | 301-314 | 2.9-3.0 | ||
Polestar | |||||
4 | 94 | 348-372 | 3.7-4.0 | 3.4 | |
2 | 78 | 255-273 | 3.3-3.5 | ||
3 | 107 | 292-305 | 2.7-2.9 | ||
Chevrolet | |||||
Bolt | 65 | 259 | 4.0 | 3.4 | |
Bolt EUV | 65 | 247 | 3.8 | ||
Silverado | 200 | 450 | 2.3 | ||
Kia | |||||
Niro | 65 | 239 | 3.7 | 3.3 | |
e-Soul | 39 | 143 | 3.7 | ||
“ | 64 | 230 | 3.6 | ||
EV6 | 74 | 224-255 | 3.0-3.5 | ||
“ | 54 | 190 | -3.5 | ||
EV9 | 100 | 280-286 | 2.8-2.9 | ||
Nissan | |||||
Leaf | 39 | 146 | 3.7 | 3.3 | |
Leaf e+ | 59 | 211 | 3.6 | ||
Ariya | 63 | 208 | 3.3 | ||
“ | 87 | 252-280 | 2.9-3.2 | ||
Porsche | |||||
Taycan models | 84 | 236-286 | 2.8-3.4 | 3.3 | |
“ | 71 | 230-236 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Macan | 100 | 310-381 | 3.1-3.8 | ||
Genesis | |||||
G80 | 83 | 274 | 3.3 | 3.2 | |
GV60 | 74 | 227-242 | 3.1-3.3 | ||
GV70 | 74 | 218 | 2.9 | ||
Volvo | |||||
EX30 | 49 | 174 | 3.6 | 3.2 | |
“ | 64 | 224-230 | 3.5-3.6 | ||
C40 | 66 | 221 | 3.4 | ||
“ | 79 | 249-261 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
XC40 | 66 | 214 | 3.2 | ||
“ | 79 | 242-252 | 3.1-3.2 | ||
EX90 | 107 | 280-289 | 2.6-2.7 | ||
Lotus | |||||
Eletre | 112 | 354 | 3.2 | 3.2 | |
Audi | |||||
Q4 e-tron | 52 | 239-264 | 3.4-3.5 | 3.1 | |
“ | 77 | 177-183 | 3.1-3.4 | ||
e-tron GT | 85 | 252-261 | 3.0-3.1 | ||
Q8 e-tron | 89 | 261-277 | 2.9-3.1 | ||
“ | 106 | 283-326 | 2.7-3.1 | ||
Fisker | |||||
Ocean | 105 | 326 | 3.1 | 3.1 | |
“ | 75 | 236 | 3.1 | ||
Acura | |||||
ZDX | 102 | 288-325 | 2.8-3.2 | 3.0 | |
Mercedes | |||||
EQS Sedans | 108 | 336-395 | 3.1-3.7 | 2.9 | |
EQS SUVs | 108 | 301-311 | 2.8-2.9 | ||
G-Wagon | 116 | 250 | 2.2 | ||
Ford | |||||
Mach-e | 91 | 264-298 | 2.9-3.3 | 2.9 | |
“ | 70 | 233 | 3.3 | ||
Lightning | 98 | 230 | 2.4 | ||
“ | 131 | 320 | 2.4 | ||
Vinfast | |||||
VF 8 | 88 | 264 | 3.0 | 2.8 | |
VF 9 | 123 | 323 | 2.6 | ||
Rolls Royce | |||||
Spectra | 102 | 260 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
The Rankings
So, I’ve ranked manufacturers by efficiency, based on the fleet average miles per kW. This is exactly what we’re used to using in ICE vehicles — fleet average miles per gallon. The miles/kW figures are derived simply by taking a vehicles range and dividing by the battery’s kWh size. Note that the numbers are rather small, which may be what drives the use of kilowatts per 100 miles, but they are still very telling.
Few models reach or exceed an efficiency of 4 miles per kilowatt. Further, those numbers are nearly all associated with smaller models and often with smaller batteries! For instance, the industry leader is Tesla’s Model 3 with the 58 kWh battery! A smaller battery weighs less and is thus more efficient, while lacking some range. The higher range Model 3 features a 75 kW battery.
*In fact a May, 2024 update finds a Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW! It now leads the list!
Overall, Lucid, Tesla and Hyundai lead with the most efficient fleets. Oddly, Kia in particular and Genesis as well fall short of their Hyundai cousins. Kia’s smaller vehicles should have it neck and neck with Hyundai, who’s offerings tend to be smaller as well.
Bigger batteries, while offering more range generally, are not a guarantee. Note that Vinfast’s VF 9 models holds a whopping 123 kWh battery, but only 323 miles in range and lands at the bottom of our list at 2.6 miles per kilowatt. This is a full 40% less efficient than the 58 kWh Tesla Model 3.
Speaking of big batteries, battery power trains are already heavier than their ICE counterparts. For example the Ford F150 Lightning weighs in at 2500 lbs more than the gas powered version. The battery alone in the upcoming Hummer is said to weigh 2900 lbs.
The hyphenated ranges and efficiencies are identical models most often with single vs dual motors. Single motor variants are always more efficient. In some cases there are adjustments that up the horse power as well, which then cuts into efficiency.
