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
To activate the push button ignition in your Karma, place the key fob against the side panel near the driver’s left foot with the buttons facing the pedals. The panel is marked (right). The vehicle will recognize the key and display a message on the instrument panel. Hold the key fob against the panel until you have depressed the brake pedal and the Start / Stop button. This is an awkward move but it puts the vehicle in drive mode.
Starting the Ocean is a little easier, as the back up position is easier to reach. Look for what looks like an interlocked FJ on the panel to the left of the steering wheel (right). You might be able to feel the location as well. Place the back of the fob against the mark. The instrument panel will announce that the fob has been recognized, but you will need to continue to hold the fob against the mark while starting the vehicle.
Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.
For the Karma model, press the button on the reverse of the key fob (remote control or ‘clicker’) and slide the emergency key blade or mechanical key free (right image).
which could make getting to the next step very difficult while an alarm is blaring.
Place the Fisker logo on the back of the fob against the light colored strip in the center of the driver’s door handle roughly where the arrow is pointing (right). It may need to be moved a half inch one way or the other. The handle will detect the key fob and will extend to the open position.
Fisker Customers Get the Pages They Need
A good 10 years ago, we put up a dead key fob page for Fisker Karma buyers. The Karma not so famously featured a key hole on the passenger door!
The car and the company went nowhere, so we took the page down a few years later.
Well, the company resurrected itself and released the Ocean, a full electric SUV. Problems with the car and problems with sales led to a shocking sell-off of the cars
at bargain basement prices and a company close to dissolution. From here it sure looks like its customers are soon to be abandoned, if they haven’t already been.
Well, we decided to give them at least a little help, returning the dead fob page while adding the back up process to the Ocean, and a symbols page.
Since the Karma is an electric like the Chevrolet Volt is an electric — that is with a gas engine to charge the battery on long trips — the page includes warning lights like a check engine light, an oil pressure light and engine overheat light. They don’t seem to fit, but actually do.
——————————————————————-
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