Note who’s missing from this list: Toyota/Lexus (since added)! Honda/Acura (since added). Mazda. Subaru (missed this one)! Stellantis (at work in Europe). Even those we’ve added remain well behind a changing landscape…
So we’ll keep an eye on that landscape. Expect to see battery chemistries get more efficient and to see weight reductions, also adding efficiency.
We also expect to see faster and faster charge rates — which is also an upcoming topic.
Updates:
- 8/21/23, Acura introduces a ZDX EV, but comes in near the bottom. Big battery, low average efficiency.
- 12/21/23, Rolls Royce Spectra added. Also a big battery and landed at the very bottom of the list…
- 1/21/24, Two Lexus models added. Just above the middle on the list.
- 2/3/24, Porsche Macan added, which moved the brand average from 3.2 to 3.3 m/kW.
- 5/21/24, Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW!
- 5/21/24, Honda intros the Prologue with an 85 kWh battery and nearly 300 miles of range.
- 5/22/25, the Mercedes adds the G-Wagon and drops fleet efficiency from 3.1 to 2.9.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Electric Cars, Autonomous Cars – They’re Just Cars!
An EV Is Just a Car
I have been pondering some items related to electric cars and autonomous cars, and in particular how messy even the automotive press treats these subjects.
Which is point one. While the development of autonomous cars is expanding seemingly in tandem with electric cars, they are in fact separate and distinct. More on that later.
The release of the Tesla Model 3 seems to be at the heart of the current news wave. So, while I love the direction that Tesla is taking the automobile industry and what I’ve seen of the Model 3, let’s remember that it is just a car.
It has four wheels, a steering wheel, a pedal or pedals, seating for a driver and passengers, etc. In the end, it’s just a car! The propulsion system is the only real change. The advantage with the Model 3 or any electric car is that an owner gets to leave home every day with a full tank of fuel, assuming charging can be accomplished there.
In the meantime, Chevrolet released its Bolt fully electric car and Nissan has updated the Leaf, already fully electric. And what does the press do? It compares the Bolt and Leaf to the Model 3! This is akin to comparing a Honda Civic to a BMW 3 Series. The only thing the Bolt and Leaf have in common with the Model 3 is battery power, period. Talk of range is in parallel to talk of fuel mileage. The Civic wins, but the BMW buyer couldn’t care less!
Where’s the Appeal?
That said, while the Civic outsells the 3 Series, the Model 3 will eat the Bolt’s lunch on style alone. Electric cars a not so mainstream that value purchasers are driving market volume. So until BMW or Audi or Lexus, etc releases a pure electric – not electrified – model that looks like it belongs to their family of cars, the Model 3 will stand alone.
Sorry BMW, while upcoming changes are a plus, the current i3 simply looks like a toy with a matching grill. Until value buyers begin opting for electric- rather than gas-powered cars in general, the Model 3 will outsell all comers.
Back to the Bolt, it is a step back for Chevrolet. The Volt looks like and is a wonderful, useful, attractive sedan. While it shares some styling cues from the Chevrolet line, the Bolt returns to what U.S manufacturers have done since the 70s when they’ve attempt to build a car ultimately aimed at saving gasoline – making them too small and too unappealing.
One would think that they had learned something from Tesla’s success and they’re own failures from the past.
Meanwhile, the Leaf is a definite step in the right direction for Nissan. It important to remember that the Asian market is far more important to them than the U.S. market and that the Leaf already sells well. Range anxiety is far less an issue overseas. That said, the restyle is far more appealing – the Leaf now actually looks like a Nissan – and sales will likely expand across the board.
Developments do point to the acceptance of electric cars. I ran across a wonderful quote in an article from Automotive News recently. It noted that Volkswagen founder Ferdinand Porsche had shown an electric car with motors in the wheel hubs at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. One hundred seventeen years ago! The suggestion was that the oil boom that occurred at about the same time set the current auto industry in motion (pun intended).
Ulrich Eichhorn, corporate research manager at Volkswagen Group is then quoted as saying: “If the technologies had been reversed, it would be hard to conceive an engineer now successfully proposing that combustion engines replace electric cars. Imagine that person would say, ‘Rather than having maximum torque available from the start like an electric car, it had to ramp up over time.’
“Imagine he then said it involved a device where thousands of tiny explosions occur every minute using a toxic and highly flammable liquid that had to be stored in the vehicle somewhere. And then imagine him saying that this fuel came almost entirely from crisis regions. What do you think his boss might have said to him?”
Oh an interesting question indeed.
Which brings me back to autonomous cars. In the middle of what was painted as a discussion about electric cars, I heard the following (it is paraphrased because I didn’t save the content): cars are like guns in the U.S., its freedom, don’t try and take them away.
This left me scratching my head until I realized that electric propulsion had been confused or paired with autonomous technology! The electric car, regardless of make and model, is still just a car. Just as the comparison of electric cars on range alone is a massive mistake, merging the rise of autonomous technology with electric propulsion also misses the mark.
Any move to force autonomous driving is decades off, assuming it ever occurs. But perhaps by then, jumping into the car to take a weekend drive without actually having to do any work at all will seem very, very appealing.
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY